Food Safety Considerations Related to the Consumption and Handling of Game Meat in North America

Abstract

Emerging foodborne pathogens present a threat to public health. It is now recognized that several foodborne pathogens originate from wildlife as demonstrated by recent global disease outbreaks. Zoonotic spillover events are closely related to the ubiquity of parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens present within human and animal populations and their surrounding environment. Foodborne diseases have economic and international trade impacts, incentivizing effective wildlife disease management. In North America, there are no food safety standards for handling and consumption of free-ranging game meat. Game meat consumption continues to rise in North America; however, this growing practice could place recreational hunters and game meat consumers at increased risk of foodborne diseases. Recreational hunters should follow effective game meat food hygiene practices from harvest to storage and consumption. Here, we provide a synthesis review that evaluates the ecological and epidemiological drivers of foodborne disease risk in North American hunter populations that are associated with the harvest and consumption of terrestrial mammal game meat. We anticipate this work could serve as a foundation of preventive measures that mitigate foodborne disease transmission between free-ranging mammalian and human populations.

Perception of the Health Threats Related to the Consumption of Wild Animal Meat—Is Eating Game Risky?

“…The greatest importance of these risks has been claimed by the 57.8% of the study sample (mainly the “Selective” and the “Fearful” cluster). Concerns are justified: many foodborne pathogens come from wildlife, which is evidenced by recent global disease outbreaks [ 1 ]. About 43% of human infectious diseases emerge from wildlife [ 56 , 57 ].…”

“…In Poland, the mandatory veterinary testing for the presence of larvae in tissues [ 65 ] is an effective method to prevent trichinosis infection. However, in some regions, the safety standards and law regulations of the introduction of the game in the food market are sparse and do not guarantee proper consumer protection [ 1 ].…”

“…Many have noted the increase in public interest in game meat consumption [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, there are consumers who do not accept this type of meat for sensory and ethical reasons, as well as concerns about its safety and health effects [ 4 ].…”

“…Significant threats directly related to the consumption of game include zoonoses [ 33 ], microbiological contamination [ 34 , 35 , 36 ], and also the presence of heavy metals [ 37 ], bullets/pellets residues [ 38 ], pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones [ 39 ]. Studies from Europe, Australia, North America, and South Africa show that the possibility of contracting zoonoses states the greatest risk for game meat consumers [ 1 , 2 , 24 , 39 ].…”

The Use of Organic Acids (Lactic and Acetic) as a Microbial Decontaminant during the Slaughter of Meat Animal Species: A Review

“…Under normal circumstances, there are two game-meat animal-killing methods employed in the field: killing with a single projectile shot or killing with a shotgun (utilising numerous pellets). These in-field killing processes coupled with exsanguination (neck slitting and/or thoracic sticking) and evisceration utilising spear cuts have the potential to leave open cuts on the body, thus exposing the meat to microbial contamination [6]. As stated by [7], slaughter processes, if not well monitored, may result in dangerous microorganisms being transferred from one carcass to another.…”