DHS and DNR update venison guidance and outreach after review of lead risks; processors, donation coordinators to receive notices

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said Sept. 24 they have refreshed public guidance and outreach on potential lead contamination in venison, following a joint review of existing materials and recent stakeholder input.

Brian Weaver, DHS lead policy advisor, told the Natural Resources Board that childhood lead poisoning remains a serious public‑health issue in Wisconsin and that while most cases relate to lead‑based paint and lead service lines, venison harvested with lead ammunition can carry lead fragments that pose an exposure risk. DHS said it updated advisory language to be clearer about best‑risk reduction steps: hunting with non‑lead ammunition eliminates the risk from ammunition, but for those who use lead ammunition, the agency now recommends specific processing practices such as avoiding meat from near the wound channel and favoring cuts far from the impact area rather than ground meat.

Jasmine Batten, DNR wildlife health section supervisor, said the agencies worked together with toxicologists, deer donation coordinators and processors to reformat and distribute guidance. New and updated products include a consumer flyer that summarizes how to reduce exposure risks, restoration of lead messages to the processor packet used by processors who accept donated deer, and a two‑sided notice for food pantries that participate in the state deer donation program. DNR officials said the donation program supplies about 1,300 deer a year (roughly 52,000 pounds of venison) to food banks statewide; the program’s materials will now include the new notice so recipients can make informed choices.

The agencies said there is not currently a routine statewide screening program for donated venison, and that x‑ray is the tool historically used by some programs to detect visible lead fragments in meat; however, DHS and DNR noted that microscopic fragments and dissolved lead are not visible on x‑ray and informed processing and consumption guidance assumes that risk cannot be reduced to zero unless non‑lead ammunition is used.

DHS said the state has not identified confirmed human lead‑poisoning cases attributable solely to venison consumption in Wisconsin during its investigations, but said public‑health investigations include venison and other potential sources when elevated blood lead levels are detected. Both agencies said outreach will continue: DNR added the guidance to its electronic hunting regulations booklet and the “Choose Wisely” advisory page; DHS will share materials with local health departments through its existing networks and maintain coordination with DNR and donation partners.

Speakers: Brian Weaver (Department of Health Services) and Jasmine Batten (Department of Natural Resources).