Search Results (56)

This literature review provides an overview of the food safety and toxicological characteristics of various heavy metals and metalloids and the public health significance of their occurrence in food. Metals also occur as natural components of the environment, but they can enter food of animal origin and the human body primarily due to anthropogenic (industrial, agricultural, transport-related) activities. The persistent heavy metals (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cd) found in the environment are not biodegradable, can accumulate, and can enter the bodies of higher animals and subsequently, humans, where they are metabolized into various compounds with differing toxicity. Thus, due to their environmental contamination, they can accumulate in living organisms and their presence in the food chain is of great concern for human health. Regulations of the European Community in force lay down maximum levels for a limited number of metals, and the types of regulated foodstuffs of animal origin are also narrower than in the past, e.g., wild game animals and eggs are not included. The regulation of game meat (including offal) deserves consideration, given that it is in close interaction with the environmental condition of a given area and serves as indicator of it. Full article

Background: Participation in home and wild food procurement (HWFP) activities (i.e., gardening, hunting, fishing, foraging, preserving food, raising livestock, and raising poultry for eggs) skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Procuring food through HWFP activities may have important food security and nutrition benefits, while also enhancing food sovereignty and food system resilience. This cross-sectional study examined the effect of HWFP activities on food security status, fruit and vegetable intake, and meat consumption. Methods: We used data collected in 2021 and 2022 from adults (n = 2001) through two statewide representative surveys in Maine and Vermont, United States. Dietary intake was assessed using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire. Food security status was assessed using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 6-item short-form food security module. We analyzed the data using linear regression, logistic regression, and ordinal logistic regression models. Results: Sixty-one percent of respondents engaged in HWFP activities; the majority of those gardened. Households engaging in most individual HWFP activities had greater odds of being food insecure. HWFP engagement was positively associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Specifically, gardening was associated with an additional one cup-equivalent in fruit and vegetable consumption per week compared to respondents that did not garden. Furthermore, when exploring these relationships disaggregated by food security status, we find that this effect is stronger for food insecure households than food secure households. Respondents from households that hunted were more likely to eat wild game meat and also consumed red and white meat more frequently compared to households that did not hunt. Conclusions: Overall, our results indicate potential nutrition and food security benefits from engaging in HWFP activities. Future research should continue to examine a full suite of HWFP activities and their relationship to diet, health, food security, and food sovereignty. Full article

The consumption of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) meat is growing due to its nutritional benefits and sustainability. However, challenges like a shorter shelf life and increased microbial load of game meat highlight the need to investigate effective preservation techniques. This study investigated the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the quality parameters of wild red deer meat, including pH, color characteristics, microbial load, texture attributes, and protein stability, assessed on different days. Wild red deer meat was treated with pressures ranging from 150 to 600 MPa, followed by storage at 4 °C for up to 14 days. Results showed that HHP at or above 300 MPa stabilized pH and suppressed microbial growth. On Day 1, the control samples had a microbial count of 4.67 log CFU/g, while treatments at or above 500 MPa reduced microbial levels to below 1 log CFU/g. Texture analysis revealed improved tenderness at lower pressures (150–300 MPa) and enhanced firmness at higher pressures. Color parameters, including lightness and redness, were also influenced by HHP, as lightness increased with pressure, while redness decreased at higher pressure levels. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated protein denaturation, especially at ≥300 MPa, with significant degradation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins at ≥500 MPa. These findings suggest that HHP can be an effective method for improving certain quality parameters and extending the shelf life of wild red deer meat up to 14 days of storage, depending on the pressure level applied. Full article

Venison serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources and is closely tied to wildlife conservation efforts. This study sought to identify key factors influencing wild game consumption. Researchers conducted a self-administered mail-back survey targeting 5000 Illinois homeowners. Variables such as gender, dietary preferences, prior consumption experience, family involvement in hunting, and participation in outdoor activities were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed that individuals who had previously consumed wild game, recently engaged in hunting or fishing, maintained a meat-rich diet, were male, or resided in rural areas were more likely to consume wild game. In conclusion, understanding these factors can help promote hunting as a sustainable food procurement method, raising awareness of its role in the food system and fostering greater societal acceptance of wild game meat. Full article

