Is Game meats safe during pregnancy?
NHS advises avoiding game meats in pregnancy (possible lead from shot). If eaten, cook thoroughly.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingUse with care
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
NHS advises avoiding game meats such as goose, partridge, pheasant and venison during pregnancy because they may contain lead, which can harm a baby. FDA notes raw or undercooked venison is a source of Toxoplasma, so any game should be cooked to USDA temperatures (145°F with rest for whole cuts, 160°F ground, 165°F poultry). US agencies don't give a separate game-meat limit, so we follow NHS's cautious view.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
venison, deer meat, elk, wild boar, pheasant, partridge, goose, wild duck, game meat, moose
Sources
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- FDA: Toxoplasma (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)
- USDA/FSIS: Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.