Midwest Meeting Planned to Discuss Lead Fragments Found in Venison

Experts on wildlife, public health and food safety from five states are meeting in Minnesota this week to talk about lead fragments in deer shot by hunters.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting a meeting tomorrow, June 4, to discuss the concerns surrounding this problem..

DNR Wildlife Section Chief Dennis Simon says the meeting kicks off a regional effort to come up with recommendations on the issue. Each state will evaluate its venison-donation program, which allows hunters to give meat to food shelves.

Some venison was recalled from food shelves in Minnesota and North Dakota after lead fragments were found in the meat. Officials say they didn’t know the health risks associated with consumption of lead particles from ammunition. No illnesses have been reported.

The meeting will include hunting representatives and officials from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.