Biting the Bullet: A Call for Action on Lead-Contaminated Meat in Food Banks

Totoni, Samantha; Fabisiak, James P.; Beasley, Val R.; Arnemo, Jon M.; Schulz, John H.; Terry, Martha Ann; Peterson, Jim

doi:10.2105/ajph.2022.307069

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…These have included game animals harvested with shotguns, including birds such as thick-billed murre ( Uria lomvia ) in Greenland (Johansen et al, 2001 ) and impala ( Aepyceros melampus ) in South Africa (Nkosi et al, 2022 ), white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in the USA (Wilson et al, 2020 ), and a variety of other species of game bird and small mammals across Europe (Pain et al, 2010 ). Data from mammals harvested with rifle bullets includes ground venison from white-tailed deer donated to shelters in the USA (Cornatzer et al, 2009 ; Totoni et al, 2022 ), moose ( Alces alces ) from Norway (Lindboe et al, 2012 ), roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) from Germany (Schulz et al, 2021 ), chital (axis) deer ( Axis axis ) from Argentina (Tammone et al, 2021 ) and meat sauce made from wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ) sold commercially in Italy (Lenti et al, 2021 ). Studies have also been proposed on venison harvested by recreational hunters in New Zealand (Buenz et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Hampton

Pain

Buenz

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Lead-based ammunition (gunshot and bullets) frequently leaves small lead fragments embedded in the meat of wild-shot game animals. Australia produces several commercial game meat products from wild animals harvested with lead-based ammunition and has a growing population of recreational hunters. However, no studies have previously investigated the frequency of lead fragments or lead concentrations in Australian game meat. We examined 133 Australian minced game meat items of four types for evidence of lead contamination. Samples were meat from kangaroos (Macropus and Osphranter spp.; n=36) and Bennett’s wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus; n=28) sold for human consumption, and deer (‘venison’; multiple spp.; n=32) and stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis; n=37) harvested for private consumption by recreational hunters. All packages were studied by digital radiography to detect the presence of radio-dense fragments, assumed to be lead fragments from ammunition. Visible fragments were absent in commercially available kangaroo products, but were present in 4%, 28% and 35% of wallaby, venison and quail, respectively. Mean meat lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were 0.01 ± 0.01 for kangaroo, 0.02 ± 0.01 for wallaby, 0.12 ± 0.07 for venison, and 1.76 ± 3.76 for quail. The Australian food standards threshold for livestock meat (0.1 mg/kg w.w.) was not exceeded by any kangaroo or wallaby products but was exceeded by 53% and 86% of venison and quail, respectively. Radiography only detected 35% of samples that were above the food safety threshold. While average lead concentrations in commercially available macropod (kangaroo and wallaby) meat were low, those in recreationally harvested game meat may pose health risks for hunters and associated consumers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Hampton

Pain

Buenz

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…At a broader societal level, individuals eating game meat shot with lead ammunition are in danger of lead exposure and the externality of society dealing with individuals affected by chronic lead exposure (Rosen 1995, Lidsky and Schneider 2006, Jones et al 2009, Knott et al 2010). Human exposure to lead bullet fragments in game meat can occur when state agencies partner with local food banks and distribute lead‐tainted venison (Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation 2020, Totoni et al 2022). Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not provide guidance regarding venison donations, most states and localities have not addressed the potential for lead contamination in their donated venison safety regulations (Leib et al 2018, Totoni et al 2022).…”

Section: Current Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Human exposure to lead bullet fragments in game meat can occur when state agencies partner with local food banks and distribute lead‐tainted venison (Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation 2020, Totoni et al 2022). Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not provide guidance regarding venison donations, most states and localities have not addressed the potential for lead contamination in their donated venison safety regulations (Leib et al 2018, Totoni et al 2022).…”

Section: Current Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secondary stakeholders include ammunition manufacturers, outdoor retailers, and nonprofit groups such as the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Center for Biological Diversity, Peregrine Fund, and professional or scientific societies (e.g., The Wildlife Society). Other stakeholders could include family members eating game meat killed with lead ammunition and individuals eating that meat donated to food banks (Totoni et al 2022). The on-going policy actions related to lead exposure from spent hunting ammunition provide a unique opportunity to explore the positive and negative factors related to different policies.…”

Section: Current Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors

Schulz

Totoni

Stanis

et al. 2023

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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The endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is negatively affected by lead poisoning from spent lead-based hunting ammunition. Because lead poisoning is the primary mortality factor affecting condors, the California Fish and Game Commission banned lead hunting ammunition during 2008 in the southern California condor range followed by a statewide ban implemented in 2019. In contrast, the Arizona Game and Fish Department instituted an outreach and awareness program encouraging voluntary use of nonlead hunting ammunition in the northern portion of the state during 2005 and a similar program was launched in Utah during 2012.The juxtaposition of policy tools provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the intended efforts to mitigate lead exposure in condors and their respective positive and negative effects.Herein we reflect upon the effectiveness of lead policy actions in the 3-state region on the basis of condor blood-lead levels, population status, and hunter awareness of the issue and use of nonlead hunting ammunition.

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“…For example, Waitrose & Partners in the UK announced in 2019 that it was moving away from the sale of lead shot game meat and intended to only sell lead‐free game by the 2021–22 season (John Lewis Partnership 2021). Although sale of wild game meat is prohibited in North America, wild game is widely consumed by hunters and donated to food programs such as Hunters for the Hungry, leading to a potential risk pathway for consumers (Wilson et al 2020, Totoni et al 2022). Fragmentation of lead ammunition, primarily center‐fired, high‐velocity ammunition, has been found to be of greater occurrence than was previously believed (Hunt et al 2009, Grund et al 2010, Wilson et al 2020), giving rise to greater concern regarding safety of game consumption.…”

Section: Drivers Of Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Efforts to ban lead ammunition: a comparison between Europe and the United States

Ellis

Miller

2023

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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The human health impacts of lead have been known for millennia but the environmental impacts of lead ammunition have only received attention during the past 100 years. To a large extent the United States provided leadership in identifying and researching these effects and then spearheading campaigns to transition away from lead shotgun ammunition for waterfowl hunting. However, the appetite for further federal transition has largely stalled in the U.S. except for apparently limited action linked to individual states, charismatic species, and specific sites. Europe, on the other hand, though generally rather late to the table with regard to lead shotgun ammunition and waterfowl hunting, is now pushing ahead with several initiatives that are likely to see substantial partial, if not total, restrictions on the use of all lead ammunition (for shotguns and rifles) within 5 to 10 years. We discuss the policy drivers behind these moves, summarize the key attitudes and perceived constraints to transition, and provide (cautious) timetables and limited recommendations for future changes.

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Biting the Bullet: A Call for Action on Lead-Contaminated Meat in Food Banks

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors

Efforts to ban lead ammunition: a comparison between Europe and the United States

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