In the meat processing industry , ( in some countries ) the word `` meat '' is to mean only the flesh of mammalian species such as pigs , cattle , etc. but does not include fish , poultry , and eggs . The word meat is also used by the meat packing industry in a more restrictive senseâ '' the flesh of mammalian species ( pigs , cattle , lambs , etc. ) raised and prepared for human consumption , to the exclusion of fish , poultry , and game .