Ground Beef PSA Reaches an Estimated 68.8 Million Viewers

America’s beef producers are continuing to build stronger consumer confidence in U.S. beef through a checkoff-funded public service announcement (PSA) aired on local television stations across the country.  The “Safe Burgers; Great Burgers” PSA illustrates how to buy and prepare ground beef properly and has reached an estimated 68.8 million viewers throughout the United States.

Since broadcast of the PSA began in April, 62 television stations, including ones in New York City and Los Angeles, have aired the release, obtaining an air time value of more than $385,000. The PSA production was funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, which is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and was coordinated on behalf of the Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“Ground beef is one of America’s favorite foods, especially burgers on the grill,” said Jim Little, a beef producer from Idaho, Cattlemen’s Beef Board member and chairman of the industry’s Joint Information Committee. “This ‘Safe Burgers; Great Burgers’ PSA lets families know they can enjoy delicious and safe burgers all season long.”

The PSA instructs consumers to buy ground beef that is cherry red in color, and to refrigerate or freeze the ground beef immediately upon arriving home. Ground beef patties should also be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit until no pink remains, the PSA explains. An instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the burger is the best method for determining doneness of burgers.