Arsenic contamination found in French wild game

Recent analyses in the Orbiel valley have revealed arsenic contamination in wild game, specifically in the flesh, liver, and kidneys of wild boar. This contamination is linked to the legacy of the former Salsigne mine in the Aude department, which was once a major producer of arsenic. Despite containment efforts costing approximately 45 million euros since 1999, over 800,000 tonnes of arsenic remain buried, with pollution spreading through wind, rain runoff, and river flooding.

Because wild game is not subject to the same sanitary controls as water or vegetables, consumers may be exposed to undetected contamination. This issue arises in a region where game consumption is a significant culinary tradition. In departments such as Dordogne, Landes, and Corrèze, wild game like hare, boar, and deer remains a staple of local gastronomy, with some areas consuming twice the national average.