Wild Game & Foraging [split from S.F. board]

[Fine]

I'm a bit curious and too busy (and lazy) right now to look it up, but federal law has always, as far as I know, prohibited fresh game being sold. I suppose it could be farm raised. Do you happen to know?

Thanks.

[Xiao Yang]

Wild game cannot be sold under any circumstances, fresh or not, but can be used for personal consumption. Farm-raised game can be sold fresh or otherwise.

Here's a site with a lot of info about game in a nutshell:

http://www.hoptechno.com/bookgame.htm

[Fine]

Thanks for interesting link.

I did not see the answer to one unresolved question: I thought only domestic wild foodstuffs* couldn't be sold; I did not think it pertained to those from other countries. Do you happen to know that for certain?

*A special the other night at PIzzaiolo was wild mushrooms from Tilden Park. Is this a different category?

Thanks.

[Xiao Yang]

There was this language on that page:

"FDA has jurisdiction over imported fish, buffalo, rabbits, venison, wild game, and all other foods not covered by the Federal meat and poultry inspection laws. Meat and poultry exported from another country must meet all safety standards applied to foods produced in the United States, and this must be verified annually."

This may mean that the meat must be processed in a facility built and maintained to USFDA standards, as was the case with Serrano hams.

[Joan Kureczka]

Mushrooms, berries and the like are definitely in a different category and can be foraged and sold. The big issues are just with meat, due to risks of disease transmission to humans.

[wolfe]

Fine may have been kidding but it is important that you or your merchant are familiar with the credentials of your wild mushroom hunter.

[Xiao Yang]

And what's the law on the wild asparagus?

[wolfe]

The law should be: If Euell Gibbons won't eat it, neither should you.

[Xiao Yang]

The implication that wild came can be imported under certain conditions suggests that the USDA's concern may be with over-harvesting rather than health issues; either that, or the USDA and the USFDA are not on the same page, which also wouldn't be surprising.

[Ruth Lafler]

There are significant health issues, since wild deer may carry and transmit a disease similar to mad cow disease (a prion disease called chronic wasting disease) and boar still carries trichinosis, which has been eliminated from the commercial pork supply.

[gatun]

ahh.. I don' t think you can legally forage mushrooms from Tilden Park.

[Joan Kureczka]

Yes, all farm raised. Mostly from New Zealand, but there are a few farms for venison and elk here in the US as well.