The Michigan Attorney General's Office and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are cautioning against the dangers of illegal venison sales online.
Venison, the red meat of a deer, is frequently available for purchase from November 15 to November 30, during the firearm-rich hunting season.
Consumers are urged to be vigilant about their sources for purchasing venison, processed venison products, and other meats. The concern stems from many online vendors operating without proper licensing, significantly increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses for unwary buyers.
Danger of the Illegal Venison Sales Online
Not all food items sold online have undergone inspections and are from licensed manufacturers.
Jeniffer Bonsky, MDARD Food, and Diary Division acting director, emphasized, "Many people assume food items sold online are from licensed and inspected companies, but this is not always the case."
She also warned consumers that before buying food and at this time of the year, particularly venison, they must ensure that the food is processed at a facility authorized by MDARD.
Bonky mentioned that their staff works hard to guarantee that businesses abide by the policies to keep patrons' food safe and families healthy.
Officials further stated that improper handling or packaging of food products increases the likelihood of contamination with microorganisms such as E. coli. E. coli infections are potentially fatal or lead to severe illness.
Facility inspections and licensing reduce the risk of contracting contaminated illnesses by ensuring food is packaged, cooked, and stored correctly.
Furthermore, MDARD said that meat from hunters can be eaten, but a specialized meat processor must process it. While it can be cut into pieces and wrapped, it should only be used by the hunter and their family and not be marked for sale.
"If further processing like grinding with added fat, sausage making, or smoking is needed, the processor must be licensed," MDARD stated.
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Ways to legally sell Venison in Michigan
Meanwhile, Michigan officials mentioned that there are few ways to legally sell venison, elk meat, and meat from other cervids.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Michigan licenses and oversees game farms all over the state. According to Michigan Food Law, deer and elk from these DNR-licensed facilities can be processed at a licensed meat processing facility and reviewed by MDARD. The meat can then be sold in grocery stores or wholesale facilities licensed by MDARD if it has the correct labels.
Deer harvested by hunters may be processed at any MDARD-accredited meat facility into ground meat or sausage, to which seasonings and lard from other animals are added.
Moreover, the processors may produce value-added products such as jerky, cured meats, and so forth; however, doing so necessitates a food establishment license and a particular variance issued by MDARD.
Hunters can transport their kill to a specialized meat processor without a license to chop and package it for personal use.
Meat can be shared with family and friends but not sold as "Not for Sale." The processor must be licensed to grind with fat, make sausage, or smoke.
Bonsky advised, "The label is the best indicator of whether or not venison being offered for sale is being sold lawfully."
Aside from the ingredients, weight, name, address, and contact information of the licensed food business, a proper label should include the product's "best by" date, if applicable. A copy of the vendor's food license may also be requested.
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