Endangered species on sale

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Fairway Market's latest sales circular for Paramus (Jan. 29-Feb. 4) advertises fresh swordfish steaks for $8.99 a pound, a species that is both endangered and high in harmful mercury. There is no indication where these fish steaks are from, though Fairway is required to post an in-store sign with the country of origin.

Here is the link to the Environmental Protection Agency site on fish and shellfish: Mercury in fish

The Nature Conservancy site can be reached here: Fish close to extinction

Good deal may not be good for you

The latest sales circular from Fairway Market in Paramus, in today's newspaper, prominently displays "fresh-cut, local" swordfish steaks for $6.99 a pound, a savings of $6 a pound.

Unfortunately, swordfish is one of five species with the most mercury, according to the June 2009 Consumer Reports On Health newsletter, which recommends that pregnant women and children should not consume it. The rest of us "can probably consume very occasionally."

Consumer Reports bases its conclusions on data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. The other four species with the highest level of mercury are king mackerel, shark, tilefish and fresh tuna.