N.J. Squirrel Safe To Eat

(From The Associated Press)

Squirrel eaters in New Jersey have been told that the bushy-tailed rodents are likely safe to eat, after earlier being advised the unlikely delicacies could contain toxic metals.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY said earlier this year it had discovered high levels of lead in a squirrel taken from near a waste dump in the Ringwood area and advised people to eat the rodents no more than twice a week.

Officials have now said the test results were an error.

"A blender that was used to process the tissues into usable samples was defective and was identified as the source of the lead contamination," the Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement dated Monday.

THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE describes squirrel as "good table fare," offering recipes for squirrel chowder, stew and barbecue.

Matt McCormick, thanks for the post.

[I'll sick with Taylor Ham.]