A HACCP-One Health framework for estimating and managing food safety risk in game meat supply chains: Insights from Zambia

Abstract Background: Game meat is consumed in Zambia, yet the supply chain remains weakly regulated compared with that of domestic livestock systems. Wild game, harvested under uncontrolled conditions, often lack veterinary oversight, biosecurity, or hygienic infrastructure, creating food safety risk. In contrast, farmed game benefits from some biosecurity practices, although gaps remain. Understanding these risks is essential for safeguarding public health and promoting sustainable wildlife management. Aim: This study aimed to identify hazardous practices and potential food safety hazards in Zambia’s farmed and wild game meat supply chains and to explore how a One Health (OH) approach, which is an integrative framework that links human, animal, and environmental health, can be applied to manage these risks. Methods: A qualitative mixed-methods design was applied in the Lusaka district, combining 18 key informant interviews, 4 direct observations from local butcheries, and hazard analysis using the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) framework. The participants included hunters, farmers, butchers, regulators, researchers, conservationists, and consumers. The data were thematically coded using grounded theory, and hazards were then identified from the data using the HACCP framework, with risks ranked by severity and likelihood across sourcing, processing, distribution, sales, consumption and by-products. Findings: Wild game meat poses the greatest food safety risk due to the absence of ante-mortem inspections, unhygienic slaughter and handling in the field, gastrointestinal tract damage during shooting, incomplete bleeding, and transport in open vehicles. Cultural practices such as consuming spoiled meat further increase food safety hazards. Farmed game meat demonstrated lower risks, supported by biosecurity measures, veterinary inspections, and cold storage. However, hazards persist, particularly from broken cold chains and delayed evisceration. Conclusions: Wild game meat consistently presents greater food safety hazards than farmed game meat does, although both require improved oversight. This article shows how an OH approach that integrates veterinary, public health, and environmental (processing and handling) could support the management of food safety risks. The recommended measures include standardized inspections, stronger biosecurity measures, mobile hygienic processing units, cold chain enforcement, consumer education, and regulatory reform. Interdisciplinary collaboration is critical for safer game meat supply chains in Zambia. One Health impact statement This article demonstrates how an OH approach can effectively manage food safety risks in Zambia’s game meat supply chain, benefiting public health, animal welfare, and the environment. By fostering collaboration among the human health, veterinary, environmental, and regulatory sectors, this study identified unsafe food handling and processing practices, associated hazards, and developed targeted interventions that are not possible through isolated efforts. The integration of academic research with practical knowledge from local butchers, game farmers, and government officials enabled the co-production of actionable, context-specific solutions such as improved traceability and biosecurity practices that enhance food safety and reduce disease transmission from game animals to humans through meat handling and consumption. This transdisciplinary strategy has a greater impact by safeguarding both urban consumers and rural livelihoods, supporting sustainable wildlife management, and informing policies for safer, more resilient food systems.