Author
 |
Smith, Douglas |
|
Submitted to: Poultry Processor Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2001 Publication Date: 5/16/2001 Citation: Smith, D.P. 2001. Evaluation of type and incidence of bones found in deboned broiler breast meat. US Poultry and Egg Processor Workshop Proceedings. p.67-70. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Bones remaining in boneless chicken meat products have been a major problem for the poultry industry, resulting in complaints, insurance claims, and lawsuits arising from oral or esophageal injuries. A one year study (248 shifts) of a deboning plant was conducted to determine incidence and types of bones present in breast meat after deboning. Over 300,000 pounds of fillets and 185,000 pounds of tenders were examined and bones or fragments found were documented and categorized. For fillets, 244 clavicles, 78 fan bones, 36 ribs, and 22 scapulas were found, resulting in the percentage occurrence of bones as follows: 64% clavicles, 21% fan bones, 9% ribs, and 6% scapulas. For tenders, 405 clavicles, 7 fan bones, and 13 fragments were found, with percentage occurrence as 95% clavicles, 2% fan bones, and 3% fragments. Combining fillets and tenders (and adjusting for sample size differences), 84% of bones found were clavicles, followed by an 8% incidence of fan bones. The overall bone incidence was 3 bones per 10,000 fillets (or 12.7 bones per 10,000 lb., a .12% incidence), and 1 bone per 10,000 tenders (or 22.8 bones per 10,000 lb., a .23% incidence). Reduction of the incidence of clavicles should be emphasized and targeted for poultry deboners to have the greatest effect on overall bone reduction efforts. |