IF MORE AMERICANS KNEW where their food came from it is likely obesity would be over.

It really gets ridiculous when inaccurate nicknames cause some tummies to churn and the state’s agriculture commissioner, Gary Black, has to jump in and caution consumers they will pay more for less nourishment if they refuse to touch so-called “pink slime.” A U.S. Agriculture Department employee actually coined the term years ago in an email for what is “textured beef” — a perfectly safe, all-natural processed beef product that is added to hamburger to make it leaner ... and less expensive ... and loses less in fat sizzling away so consumers get more to eat for their money.

Such nicknames could be attached to lots of things with negative reactions.

Want slimy? How’s about bacon ... striped slugs. Maybe Vidalia onions should be nicknamed wormy play pals for their neighbors in the fields.

This falls into the category of it not being smart to watch sausage being made ... just enjoy what’s on the biscuit. And if “pink slime” is upsetting, don’t ever, ever ask what’s in a hot dog.

If we are all what we eat, then vegetarians who insist on organic produce are made of cow manure and chicken crap. Which, frankly, makes “pink slime” sound almost appetizing.