CAMPCO wants govt to check illegal arecanut import
Mangaluru, Jan 24: The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (CAMPCO) has expressed concern over the 'illegal import' of arecanut through various channels to the state, which is posing a threat to the domestic market, resulting in financial loss to the government.
In a statement here, CAMPCO president Krishore Kumar Kodgi said arecanut is surreptitiously finding its way into the country, notably through the integrated cargo terminal of Mangaluru International Airport.
The airport, in a media release, had stated that it facilitated the inbound handling of arecanut weighing 1,519 kg in 60 bags as belly air cargo from Agartala in Tripura to Mangaluru through its integrated cargo terminal (ICT) in January.
Kodgi said the unlawful practice adversely affects the local farmers and cooperative organisations in stabilising arecanut prices in the domestic market. It also denies the livelihood of people dependent on arecanut cultivation, he said.
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He wanted the government to take urgent steps to check the illegal import of arecanut. The authorities should urgently examine the origin, pricing and accompanying documentation of the imported arecanut, and help check tax evasion to safeguard the interest of arecanut growers, Kodgi said.
The CAMPCO has written letters to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddramaiah in this regard, he added.
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Pizza Hut China debuts unusual bullfrog pizza, sparking mixed reactions online
Beijing : Pizza Hut China has taken a bold step into culinary experimentation by introducing a limited-edition pizza topped with deep-fried bullfrog, a move that has garnered both curiosity and criticism online. The unconventional dish was first highlighted by global food trend expert David Henke, who shared a photo of the new menu item on X (formerly Twitter), noting the diverse protein preferences in different cultures.
The pizza, known as "Goblin Pizza," features a thick crust, red sauce, a layer of parsley, and a whole deep-fried bullfrog as the centerpiece. The frog's "eyes" are created with halved hard-boiled eggs, each topped with a black olive, making for a visually striking presentation. According to Korean news outlet Maeil Business Newspaper, the unusual offering is a collaboration with Dungeons and Dragons, inspired by a character from the game.
Details about the availability of this new creation are limited, with no specific information provided on Pizza Hut’s official website. However, the quirky menu item has already become a talking point on social media, drawing a mix of reactions ranging from shock to curiosity.
On Reddit, a photo of the pizza was shared, fueling further debate. Some users labeled the dish as “pure blasphemy,” while one user went so far as to say, “This pizza is a felony.” Another asked, “Why ruin a pizza like that?”
Not all feedback was negative; one commenter admitted that while the frog might be off-putting, they'd be more accepting if the pizza underneath was satisfactory. Another joked, "You can ribbet this right into the garbage."
Amidst the critique, there were voices of intrigue. One foodie defended the dish, saying, “Fried frog legs are so good! Maybe next time, shred the frog leg meat and add it to the pizza—that would be pretty good.”
