# 'mechanically separated chicken' WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 26, 2001, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434 "2001-04-26T20:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/1 "2001-04-26T20:10:49Z")
So I’m here at work eating, of all things, a ‘Slim Jim’ which is otherwise a tubular piece of greasy beef jerky. Or so I thought. In fact, though I thought it was ‘beef’ jerky, I notice that after ‘beef’ on the list of ingredients is something listed as ‘mechanically separated chicken’. So I guess my question is, exactly what the hell does this mean? And why is it so different that the USDA/ FDA required the people at Slim Jim, Inc. from just simply listing ‘chicken’ as their ingredient? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/2 "2001-04-26T21:00:23Z")
It’s a message that the company is using non-union chicken dismemberers rather than teamsters. Or chicksters. Hamsters? Whatever. ---
**Author:** ![sleepyhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@sleepyhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleepyhead)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/3 "2001-04-26T21:54:42Z")
My guess is that mechanical separation is not as precise as manual separation. As a result some chinken parts that are still edible,but not generally consider food, make their way into your jerky. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/4 "2001-04-26T21:57:10Z")
It means that the chicken was stripped from bone by machine instead of cut by hand and therefore will have particles of bone, ligament, cartilige, skin, etc. Not enough for you to notice, but it’s in there. Happy eating! –Tim ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/5 "2001-04-26T22:00:00Z")
From the USDA: > [@](#): > > Mechanically separated poultry is made using high pressure machinery that separates bone from tissue, by first crushing bone and adhering tissue and then forcing bone and tissue through a sieve or similar screening device. The process forms a paste-like blend of soft tissue with a batter-like > consistency. > > Mechanically separated poultry is significantly different in form and consistency from hand deboned chicken or turkey, and, under our food labeling laws, its presence should be reflected on the label. The new labels for poultry products are also consistent with current labeling requirements for beef, pork, and other meat products made by this type of process. Sometimes it is better to just chow down without asking questions why it tastes yummy 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanically-separated-chicken-wtf/63434/6 "2001-04-26T23:21:47Z")
is there a puking smilie?