The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has requested that food shelves with donated venison withhold from distributing the meat until it completes testing for lead.

Concern over possible lead contamination in the fledging state venison donation program stems from recent reports out of North Dakota suggesting a problem could exist.

Concern has been voiced about possible lead contamination in venison donated via a venison donation program in Minnesota. Here's one that wasn 't donated. He also has a friend playing in the snow. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has requested that food shelves with donated venison withhold from distributing the meat until it completes testing for lead.

Concern over possible lead contamination in the fledging state venison donation program stems from recent reports out of North Dakota suggesting a problem could exist.

According to North Dakota Department of Health, a Bismarck physician and hunter contacted them with concerns about lead earlier this year.

Dr. William Cornatzer had collected 95 packages of donated ground venison with X-rays showing the presence of metal in 53 packages.

Tests by the North Dakota Department of Health on five samples of the metal pieces all tested strongly for lead.

"We know that swallowing lead can cause serious health problems for young children," said Sandi Washek, Lead Program coordinator for the North Dakota Department of Health in a press release.

Harmful to adults and children

Lead can be harmful to adults and children, but children under the age of six and pregnant women are especially at-risk, the official noted.

It's not known whether lead particles in wild game presents a health problem in North Dakota, but state officials recommended the remaining donated ground venison not be distributed.

According to MDA Communications Director Michael Schommer, the MDA will be collecting samples of donated Minnesota venison and performing tests for the presence of lead.

Testing could be completed within a week of obtaining the samples, he indicated.

These deer scout for food; landowner donates some nutrition. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

State officials are unaware of any lead-tainted venison being reported in Minnesota, said Schommer.

One unknown is exactly how much of the donated venison still remains at the food shelves, he noted.

Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, a driving force behind the Minnesota's venison donation program - he himself donated venison last fall - views the request to withhold venison distribution in Minnesota as reasonable. "I think it's fine to do a pause, to take a look," he said.

2,000 deer were donated

About 2,000 deer were donated last year under the state's venison donation program, said Hansen.

The first deer was donated in September and was taken by bow, he said. It wasn't shot.

According to MDA, some 78,000 pounds of venison has been donated to 97 food shelves across Minnesota.

Donated deer must be processed by licensed and inspected meat processors.

Lead is often found in the environment.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, about 1.2 million homes throughout Minnesota, contain at least some lead paint.

Lead affects the nervous system.