Two related studies in Austria drew attention to the potential for lead shot to contaminate dog foods made from raw wild game animals. Together, the findings suggest both hunting methods and and processing-related factors contribute to the potential for lead presence in commercial products.
In a 2024 study published in Pets, researchers examined 47 commercial “bones-and-raw-food” dog foods made from wild game and retailed in Austria. The products included muscle tissue, liver, rumen, bones and mixed offal intended for raw feeding.
Using a calibrated metal detector and radiography, the researchers found:
- Metal-dense particles in 35 of 47 samples
- Particles ≥1 millimeter in 13 samples
- Detectable lead concentrations above 1.5 milligrams per kilogram wet weight in 19 samples (40%)
- Five samples (11%) exceeding the European Union maximum level for general animal feed of 10 milligrams per kilogram wet weight
The highest measured lead concentration was 57.1 milligrams per kilogram wet weight. Even when samples tested negative with the metal detector, radiographs frequently revealed smaller metal-dense particles. The authors reported that large fragments were detected in three samples by metal detector, with particle dimensions up to 10 millimeters × 8 millimeters × 5 millimeters. However, most contamination consisted of numerous small particles, often less than 1 millimeter in diameter.
Although European legislation sets a maximum of 10 milligrams of lead per kilogram wet weight for general animal feed (Directive 2002/32/EC), the study authors noted that even compliant products may still contain lead fragments and smaller particles that contribute to exposure.
Mincing process generates additional small fragments
A follow-up experimental study published in 2025 in Wiener Tierärztliche Monatsschrift – Veterinary Medicine Austria examined whether mechanical mincing contributes to pellet fragmentation .
Researchers embedded lead shot pellets of 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 millimeters diameter into lean pork and processed the meat through grinder plates with 4, 5 and 8 millimeter perforations.
After mincing, intact pellets were recovered in 13 of 24 to 18 of 24 cases, depending on pellet and plate combination. However, damaged pellets, halved pellets and numerous smaller fragments were also documented.
The calculated mass of “small fragments,” defined as material smaller than half a pellet, ranged from 0.3% to 16.2% of the original pellet mass, corresponding to 1.0 to 103.7 milligrams of lead per kilogram of meat. Radiographic analysis confirmed additional metal-dense particles between 0.1 and 1.5 millimeters that were not visible during manual inspection.
“We conclude that the mincing process influences the integrity of lead pellets embedded in (wild game) meat, resulting not only in large fragments but also in numerous small fragments,” the authors wrote.
Carry-over was also observed. In 2 of 6 to 6 of 6 control portions, pellets or large fragments appeared despite no embedded shot, indicating retention in grinder components and cross-contamination between batches.
Two studies on lead fragments in pet food considered together
While metal detection may identify larger fragments, the 2024 study demonstrated that products negative by metal detector could still contain elevated lead levels. The authors of both studies recommend sourcing meat from animals killed with non-lead ammunition to reduce risk. Processing controls alone may not be sufficient to ensure compliance with regulatory limits or to minimize exposure.
From a food safety management perspective, the presence of both chemical hazards (lead content) and physical hazards (hard fragments) requires hazard analysis under Article 29 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009, as discussed in the 2024 study.
Although most samples in the retail survey did not exceed the legal maximum, the authors cautioned that results should not be interpreted as prevalence data. Nonetheless, the repeated detection of fragments and measurable lead suggests that current sourcing and process controls may not fully mitigate contamination risks.
