A lawsuit a former Beef Products Inc. worker filed against ABC News and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver over the use of the term "pink slime" has been moved to federal district court.

Bruce Smith was one of about 750 people who lost their jobs at BPI after the company took a financial hit following news reports about lean, finely textured beef. Smith sued ABC, ABC News, Oliver and food blogger Bettina Siegel in December for $70,000 in damages.

Smith filed the suit in Dakota County District Court in Nebraska, saying he wanted the case tried in the location where the damage was done.

But the defendants filed a notice last week that it was moving it to federal court in Omaha.

A lawsuit filed by BPI against ABC is pending.