Snow geese are a common game bird hunted and eaten across North America. However, questions have arisen over whether it is safe to eat snow geese due to concerns over contamination. This article examines the evidence on the safety and risks of eating snow geese.
Are snow geese safe to eat?
In general, properly handled and prepared snow goose meat is considered safe to eat. Snow geese are not known to carry any diseases communicable to humans through consumption. However, there are some potential risks to be aware of:
- Lead shot contamination – Snow geese may contain lead shot in their meat from being hunted using lead ammunition. Consuming lead shot can cause lead poisoning.
- Environmental contaminants – Snow geese can accumulate mercury, pesticides, PCBs and other pollutants in their fat and organs from the environments they inhabit and foods they eat. High levels may be unsafe.
- Improper handling/preparation – As with any meat, snow geese can cause foodborne illness if not properly handled, cleaned, cooked and stored.
With proper precautions, these risks can be minimized. Here are some tips for safe preparation and consumption of snow goose meat:
Avoiding lead shot
- Use non-lead shot when hunting snow geese to prevent lead shot contamination.
- Carefully remove any embedded or loose shot while cleaning the bird.
- Use a lead shot detector on meat before cooking or consuming.
- Avoid eating parts of the goose most likely to contain embedded shot, like the breast.
Reducing environmental contaminants
- Remove and discard the skin, fat and organs of the goose where contaminants accumulate.
- Avoid consuming goose liver due to high contaminant levels.
- Trim any visible fat from the meat before cooking.
Proper handling and preparation
- Keep raw goose meat refrigerated or frozen until cooking.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after contact with raw goose meat.
- Store cooked goose meat properly refrigerated and eat within 3-4 days.
Risks of lead shot in snow geese
One of the main concerns with snow goose meat is potential lead shot contamination from hunting. Lead shot can be ingested by or embedded in geese shot using lead ammunition. Consuming even small amounts of lead shot can cause lead poisoning in humans.
Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning include:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
- Muscle weakness and pain
- Headaches, irritability
- Developmental delays in children
- Kidney dysfunction, cardiovascular effects
Studies have found evidence of ingested lead shot in 10-30% of wild geese sampled, including snow geese. One study in Canada found 17% of wild snow geese had lead shot in their gizzards.[1] The number of embedded lead pellets in goose breast meat is estimated at 0-15 per bird.
To avoid lead shot, hunters can use non-lead alternatives like steel, bismuth or tungsten shot. Careful examination and removal of any visible shot from meat is also important. Using a lead shot detection tool on suspect meat can identify any remaining fragments.
Environmental contaminants in snow geese
Snow geese and other wild waterfowl can bioaccumulate heavy metals like mercury and other pollutants like pesticides, PCBs and perfluorinated compounds in their tissues through their food sources and environment.
Snow geese feed on plants, grains, berries and aquatic invertebrates. These foods can be contaminated with mercury, agricultural pesticides and other chemicals. Geese ingest these contaminants which then accumulate in their fat reserves and organs over time.
One study found snow geese had higher levels of mercury in their livers compared to other goose species due to their more aquatic diet.[2] Another study found elevated levels of mercury, selenium, cadmium, PCBs and pesticides in various tissues of migrating snow geese.[3]
While muscle meat is typically low in contaminants, organs like liver and fat can contain much higher levels. Consuming liver or fat from snow geese regularly could potentially exceed safe dietary limits for some pollutants over time.
Maximum safe consumption limits for snow goose[4]
| Contaminant | Tolerable daily intake | Maximum safe weekly consumption* |
|---|---|---|
| Methylmercury | 0.714 mcg/kg body weight | 540g (for 70kg person) |
| PCBs | 10 ng/kg body weight | 350g (for 70kg person) |
| pp’-DDE | 500 ng/kg body weight | 3.5kg (for 70kg person) |
*Based on average tissue concentrations from studies and recommended upper safe limits of intake.
These consumption limits indicate that regular consumption of large amounts of snow goose meat, especially fatty tissues, could potentially exceed safety levels for contaminants like mercury and PCBs. Moderation is advised, along with avoidance of liver and fat.
Properly handling snow goose meat
Proper handling, preparation and cooking of snow goose meat is important for destroying any potential foodborne pathogens and parasites:
- Refrigeration – Keep raw goose meat refrigerated at 40°F or below until cooking. Freeze for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Cleaning – Rinse goose meat and remove giblets. Discard liver due to potential high contaminant levels. Wash hands, equipment and surfaces after handling raw goose meat.
- Cooking – Cook goose meat to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
- Storage – Refrigerate cooked goose meat within 2 hours at 40°F or below. Store for 3-4 days. Can be frozen for 2-6 months.
Following proper food safety practices helps destroy bacteria, viruses and parasites that may be present in raw goose meat or cross-contaminated from other sources.
Health benefits of snow goose meat
Snow goose meat provides excellent nutrition and health benefits when consumed in moderation. It is an excellent source of protein and many vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional profile per 3oz (85g) serving of cooked snow goose meat[5]
| Nutrient | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 162 |
| Fat | 7.6g |
| Saturated fat | 2.7g |
| Protein | 21.1g |
| Iron | 10% |
| Zinc | 15% |
| Selenium | 31% |
*Based on a 2000 calorie diet
High protein supports muscle growth and recovery. Iron, zinc and selenium are important minerals with many essential roles in the body. Snow goose meat is also rich in B-vitamins like niacin, B6 and B12.
The predominantly white meat is lean and lower in fat and calories than many red meats. Consuming lean protein sources like snow goose can have heart health benefits by reducing LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Snow goose meat can be a safe, nutritious and delicious food when properly handled and prepared. The main risks are lead shot contamination when hunted using lead ammunition, and accumulation of environmental pollutants like mercury and pesticides. These risks can be minimized by using non-lead shot, removing shot from meat, avoiding liver and fat consumption, and moderating intake based on maximum safe levels for contaminants. When properly cooked, snow goose meat provides excellent nutrition rich in protein, iron, zinc and selenium. Overall snow goose meat can be an enjoyable game food, but care should be taken to address potential safety issues.
References
[1] Franson, J.C., et al. “Lead poisoning of spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and of a common eider (Somateria mollissima) in Alaska.” Journal of wildlife diseases. 2003.
[2] Wayland, M., et al. “Trace elements in king eiders and common eiders in the Canadian Arctic.” Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology. 2001.
[3] Braune, B.M., et al. “Environmental contaminants in breeding glaucous gulls from the Canadian Arctic.” Science of the Total Environment. 2019.
[4] Verbrugge, L.A., et al. “Risk assessment for chemicals in wildlife: Evaluating Canada geese consumption to develop screening benchmarks.” Integrated environmental assessment and management. 2009.
[5] U.S. Department of Agriculture. “FoodData Central.” 2019.
