Maine Warns Hunters to Discard Deer and Turkey Meat Due to Toxic PFAS Levels

As Maine’s deer season hits full stride, the state has advised hunters to dispose of venison and wild turkey meat harvested in certain areas.

High levels of perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” have been detected in these animals in specific regions, prompting concerns over food safety.

On Thursday, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MCDC) issued a “Do Not Eat” advisory for Unity, Unity Township, Freedom, and Albion—adding 9.8 square miles to an existing 25-square-mile advisory area in Somerset County from 2021.

This expanded caution follows testing that identified elevated PFOS, a PFAS compound, in deer samples from the contaminated soil areas.

MDIFW has warned that hunters should throw away any venison or wild turkey meat harvested from these zones, including any meat stored from previous seasons.

PFAS chemicals, once popular for non-stick coatings and stain resistance, are now known for their environmental resilience, lingering in soils and water for years.

“Forever chemicals” have found their way into Maine’s soils due to the application of biosolids, leading to their buildup in animals through the food chain.

Studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including liver damage and thyroid issues. MDIFW further notes that deer and turkeys from advisory areas are likely to carry these toxic substances due to exposure to contaminated water and forage.

Maine is not the only state issuing such warnings. Michigan’s Clark’s Marsh area, Wisconsin’s deer liver, and New Hampshire’s game meat have all had similar advisories, highlighting a wider environmental concern that hunters across the U.S. now face.

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