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple hosts, posing significant public health risks, especially in regions like Japan where game meat consumption is prevalent. This study investigated HEV infection and viral shedding in wild boars, sika deer, and Japanese serows across Japan. A total of 1896 serum samples were tested for anti-HEV antibodies, 1034 for HEV RNA, and 473 fecal samples for viral shedding. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in wild boars from all seven prefectures studied, while HEV RNA was detected in wild boars from Fukuoka, Oita, and Miyazaki in southern Japan, as well as Yamaguchi prefecture. Genetic analysis revealed subtypes 3b, 4a, and 4g, with 3b being the most prevalent. Subtype 3b exhibited distinct geographical clustering, whereas 4g persisted exclusively in Yamaguchi for over 12 years. Infectious HEV particles were confirmed in wild boar feces, highlighting the risk of environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission. Sika deer showed no evidence of HEV infection, and only one Japanese serow tested positive for antibodies without detectable RNA. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance to assess the zoonotic risks from game meat consumption and prevention of HEV transmission to humans. Full article

Game meat is derived from non-domesticated, free-ranging wild animals and plays an important role in human nutrition, but it is recognized as a source of food-borne and drug-resistant pathogens impacting food safety. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the frequency of isolation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of major foodborne pathogens from the Enterobacteriaceae, including Salmonella, Escherichia, and Yersinia genera, in wild ungulates, across Europe in the 21st century. A systematic search was conducted via the Google Scholar database using the PRISMA guidelines. In this regard, the content of a total of 52 relevant scientific publications from both European Union (n = 10) and non-European Union countries (n = 3) was processed, highlighting the main scientific achievements and indicating knowledge gaps and future perspectives. The studies highlighted that Salmonella spp. was the most commonly encountered pathogen, and significant AMR levels were noticed for the isolated strains, especially against penicillin (32.8%) and amoxicillin (32.1%). This review underscores the importance of monitoring the presence of food-borne pathogens and their AMR in wildlife as important public health and food safety concerns. Full article

In recent decades, there has been an increase in European wild ungulate populations, often associated with a decline in health and spread of disease. This is true for the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the most common European cervid, with populations apparently affected by fibropapillomatosis, an increasingly common cancer. To date, however, there has been little research into this disease, thus many interactions remain unclear and descriptions of tumour composition are poorly validated. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and concentration of toxic heavy metals in roe deer skin tumours. Our results confirmed the presence of virtually all the metals tested for, i.e., Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Mn, Al, Co, Cu, Ni, Se, Zn, and Fe, with the highest average concentrations found for Cr (0.99 mg/kg⁻¹ ± 2.23 SD), Cd (0.03 mg/kg⁻¹ ± 0.03 SD), and Hg (0.02 mg/kg⁻¹ ± 0.02 SD), exceeding FAO limits for meat from slaughtered animals. We also observed a significant positive relationship between heavy metal concentration and age, especially for Pb, As, Hg, Mn, Se, Al, Zn, and Ni. Our findings provide a strong baseline for further research on the impact of fibropapillomatosis, not only on the welfare and health status of game but also on the final consumer of venison, which in many respects is regarded as a high-quality, ecological, and renewable wild resource. While deer with this disease are not considered qualitatively or medically defective, they could represent a potential reservoir of substances toxic to humans and could affect substance levels in adjacent tissues or the animal as a whole. Full article

Consumption of raw or undercooked wild boar (WB) meat is considered an important risk factor for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in humans. The possibility of HEV contamination during the slaughtering practices may pose an additional risk. Based on these assumptions, we evaluated HEV contamination of WB meat hunted in Umbria (central Italy) during the 2022–2023 hunting season by real-time RT-PCR. Herein, we show that 10.8% of livers from slaughtered WB were positive for HEV RNA, thus providing an estimate of HEV infection in WB in the Umbria region. Then, by evaluating paired liver–muscle samples from both HEV-positive and HEV-negative animals, we found evidence of muscle HEV contamination in 33% and 14% of cases, respectively. This is the first report on the detection of HEV in WB meat in Umbria, an Italian region with diffuse WB hunting and consumption. The evidence of contamination provided by our study underscores the importance of adopting good hygienic practices in the processing stages of hunted WB carcasses to significantly reduce meat contamination and the risk posed for the final consumer. Full article

