Game meat consumption and foodborne illness in Japan: A web-based questionnaire survey

Abstract

Game meat represents a unique source of foodborne illness in humans; however, little is published on the amount consumed and preparation methods in Japan. The objectives of our study were to describe game meat consumption patterns and identify risk factors associated with illness attributed to game meat consumption in Japan. A Web-based survey regarding consumption of bear, wild boar, deer, duck, partridge, and pheasant was completed by 50,000 respondents; only 552 respondents (4.9% of game meat consumers) reported becoming ill after consuming such meat. There was an association between the number of game meat types consumed and the increasing prevalence of illness: 3.0 to 7.2% for one to five types of meat, with prevalence reaching nearly 30% when all six varieties were consumed. Generally, the odds of illness were greater among respondents who consumed raw game meat than those who consumed processed meat, after adjusting for the sex and the age of the respondent. Regarding place of meat preparation, the likelihood of illness was highest among respondents who hunted and prepared bear, boar, or deer meat at home. To inform the general public on needs for hygiene when handling game meat in the field, at home, or at businesses, guidelines and education from government sources are needed for hunters, meat processors, and restaurants.