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How are poultry bones and soft tissues separated to make processed poultry products?
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meat processing
A butcher cutting beef.
To separate poultry bones from soft tissues for use in processed products, manufacturers utilize a machine known as a mechanical deboner or meat-bone separator.
During this process, materials such as backs, necks, and bones are fed into the machine, where the crushed mixture of meat and bone is continuously pressed against a screen. This action forces the edible, soft tissues through the screen while retaining the bone fragments. The resulting minced product, which has a texture similar to ground beef, is then used as a base for various processed items, including frankfurters and bologna.1