Frank Ingredients: Mechanically Separated Chicken

Mechanically separated chicken (MSC) is a paste-like and highly processed poultry product. It is made from chicken carcasses after the valuable meat has been removed, with the remaining flesh, skin, and fat being scraped off the bones by a mechanical process. The resulting product is then often used as an ingredient in other food items.

Manufacturers use MSC as a cost-effective protein source in processed meat products. Its fine texture and binding properties make it suitable for items like hot dogs, sausages, and chicken nuggets. It is commonly found in frozen appetizers and hors d'oeuvres.

Mechanically separated chicken is permitted for use in the U.S. food supply. The FDA has established standards for its production and labeling. While generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when produced according to these standards, its highly processed nature means it differs from whole muscle chicken. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated similar processed meat products, but specific evaluations for MSC are not widely publicized.