Avoid a crook gut with your wild duck this season

With the duck shooting season starting on May 1, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is reminding hunters how to keep their game safe to eat.

“Wild game birds offer a challenge to hunters and the reward of a delicious meal at the table but even the most succulent bird can be destroyed by poor food safety practices,” says NZFSA animal products programme manager Jim Sim.

“The main risk when hunting is bacterial contamination, which is usually the result of poor handling or bacteria on the bird. Remember the duck you eat tonight may have been swimming in an oxidation pond this morning.

“To keep off-flavours and odours from developing in the meat, and reduce your risk of foodborne illness, remember a few food safety tips.

“It’s essential to cool your birds and gut them as soon as possible after shooting them. Hang them out of the sun – don’t pile them up. Make sure you have clean water available to wash hands and knives regularly while you are processing your birds. Birds should be processed and into the refrigerator or freezer the same day they are shot.

“At home, store your ducks in a sealed container on a low rack in the fridge to reduce the chance of any juices dripping onto other food. If you don’t plan to eat the meat immediately, freeze the carcass whole or in parts while it is still fresh.

“Wash hands, knives, and chopping boards used with the bird with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly to avoid contaminating other food.

“Game birds need to be cooked thoroughly, long and slow to make sure any harmful bacteria are killed – a crock-pot is ideal. Refrigerate leftovers and use within two days.”

More information about how to handle game birds, wild game and seafood is available on NZFSA’s Wild Food Safety DVD and booklets Food Safety for Hunters and Food Safety for Seafood Gatherers.

The resources are available by phoning NZFSA’s consumer helpline on 0800 NZFSA1 (0800 693 721). See clips of the DVD on Youtube under the username NZFSA, or download from the consumer section of NZFSA’s website at www.nzfsa.govt.nz