What is Mechanically Separated Turkey? A Detailed Look at This Controversial Ingredient

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Mechanically separated turkey, sometimes labeled as “turkey paste” or “turkey puree” on ingredient lists, is a common component of many processed turkey products. However, this mystery meat has sparked debate among consumers regarding how it is made, its nutritional value, and whether it is ultimately safe to eat.

How Mechanically Separated Turkey is Produced

Mechanically separated turkey starts with turkey carcasses that have already had the prime cuts removed for sale. The carcasses still contain some tissue and remnants of meat stuck to the bones To recover this, the carcasses are crushed and pressed using high-pressure mechanical separation equipment This removes the remaining bits of muscle and tissue from the bone, essentially pulverizing the carcass remains into a paste-like meat product.

More specifically. here is the process for mechanically separating turkey

  • Turkey carcasses are fed into a specialized mechanical separator machine

  • The machine uses a combination of grinding, crushing, and pressing between a perforated surface and a screw conveyor

  • Bone particles and bone marrow are forced through small holes in the perforated surface

  • The remaining meat and tissue is extruded through the holes while the bone is discarded

  • The extracted meat paste is then processed into various turkey products

This high-pressure mechanical separation allows companies to recover any residual meat and tissue from turkey carcasses after the prime cuts have already been removed for sale or consumption.

Composition of Mechanically Separated Turkey

The composition of mechanically separated turkey can vary somewhat depending on the separation equipment and techniques used. However, in general it contains:

  • 15-20% protein

  • 15-20% fat

  • Connective tissue

  • Small fragments of bone and bone marrow

  • Trace amounts of muscle meat

Since it comes from bony carcass parts, mechanically separated turkey is lower in actual muscle meat compared to turkey products made from whole cuts of meat. It also contains more connective tissue and fat.

Is Mechanically Separated Turkey Safe to Eat?

The safety of mechanically separated turkey has been controversial over the years. When it first came into use in the 1970s, there were concerns about potential bacterial contamination from the high-pressure mechanical separation process. Also, the inclusion of bone particles raised questions.

However, today in the United States, the production of mechanically separated turkey is highly regulated by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. There are strict standards for the calcium content, bone particle size, fat content, and protein levels allowed. As long as these standards are met, mechanically separated turkey is considered safe for consumption.

The USDA also mandates that any products containing mechanically separated turkey must list it clearly on ingredient labels. This helps consumers make informed choices if they wish to avoid it.

Nutritional Profile of Mechanically Separated Turkey

Compared to products made from whole turkey cuts, mechanically separated turkey is nutritionally inferior. According to USDA data, it contains:

  • Less protein than whole turkey (15-20% vs 18-22% for turkey breast)

  • More fat than skinless turkey breast (15-20% vs 3-11%)

  • Little vitamin content compared to whole muscle turkey

  • Higher sodium content due to processing

  • Exposes consumers to small fragments of bone and bone marrow

So while safe to eat when produced under proper regulation, mechanically separated turkey offers less nutritional value than turkey products made from whole cuts of meat.

Uses for Mechanically Separated Turkey

Here are some common uses for mechanically separated turkey as an ingredient:

  • Hot dogs

  • Bologna

  • Deli meats

  • Frozen turkey or chicken nuggets

  • Sausage products like breakfast sausage

  • Canned pet foods

  • Pre-cooked turkey patties or formed products

  • Turkey ham

  • Frozen breaded turkey patties

  • Turkey salami

  • Turkey bacon

  • Frozen turkey burgers

Basically, mechanically separated turkey allows processors to incorporate recovered turkey meat and tissue into a wide array of affordable processed turkey items.

Alternatives to Mechanically Separated Turkey

If you wish to avoid mechanically separated turkey, read product labels closely and choose items made from whole muscle turkey cuts when possible. Healthier alternatives include:

  • Ground turkey breast

  • Fresh or frozen whole turkey breasts

  • Turkey cutlets

  • Turkey tenderloins

  • Fresh or smoked turkey sausage with whole turkey as first ingredient

  • Roasted whole turkey

The Bottom Line

Mechanically separated turkey is a processed meat product created by removing residual meat and tissue from turkey carcasses using high-pressure mechanical separation. It allows maximum utilization of poultry by recovering any leftover bits of meat and tissue still clinging to bones after the prime cuts have been removed. When produced under proper USDA regulations, it is considered safe to eat. However, its high fat content, inclusion of bone fragments, and highly processed nature may leave some consumers preferring to choose alternative turkey products made from whole muscle cuts when possible. Being an informed shopper and reading labels carefully can help you determine if mechanically separated turkey is an ingredient you wish to consume or avoid.

what is mechanically separated turkey

Meat Mythcrushers: Mechanically Separated Poultry

FAQ

Is mechanically separated turkey healthy?

Though, it does have higher concentrations of things like bone minerals than other meat (like calcium), but it would be difficult to argue that this makes it less nutritious, and in any case it’s still organic and no more harmful than just straight up eating those same animal parts with no machines involved.

Should we be eating mechanically separated meat products?

Due to FSIS regulations enacted in 2004 to protect consumers against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mechanically separated beef is considered inedible and is prohibited for use as human food. It is not permitted in hot dogs or any other processed product.

Is mechanically separated turkey safe for dogs?

Meat protein is important because it naturally contains all ten essential amino acids that dogs require. While mechanically separated meat is considered safe, it doesn’t provide enough of these basic nutrients for pets to thrive.

Is mechanically separated meat real meat?

Mechanically separated meat is derived from the meat left on animal carcasses once the main cuts have been removed. This meat can be mechanically removed and used in other foods.

What is mechanically separated chicken & turkey?

Mechanically separated chicken and turkey are pretty much the poultry equivalent of pink slime, a term used for lean finely textured beef. This beef product is made in a similar way to mechanically separated poultry, and to be honest, the process for making this stuff is pretty gross. What is mechanically separated meat?

What is high-pressure mechanically separated meat?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website explains that high-pressure mechanically separated meat is usually produced by forcing bones that still have meat attached through a sieve (or something similar) to separate the remaining meat from the bone.

What is mechanically separated meat?

Mechanically separated meat ( MSM ), mechanically recovered/reclaimed meat ( MRM ), or mechanically deboned meat ( MDM) is a paste-like meat product produced by forcing pureed or ground beef, pork, mutton, turkey or chicken under high pressure through a sieve or similar device to separate the bone from the edible meat tissue.

How do you make mechanically separated meat?

The process of making mechanically separated meat begins with the collection of bones that have small amounts of meat still adhering to them. These bones are then processed through a high-pressure sieve, which separates the meat from the bones in a manner that creates a paste-like substance.

What is the difference between mechanically separated meat and ground poultry?

The starting material for ground poultry is whole muscle parts or deboned poultry or poultry meat, whereas the starting material for mechanically separated poultry (MSP) typically consists of frames or shells that contain some amount of skeletal muscle tissue and other edible tissue. Should we be eating mechanically separated meat products?

What is mechanically separated poultry?

What is it? Mechanically separated poultry (chicken or turkey) is a low-cost poultry protein, which is produced by mechanically separating bone and attached skeletal muscle (1).

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