Eat moose liver and kidneys safely
Overview
Moose is an important and nutritious traditional food in the Northwest Territories. This page explains how often you can safely eat moose liver and kidneys based on where the animal was harvested. It helps you follow recommended monthly serving amounts and download the official guidance.
Find your region and follow safe monthly serving limits
Moose organ guidance is based on cadmium levels found in different regions of the NWT. A serving is 75 grams, about the size of a deck of cards.
Use the table below to find the recommended maximum monthly servings.
| Harvest region | Organ | Average cadmium level | Maximum monthly servings | Grams per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Mackenzie Mountains | Liver | 30.9 μg/g | 0.75 | 56 g |
| Kidney | 47 μg/g | 0.5 | 37 g | |
| Mackenzie and Liard valleys | Liver | 2.7 μg/g | 8-9 | 650 g |
| Kidney | 14 μg/g | 1-2 | 125 g | |
| Sahtu region | Liver | 2.3 μg/g | 10 | 739 g |
| Kidney | 14.6 μg/g | 1-2 | 117 g |
Eat moose meat confidently
Cadmium levels in moose meat are very low.
Moose meat, liver, kidney, and blood are excellent sources of protein and iron.
Moose liver also provides important B vitamins that support healthy growth, skin, muscles, and nerves.
Traditional foods support physical, cultural, and community well-being.
Following the serving limits above helps you enjoy moose while keeping cadmium exposure low.
Understand why guidance varies by region
Cadmium levels are naturally higher in moose from the southern Mackenzie Mountains and lower in moose from the Mackenzie and Liard valleys and the Sahtu region. These differences come from samples collected through wildlife monitoring programs over several years, including updated testing in recent assessments.
Moose organ guidance is based on Health Canada’s Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake for cadmium.
Reduce cadmium exposure from other sources
The largest source of cadmium exposure worldwide is smoking.
Stopping smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke can significantly reduce overall cadmium exposure.
If you still need help
Online form: Submit a question or request service from Environmental Health
Phone: 867‑767‑9066 ext. 49262