An apparatus and a process for extracting beef, pork or lamb meat from
crushed and dismembered beef, pork or lamb pieces is provided. The
extracting method is based on mechanical separation utilizing heated
water spray within a rotating drum assembly for removal and separation of
meat from bone and collagen. The water is collected, pumped into a
holding tank, and may be flavored with natural meat flavor extract and
antifoam agent for recycle within the process. The apparatus includes a
hopper, an inclined rotating drum assembly having perforated or slotted
walls and an internally located nozzle dispensing a water spray for
separating meat from bones, a tank having at least one water jet for
separating meat from bone fragments, a vibrating dewatering apparatus for
separating meat from the water, and a recircualtion system for
collection, reheating, and re-using the solution of water and optionally,
flavor extract. The apparatus provides bone free beef, pork or lamb that
retains the natural meat flavor and has a low bacterial count because the
process is performed in 170.degree. F. water solution.