Game meat is an important source of meat borne parasitic infections. Due to its omnivorous diet, the wild boar is an important host of zoonotic parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii can cause severe to fatal disease in immunosuppressed patients, as well as congenital disorders in foetus and neonates. Consumption of undercooked infected meat is a main source of T. gondii infection. Information about the risk of toxoplasmosis through game meat is scarce. We collected serum samples from 42 wild boars from the federal state of Thuringia (Germany) between December 2017 and February 2018. Identification of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies was conducted using a commercial indirect ELISA kit. Seropositivity was confirmed in 18 of the 42 samples (37.50%). From these, the highest seroprevalence was found in adult animals. This study joins another single database from wild boars in Brandenburg. The necessity of a country-wide database regarding T. gondii prevalence in wild boar and other game meat is pivotal for a profound risk analysis with its consequential impact in future mean hygiene policies. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sex and hunting location on carcass characteristics and meat quality of wild-living mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Croatia. Twenty-eight mallards (14 ♂; 14 ♀) were hunted at two hunting locations (HL I = 8 ♂, 8 ♀; HL II = 6 ♂, 6 ♀) in the Croatian lowlands. The carcasses were eviscerated, dressed, and dissected, and the individual internal organs and carcass parts were weighed. The breast muscle (m. pectoralis major) was sampled and used to determine color, pH, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and proximate chemical and fatty acid composition. Sex and HL had a significant effect on the majority of carcass characteristics analyzed, but they had no effect on the physical meat parameters. The protein and ash content of mallard meat was significantly higher in HL II (23.16% vs. 22.67%; 1.45% vs. 1.36%, respectively) and the moisture content in females (72.40% vs. 71.59%). HL had a significant effect on SFA (II 33.96% vs. I 29.91%), PUFA n-3 (II 3.55% vs. I 2.69%), PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios, and all lipid indices. Females had a significantly higher C22:6n-3 content, a higher PI index and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. The data presented in this study contribute to a better understanding of game-bird meat quality originating from different regions. Full article

A survey was conducted from 2018 to 2023 to assess the presence of Salmonella in 280 hunted wild boar (carcasses after evisceration and skinning, N = 226; liver, N = 258; and fecal samples, N = 174). The overall prevalence was 2.86% (confidence interval 95%, 1.45–5.45%) with five positive samples detected in carcasses, three in the liver, and one in a fecal sample. This prevalence was in line with those found in nearby areas denoting a low number of positive samples. Positive animals were over 24 months of age and weighed, before skinning, 59.00 ± 9.11 Kg and no difference was detected in microbial loads between samples positive and negative for Salmonella (aerobic colony count of 4.59 and 4.66 log CFU/400 cm², and Enterobacteriaceae count of 2.89 and 2.73 log CFU/400 cm² (mean values) in positive and negative subjects, respectively). Salmonella Stanleyville was the most frequently isolated serotype. A semiquantitative risk assessment was conducted for the first time in game meat considering two products, meat cuts intended for cooking and fermented dry sausages. Only proper cooking can reduce the risk of ingestion of Salmonella to the minimum for consumers, whereas ready-to-eat dry sausages constitute risk products in terms of foodborne Salmonellosis (risk score of 64 out of 100). Full article

Bullet-derived lead (Pb) is a food safety hazard in meat from hunted wild game. Dogs can be exposed to alimentary Pb when fed with meat from wild game. We studied Pb contamination in 47 commercial “bones-and-raw-food” (BARF) packages from wild game meat and offal sold in Austria. Samples were first tested with a metal detector (calibrated for 2.5 mm diameter objects), then by X-ray, and Pb content was determined in sample areas free from metal-dense particles (as assessed in radiographs). Three samples tested positive by the metal detector (particle sizes ranged from 3 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm to 10 mm × 8 mm × 5 mm), with two particles from lead and one from tombac. Metal-dense objects were found in radiographs of 35/47 samples. In 13/47 samples, particles > 1 mm in diameter, and in 33/47 samples, smaller ones (median of five particles per sample) were noted. Lead content was above 1.5 mg/kg wet weight in 19/47 samples and exceeded the limit for general animal feed of 10 mg/kg wet weight in 5 of these 19 samples. The Pb contents as well as the presence of metal particles indicate that there is a feed safety issue in the samples analyzed. By a metal detector, the presence of large fragments was indicated in three samples, which casts doubt on whether all producers use a metal detector to scan the packages before delivery. Full article

