3 reporters for online food safety publication subpoenaed in $1.2 billion 'pink slime' lawsuit

Three reporters for a food safety publication have been subpoenaed in the $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC related to the network's coverage of a meat product derided as "pink slime."

Court records show that the writers for the online Food Safety News have been asked to supply all communication they had with ABC in 2012.

Attorney Bruce Johnson said Tuesday that the subpoenas were "overreaching" and that the publication would fight the requests.

Beef Products Inc. sued ABC in 2012 alleging that its reports led to plant closures and layoffs because it misled consumers into believing the product was unsafe. The industry describes the meat product as "lean, finely textured beef."

Attorneys for ABC and BPI have proposed a trial date in February 2017.