Can You Eat Pin Bones?

If you do happen to eat salmon bones and haven't noticed, chances are you're going to be fine. The pin bones are thin, soft, and flexible and will eventually be digested by your stomach acid. If you don't feel anything stuck in your throat, or hurting somewhere, it's likely already in the stomach and being digested.

Do you have to remove pin bones?

Pin bones aren't removed through filleting. Typically, large Alaskan processors remove them with a machine called a (you guessed it) pin bone machine. In order to remove pin bones mechanically the salmon have to “rest” for a few days so their flesh can soften.

Is it OK to eat fish bones?

Fish bones, brains, cartilage and fat are nutritious, containing extra-high levels of vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc and calcium, according to Toppe. And using such scraps for human food could also benefit the environment by reducing pollution from processing facilities.