Assessment of lead exposure to the Norwegian population by consumption of game meat which are shot with lead-based ammunition
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has requested the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) to assess the significance of lead exposure to the Norwegian population by consumption of game meat including meat from farmed deer, when the animals are shot with lead-based ammunition.
If a health hazard concerning lead exposure is identified by VKM, the distribution of lead from ammunition in the carcass of a newly shot animal should be surveyed. VKM is also asked to assess whether it is possible to purify the game meat from lead residues, and if so, to estimate the tissue areal associated with the wound channel that has to be removed.
VKM is to present, if any, other appropriate measures in addition to removing tissue in order to limit the content of lead residues from ammunition in game meat.
Additionally, VKM is asked to assess the significance of lead exposure to the health of pets, such as hunting dogs, when they are being fed with trimmings from the wound channel of big game animals shot with lead-based ammunition.