Wildlife can represent a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens and a public health problem. In the present study, we investigated the spread of zoonotic pathogens (Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and hepatitis E virus (HEV)) considering the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in game meat from animals hunted in northwest Italy. During two hunting seasons (2020 to 2022), samples of liver and/or muscle tissue were collected from chamois (n = 48), roe deer (n = 26), deer (n = 39), and wild boar (n = 35). Conventional microbiology and biomolecular methods were used for the detection, isolation, and characterization of the investigated pathogens. Two L. monocytogenes serotype IIa strains were isolated from wild boar liver; both presented fosfomycin resistance gene and a total of 22 virulence genes were detected and specified in the text. Eight Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A strains were isolated from chamois (2), wild boar (5), and deer (1) liver samples; all showed streptogramin and beta-lactam resistance genes; the virulence genes found were myfA (8/8 strains), ymoA (8/8), invA (8/8), ystB (8/8), and ail (4/8). Our data underscore the potential role of wildlife as a carrier of zoonotic and antibiotic-resistant pathogens in northwest Italy and a food safety risk for game meat consumers. Full article

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica prevalence in wild boars hunted in Sardinia and further characterize the isolates and analyse antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns. In order to assess slaughtering hygiene, an evaluation of carcasses microbial contamination was also carried out. Between 2020 and 2022, samples were collected from 66 wild boars hunted during two hunting seasons from the area of two provinces in northern and central Sardinia (Italy). Samples collected included colon content samples, mesenteric lymph nodes samples and carcass surface samples. Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica detection was conducted on each sample; also, on carcass surface samples, total aerobic mesophilic count and Enterobacteriaceae count were evaluated. On Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested and whole genome sequencing was applied. Salmonella was identified in the colon content samples of 3/66 (4.5%) wild boars; isolates were S. enterica subs. salamae, S. ser. elomrane and S. enterica subs. enterica. Y. enterocolitica was detected from 20/66 (30.3%) wild boars: in 18/66 (27.3%) colon contents, in 3/66 (4.5%) mesenteric lymph nodes and in 3/49 (6.1%) carcass surface samples. In all, 24 Y. enterocolitica isolates were analysed and 20 different sequence types were detected, with the most common being ST860. Regarding AMR, no resistance was detected in Salmonella isolates, while expected resistance towards β-lactams (blaA gene) and streptogramin (vatF gene) was observed in Y. enterocolitica isolates (91.7% and 4.2%, respectively). The low presence of AMR is probably due to the low anthropic impact in the wild areas. Regarding the surface contamination of carcasses, values (mean ± standard deviation log₁₀ CFU/cm²) were 2.46 ± 0.97 for ACC and 1.07 ± 1.18 for Enterobacteriaceae. The results of our study confirm that wild boars can serve as reservoirs and spreaders of Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica; the finding of Y. enterocolitica presence on carcass surface highlights how meat may become superficially contaminated, especially considering that contamination is linked to the conditions related to the hunting, handling and processing of game animals. Full article

The aim of this work was to study the nutritional value of game meat through the fulfillments of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, and Zn). A probabilistic model (@Risk) was developed based on the consumption data of hunter-consumers obtained from a previously published survey. Two game species widely consumed in Europe were selected: red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Red deer muscle had the highest content of Cr (0.25 mg/kg) and Zn (44.3 mg/kg) and wild boar muscle recorded the highest Cu (2.23 mg/kg), Ni (0.60 mg/kg), and Se (0.19 mg/kg), showing statistically significant differences between the two species for these elements. No statistically significant differences were found for Fe between both game species (red deer: 52.9 mg/kg and wild boar: 53.3 mg/kg). Co content in this kind of meat was negligible for both species. The results obtained from the simulation of the probabilistic model with red deer indicated that a consumption once per week of this meat fulfills Cr, Fe, and Zn DRIs for the 95th percentile in hunter-consumers. Regarding wild boar, the values obtained also fulfill the Fe DRI and were between 61 and 75% for the rest of the trace elements analyzed. Full article