“MSM-free”: what the claim means on charcuterie

“MSM-free”: the claim appears on more and more charcuterie labels, without always being explained. What does it refer to, and why does it matter?

MSM: what the regulations say

MSM stands for mechanically separated meat. The term is defined by the European regulations on the hygiene of food of animal origin:

“the product obtained by removing meat from flesh-bearing bones after boning or from poultry carcases, using mechanical means resulting in the loss or modification of the muscle fibre structure” — Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, Annex I, point 1.14

Put simply: it means recovering, by mechanical processes, the meat left attached to the bones after butchering, or on poultry carcasses. And the process destroys or alters the fibrous structure of the muscles: this is what distinguishes MSM from a cut of meat.

How to spot it on the label

When a product contains it, the European regulations on food information to consumers require it to appear in the ingredients list, under the name “mechanically separated meat”, together with the animal species it comes from.

The habit worth adopting: read through the ingredients list. If the term does not appear, the product does not contain any.

What “MSM-free” means

The claim indicates that the product contains no mechanically separated meat: the meat it is made from has not been recovered mechanically from bones or carcasses.

It is a criterion that certification bodies themselves may pay attention to. AVS, for example, states that it pays particular attention to projects that put quality first, citing in particular MSM-free products. We introduce this body in our guide to AVS certification.

At Mon Deliss

“MSM-free” is our commitment No. 4. All our products are made free from mechanically separated meat (MSM), just as they are made gluten-free, GMO-free, antibiotic-free and with no colourings.

On a sliced smoked turkey fillet or roast turkey fillet, the grain of the meat is visible to the naked eye.

Discover our eight commitments, or read our advice on how to choose halal charcuterie.