An apparatus and a process for extracting poultry meat from crushed and
dismembered poultry 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 is flavored with
natural poultry extract and antifoam agent for recycle within the
process. The apparatus includes a hopper, an inclined rotating drum
assembly having perforated 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
re-circulation system for collection, reheating, and re-using the
solution of water and poultry extract. The apparatus and process provides
bone free poultry meat that retains the natural poultry flavor and has a
low bacterial count because the process is performed in 170.degree. F.
water solution.