Kangaroo meat is marketed as a high-quality, lean, and novel protein source for pets and humans, particularly in Australia. However, its use in pet food has been linked to significant safety incidents and health risks, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to fatal toxification. From paddock to table or dog bowl, the lack of strict regulation in the raw ‘pet meat’ industry in some regions has been highlighted as a hazard including butchering in the wild and transport related issues.

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The exports

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The graphs summarise the quantity and value (in $AUD) of exports of Kangaroo meat (fresh, chilled or frozen meat and edible meat offal), to the country of destination and by calendar year (2017 to 2023). The data has been sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Catalogue 9920.0. The data includes all Kangaroo products exported under tariff code 0208.90.11

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Examples of events impacting human health

“During the outbreak of toxoplasmosis in 1994 (incorrectly listed as 1993 in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) report) there were 13 cases of infection (from eating Kangaroo meat). There were no deaths. Symptoms included myalgia, headache, lethargy, fever, chills lymphadenopathy. Four of the 13 cases had no symptoms. The cases are detailed in the Department of Health's journal Communicable Diseases Intelligence”. Australian Senate

“An outbreak of Salmonellosis occurred in August 2024 after consuming wild hunted Kangaroo in a remote area of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia…..All seven cases consumed the same meal – a single, locally hunted and butchered Kangaroo. Contamination likely occurred due to unsafe butchering, storage, transportation and insufficient cooking of the meat. This outbreak highlights the risks of contamination of game meat (in this case Kangaroo) with Salmonella”. Australian Centre for Disease Control, Australian Government

“Q fever is a re-emerging pathogen of increasing public health importance. This zoonosis, caused by Coxiella burnetii, can lead to acute and chronic illnesses in humans. While many infections are mild or asymptomatic, severe illness requiring hospitalisation and death can occur…..Domestic cattle, sheep and goats are important reservoirs for C. burnetii and exposure to aerosols and dust generated from infected animals is a well-established risk factor. Of particular importance in transmission are the birth products of ruminants, which contain extremely high concentrations of C. burnetii. Typical high risk occupations associated with Q fever infection include farming, abattoir work and veterinary practice. Domestic pets, wild animals and ticks are also important reservoirs, although the role they play in the transmission of human disease is not well understood. In Australia, Bandicoots, Kangaroos, Possums, Dingoes, Cats, Foxes and wild Pigs have all shown serological evidence of C. burnetii infection”. Department of Health and Agre Care, Australian Government