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BfR symposium: Wild – prepared?

(14.03.2024 - 15.03.2024)

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has conducted scientific research on the broad topic of game meat food safety for 12 years.

The aim is to minimise metallic fragments in game meat from food-supplying game species obtained by hunting, which can pose health risks, especially for hunters and their families who are frequent consumers. Proof of minimising the introduction of metallic fragments from leaded and lead-free rifle bullets can only be provided through knowledge and standardised procedures.

The BfR raised the question of whether lead particles in game meat can increase the lead content of food after cooking at the "Wild - Well shot?" conference. The results of the investigation, which used pigs as a model animal in a feeding trial, will be presented. What is the impact of hygiene measures on game meat after shooting? This question was also investigated in a BfR dissertation, and the results are reported here.

How can metallic fragments be detected by weight, size and distribution in game meat (roe deer)? How are they distributed and how can they be detected? The detection of fragments also includes the question of how the various hunting bullets behave when fired. When using leaded or so-called lead-free bullets, various metals are used as bullet materials to convert the kinetic energy of the bullet into killing work. To ensure equal conditions for bullet testing and evaluation, a standardised firing procedure is necessary. Developing a standardised test and evaluation procedure for hunting rifle bullets required breaking new ground. To ensure objectivity, the test procedure should clearly describe the individual work steps, test criteria, and environmental conditions. These requirements indicate that additional investigations have to be conducted to compare two commonly used gelatin block sizes when firing different high-energy hunting bullets. The results showed that only the large block size is suitable as a test simulant for high-energy bullets. Further results indicate that additional investigations into the use of large gelatin blocks are necessary. It was also important to clarify the effects of different mold materials, the duration of the cooling phase, and the influence of different storage periods before firing on the test results. The results obtained from these investigations now allow the use of the internationally recognised test simulants such as gelatin and ballistic soap. Standardised test procedures and standardised evaluation procedures now enable reproducible results.

The BfR, together with an international panel of scientific experts, has summarised the results of the scientific investigations in a product profile for testing hunting bullets for food-supplying game species. These contains terms to be used in the test with information on the bullet, a physical fact sheet and a chemical fact sheet on the test procedure. The panel also adopted definitions and terminology to ensure uniform understanding.

To make the standardised test and evaluation procedure for proof tests of hunting bullets internationally usable, the BfR plans to conduct a round robin test with international participation in 2024.

In addition to scientific research, international exchange with experts is an important aspect. With the approval of the COST Action "Safety in the Game Meat Chain" (CA22166; duration 2023–2027), the BfR and the participating project partners are contributing to the establishment of a Europe-wide network of experts. The focus is on exchanging knowledge on health risks to consumers from game meat obtained from hunting along the entire product chain.

Two informative days await you at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment!

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