Merits and Demerits of eating game meat (Bush meat)

Game animals can be defined as
land mammals and birds, either in
the wild or farmed, which are not
normally considered to be
domestic animals, but are usually
hunted for food. Examples of
these animals include apes, such
as chimpanzees and gorillas, as
well as crocodiles, antelopes and
scaly ant eaters. In Nigeria, game
animals are commonly referred to
as "Bush meat".
Thousands of wild animals get
caught in snares across Africa to
feed the huge appetite for bush
meat.
However, eating bush meat has its
merits and demerits with regards
to health implications.The
advantage of eating game animals
cannot be overemphasised.
Game meat has less saturated fat,
which makes it healthier than
other fatty meats. They are also
low in calories when compared
with beef and pork.
Secondly, wild game meat is high
in Eicosapentaenoic acid, an
essential omega -3 fatty acid that
has several health benefits.
Thirdly, wild game grows in a
natural environment. This makes
their meat rich in vitamins and
minerals, and free from growth
hormones which are used in
domestic meat and poultry
production.
Thus, game meat is a good source
of organic meat.
However, despite these benefits,
great caution should be taken
when eating game meat because
of the following reasons.
Lack of proper meat inspection
procedures
Consumption of game meat may
be particularly dangerous because
most of these animals are caught
in traps, shot at by hunters, and in
some cases, found dead in the
bush and sold into the market
straight away, without any meat
inspection procedures carried out
on the carcass by a professional to
examine and guarantee that their
flesh and organs, are free of
disease and any food- borne
contaminant or pathogen. In fact,
experts say ape meat pose
particular risks, with the HIV virus
widely believed to have
originated from chimpanzees.
Apes also host diseases such as
ebola, anthrax and yellow fever.
Ingestion of lead bullet
fragments
A majority of game animals are
usually shot by hunters using
bullets made of lead. Fragments of
these bullets can be seen when
you examine the tissues of these
animals. In some cases, while
chewing on the meat, you can feel
like there is some grit or small
stone in it.
The implication of ingesting this
lead pellets is that overtime, it will
result in unsafe levels of lead in
the body and this can interfere
with a variety of metabolic
activities in our bodies. Lead can
also be toxic to many organs and
tissues including the heart, bones,
intestines, kidneys, reproductive
and nervous systems.
Smoking process contaminates
meat
Most game meat is usually
preserved by smoking and
evidence suggests that smoked
foods may contain carcinogens (a
substance capable of causing
cancer in living tissue). This is
because, the smoking process
contaminates food with some
compounds known as polycystic
hydrocarbons and nitrosamines,
which are commonly found in
smoke. These compounds are
known carcinogens. In fact, some
scientific studies have found a
positive statistical correlation
between intestinal tract cancer
and frequent intake of smoked
food.
As much as game meat is an
irresistible delicacy in many
cultures all over Nigeria and the
world at large, great caution
should be taken when handling or
before the consumption of these
animals. Here are a few steps that
should be put into consideration to
reduce the chances of contact with
pathogens that may be present on
and in the game animals.
First, wash your hands thoroughly
with antiseptic soap or solution
after handling the carcass of any
game meat.
Second, do not cut the meat into
large chunks. It is better to cut
into small chunks so that the heat
from boiling can easily penetrate
the meat. If the chunks are too
large, the centre may not be
properly cooked because the heat
may not be able to penetrate.
Also, after cutting, rinse properly
until all traces of blood is
removed.
Finally, you must ensure that you
cook game meat properly. Never
eat it raw. This is because they
may contain a alot of micro
organisms and parasites that can
severely harm you.
An example is a case study of a 13
year old boy named Weijie from
the Zhejiang province in Shanghai,
China. He was diagnosed with
Pentastomiasis (a zoonotic
parasitic disease caused by blood
sucking worms known as
pentastomes) after eating the raw
gall bladder of a snake. Hundreds
of parasites were found in Weijie's
lung, liver, intestines and kidneys
at the Fudan University's Children
Hospital.
The snake's gall bladder was given
to him by his parents because
they thought it would keep their
son healthy and improve his eye
sight. Sounds funny though, but
this is a Chinese myth.
Meng Silang, vice-secretary
general of the Shanghai
Traditional Medicine Association,
says "Snake gall bladder is good
for eyesight and clearing inner
heat. The appropriate way is to
parch the gall bladder and make it
into a powder."
Have a great weekend.