LANSING, Mich. - As Michigan's 2025-2026 deer hunting season ramps up, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) urges consumers to use caution when purchasing venison, processed specialty venison products and other meats, especially when shopping online.

"MDARD works tirelessly to make sure businesses are following the law to keep your food safe and help your family stay healthy," said Tim Slawinski, director of MDARD's Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health. "Before you buy venison products, check the product label and make sure the food was processed at an approved facility. And when shopping online, don't assume that all online marketplaces and vendors are licensed and inspected companies."

Reviewing the product label is a good way to tell if venison is being offered for sale legally. A proper product label will list the:

• Product's ingredients,
• Weight of the product,
• Name, address, and contact information for the licensed food business, and
• Best by date, if needed.

MDARD recommends that consumers refrain from purchasing venison products from vendors, websites and online marketplaces that fail to provide product labels and ingredient lists. Consumers may always request to see a copy of the seller s food license.

In Michigan, there are three ways to legally sell venison, elk meat and meat from other cervids:

1. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) licenses and regulates game ranches across the state. Deer and elk from these DNR-licensed facilities can be processed at a meat processing facility licensed and inspected by MDARD and sold through MDARD-licensed retail grocery stores or wholesale facilities, with proper labeling as required under the Michigan Food Law.
2. MDARD-licensed and inspected meat processors can accept hunter-harvested deer and process it into ground meat or sausage where fat from other animals and spices are added. They can also create value-added meat items like jerky and smoked meats, but this requires a special variance issued by MDARD, along with a food establishment license.
3. Hunters can take their deer to a custom meat processor that does not have a license if the venison is simply cut and wrapped, but this meat must be marked as Not for Sale and used for personal use/consumption by the hunter. This meat can be shared with friends and family by the hunter but not resold. If further processing like grinding with added fat, sausage making, or smoking is needed, the processor must be licensed.

Food products that are not properly prepared or handled can become contaminated with organisms like E. coli which can cause serious illness or even death. Purchasing food products from a licensed and inspected source, along with properly preparing, cooking and storing foods, helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

For more food safety tips and information, visit MDARD's food safety web page. MDARD also has a venison processing guide for retail food establishments. Visit the DNR's deer hunting page for information about hunting seasons, licensing and more. Read the Michigan State University Extension bulletin on Handling, Using and Storing Venison.

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