Wild boar meat safety

Abstract

The production chain for game meat is specific and differs from the production chain of meat from domestic livestock. The aim of this study is to present the most important hazards potentially associated with wild boar meat consumption in Serbia. The most important organism is Trichinella spp., as the only well-established causative agent of disease outbreaks after consumption of wild boar meat. Trichinella spp. are endemic in Serbia and this leads to outbreaks every year. The second most important species is Salmonella, and there are several reports about its prevalence in the game animal population in Serbia. Chemical hazards, cadmium and lead, have also been detected in the meat and internal organs of wild boar in Serbia. These hazards are considered highly important as they reflect environment pollution, meaning they are especially important for wild boar populations inhabiting areas close to industrial plants or agricultural areas intensively treated with agrochemicals. An adequate and reliable system for the control of wild boar meat safety has to be provided. The system should be based on relevant data from our country, and thus, wild boar meat safety is an issue that requires further, comprehensive research.