Title: Mcgowanjm Wire 2012 Source:
[None] URL Source:[None] Published:Feb 26, 2012 Author:Various Post Date:2012-02-26 09:15:13 by A K A Stone Keywords:None Views:1467697 Comments:2390
After an inquiry regarding mechanically separated chicken in chicken nuggets, we asked Dr. Casey Owens from the University of Arkansas for some clarification. She maintains that this is not the process used to make nuggets.
Best Food Facts: Why is mechanically separated chicken used?
Dr. Owens: "Mechanically separated chicken (MSC) contains proteins that are useful for other products. It takes on a fine, pasty texture, so it can be formed into a desirable shape. Consumers should note that products using MSC typically have a higher fat content."
Best Food Facts: In this video, the people say that the pink in the meat is from blood, that eyeballs are mixed into the paste, etc. What is the truth?
Dr. Owens: "First and foremost - there is NO chance of eyeballs being in the chicken, because the head is removed much earlier in the process. In the Jamie Oliver video, you can see there is no head on the chicken he presents to the children - the same is true in processing facilities. Mechanically separated chicken is made using the meat left after the breast meat and legs are removed - meat found between the ribs, near vertebrae, around joints, etc. as well as some fat, connective tissue and skin (if there is any that remains on the carcass). There will also be trace amounts of bone, which provide calcium - but bone content is monitored closely as only so much calcium is allowed in MSC. Lastly, some of the meat will appear darker in color becasue it either came from legs (dark meat) or is bone marrow (if bones are broken in the process, some marrow can come out)."
Without grinding, crushing or pulverizing the bone itself, a machine removes edible tissue from beef and pork bones. If the resulting bits have more than 150 mg of calcium per 100 grams (indicating the presence of bones) they must be labeled "mechanically separated" meat.
Tyson: We don't need no stinkin' inspectors cause all our chickens are safe to eat.
