Sorry folks, I haven't had a chance to respond to much because we've been swamped.  Although I believe most of the responces were meant to be humorous and I took them as such, I should probably make a few comments.

First, I just want to make clear that even though we use Slim Jim's for Gram Controls that doesn't mean I think they are dangerous or anything.  I went on a backpacking/camping trip this weekend and ate a large amount of beef jerky that I am sure if I processed it would make a fine gram control.  It just may have needed to soak in ammonia a while before cutting it.

Second, if you want to use this idea, test it out.  Be certain it works for you and your doctors are comfortable with using it as a control.  When I first heard about this idea there were a few doctors here that were not comfortable using Slim Jim's for controls even though they worked.  When these doctors retired a few years ago, I was able to start using the Slim Jim's as Gram controls.

Ross Stapf
Histology Supervisor 
Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park MD