The Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency has found the pathogenic bacterium Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in one out of four packets of minced game meat. By comparison, STEC was found in one out of 15 packets of minced beef.
This is evident from this year’s Annual Report on Zoonoses, published by the DTU National Food Institute in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency and the Statens Serum Institut.
As the initial handling of game often takes place outside the slaughterhouse, it is crucial for food safety that the hunter takes great care with hygiene when field-dressing the killed animal.
“Although visible contamination with gastrointestinal contents poses a particularly high risk, bacteria may also be present even when the meat looks clean – as the bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye,” says Camilla Thougaard Vester, Academic Officer at the DTU National Food Institute.
Bacteria transferred from the game’s intestines to the surface of the meat during slaughter and handling can be eliminated by adequate heat treatment.
“If the meat is minced, there is a risk that bacteria will be distributed throughout the entire product. The Agency therefore recommends that minced game meat be cooked thoroughly,” explains Head of Unit Sørine Quaade Møller from the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency.
STEC in game sausages requires special attention
No STEC was found in any of the fermented beef sausages, but it was found in seven out of 19 fermented game sausages.
“Game sausage is eaten without prior heat treatment, so when we find STEC bacteria in so many of the products, it underlines the importance of good hygiene when handling game,” says Sørine Quaade Møller, continuing:
“It is crucial that the fermentation and the rest of the production process ensure that any pathogenic bacteria are reduced or inactivated, so the product is safe to eat.”
Can cause serious disease, particularly in children
The STEC bacterium can cause serious and, in some cases, life-threatening disease, which is why the number of cases is monitored on an ongoing basis. In 2025, 1,049 cases of STEC were recorded.
“In the most serious cases, STEC infection can lead to kidney failure, and children are particularly at risk. Precisely because of the severity of this infection, it is important to identify all sources of infection,” says Head of Unit Susanne Schjørring from the Statens Serum Institut.
