Mechanically separated turkey often abbreviated as MST is a common ingredient found in many processed turkey products today. But what exactly is it and should you be eating it? Here’s a deeper look at what mechanically separated turkey is, how it’s made, its health and safety concerns, and some alternatives.
What is Mechanically Separated Turkey?
Mechanically separated turkey refers to a paste-like meat product made by forcing ground turkey carcasses through a sieve or similar device under high pressure. This process separates the remaining scraps of meat from the bones, cartilage, and other tissue.
The resulting MST is primarily composed of turkey connective tissue fat and residual muscle fiber. Very little actual turkey meat goes into it. It’s used as a cheap way to recover any residual meat left on turkey carcasses after the prime cuts have been removed for whole muscle turkey products.
Think of MST as a meat paste made from the leftover turkey “scraps” after the good stuff has been taken away. Not the most appetizing imagery, but this recovered meat paste allows manufacturers to maximize use of the whole bird.
How is Mechanically Separated Turkey Made?
The MST production process works like this
-
Turkey carcasses are first ground up into smaller pieces.
-
The ground turkey carcass pieces are then forced through a specialized sieve at high pressure.
-
This high pressure forces the bone and cartilage to separate from muscle fiber and tissue.
-
The remaining muscle fiber and tissue pass through the sieve as a meat paste-like substance while the bones are filtered out.
-
This resulting meat paste is mechanically separated turkey.
The high-pressure separation process allows manufacturers to recover residual meat and tissue from bone-in turkey parts that would otherwise go to waste.
Is Mechanically Separated Turkey Safe to Eat?
The safety of mechanically separated turkey has been debated over the years. In the 1990s, concern about bacterial contamination from the high-pressure mechanical separation process led the USDA to ban MST from ground beef products.
However, USDA regulations were updated, and mechanically separated turkey and chicken are now considered safe and legal to eat. Here are some key regulations around MST today:
-
In the U.S., the USDA closely monitors MST production, including standards for fat content, calcium content, bone particle size, and protein levels.
-
Products containing MST must clearly list it on the ingredients label.
-
MST can only be used in specific products regulated by the USDA.
-
The USDA prohibits mechanically separated beef for human consumption. Only mechanically separated pork and poultry are allowed.
-
In the EU, MST from pigs and poultry can be used with regulations. MST from cows or sheep is banned.
When produced according to proper regulations, most experts consider MST safe for consumption today. Improved processing standards have greatly reduced risk of bacterial contamination compared to decades past.
Nutritional Profile of Mechanically Separated Turkey
Due to the high connective tissue and fat content, MST differs nutritionally from whole muscle turkey meat:
-
Lower in protein – Contains less actual muscle meat and more fat and connective tissues.
-
Higher in fat – Up to 4 times the fat content of lean whole turkey.
-
More cholesterol – Up to 2 times the cholesterol content compared to regular ground turkey.
-
Fewer vitamins and minerals – Lost in the mechanical separation process.
So ounce for ounce, MST is less nutritious than whole muscle turkey meat. The higher fat and cholesterol content is something to be mindful of if eating products made with MST regularly.
Alternatives to Mechanically Separated Turkey
If you want to avoid mechanically separated turkey, read product labels closely and look for turkey products made from these whole muscle ingredients:
-
Ground turkey – Opt for ground turkey clearly labeled as being made from whole muscle turkeys without added MST.
-
Turkey breast – Turkey breast fillets and slices offer lean protein from whole muscle meat.
-
Turkey cutlets – Slices of whole muscle turkey breast.
-
Turkey tenders – Strips made from whole turkey breast.
Checking for whole muscle turkey in the ingredients and avoiding ambiguous terms like “turkey paste” can help identify products without MST.
The Bottom Line
When produced according to food safety regulations, mechanically separated turkey is considered safe for consumption. However, the highly processed nature and nutritional drawbacks of MST lead some consumers to avoid it.
Reading labels closely and choosing whole muscle turkey cuts allows you to avoid MST if desired. But occasional consumption of MST in some processed turkey products is still considered safe for most people when regulations are properly followed.
Like many processed food debates, the choice comes down to your own preferences and values around food. Being an informed consumer by understanding terms like MST allows you to make the right choices for you and your family.
Meat Mythcrushers: Mechanically Separated Poultry
FAQ
Is mechanically separated turkey healthy?
Should we be eating mechanically separated meat products?
Is mechanically separated turkey safe for dogs?
Is mechanically separated meat real meat?
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).