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NZFSA takes a walk on the wild side

25 August 2008

Hunting and gathering wild food is an important part of Kiwi life and a new range of educational resources from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority aims to keep this practice safe.

A study commissioned by NZFSA and carried out by the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research Ltd (ESR) to look at the chemical and microbial risks in wild food showed that wild foods do not present a huge risk concerning poisons and bacterial contamination. However, the study did identify a lack of reliable information on how to safely harvest and eat wild foods.

To address this lack of information, NZFSA has developed a Wild Food Safety DVD and two complementary booklets, Food Safety for Hunters and Food Safety for Seafood Gatherers, with information for the growing number of Kiwis who either hunt, fish or gather food from the wild. These resources will help them minimise the risks posed by wild foods and make safe decisions about how to catch, store and eat foods such as wild game, ducks and other game birds, and seafood.

The comprehensive source of information covers everything from the preparations you need to make before leaving home; how to handle your catch when you’re in the bush or on the boat; keeping it clean and fresh while transporting it home; packaging it for the fridge or freezer; and how to cook it safely for you and your family to enjoy.

The Wild Food Safety DVD will be widely distributed to hunters and gatherers through the Hunting & Fishing Catalogue as well as the Fish & Game NZ magazine in early September. The DVD and booklets are also available from NZFSA by phoning the consumer helpline on 0800 NZFSA1 (0800 693 721).

Ends

For further comment contact: Jim Sim, Senior Programme Manager (Animal Products), 04 894 2609 or 029 894 2609.

For further information contact: Megan Clarkin, Advisor (Project Communications), 04 894 2642 or 029 894 2642.

Find the two booklets at: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/hunting-collecting-fishing/