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Assessing Lead Levels in New York-Donated Venison
Peter E Nye1, Samantha Totoni2, Karyn L Bischoff3
1New York State Dept. of Environ. Cons. Retired, Feura Bush, New York, United States.
Journal of Food Protection
|June 8, 2025
Summary
Lead ammunition fragments in hunted deer meat, posing a health risk. Nearly 20% of donated venison in New York contained lead fragments, potentially exceeding safe levels for children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Lead (Pb) hunting ammunition fragments into small, bioavailable particles in game animals.
- Dietary lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
- New York State food banks receive substantial amounts of donated venison annually without lead contamination oversight.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and concentration of lead contamination in donated venison in New York State.
- To determine the potential risk of exceeding established lead exposure guidelines from consuming donated game meat.
Main Methods:
- Donated venison samples (0.45 kg and 0.91 kg) were initially screened using medical radiography (X-ray).
- Samples with suspected metal fragments underwent quantitative analysis for lead using inductively coupled atomic plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
- Lead concentrations were compared against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Interim Reference Level (IRL) for children.
Main Results:
- 19% (11/59) of venison packages tested positive for metal fragments and/or lead.
- Lead concentrations ranged from 0.38 to 135.7 mg/kg dry matter, with some exceeding 600% of the FDA IRL.
- Radiographic evidence was not always present, highlighting the need for quantitative analysis.
Conclusions:
- There is a high probability of lead consumption from donated hunted meat in New York.
- Consumption of even a single bite of contaminated venison could exceed the FDA's recommended daily lead intake for children.
- Current practices in New York State lack adequate screening and public warnings regarding lead contamination in donated game meat.
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