Crocodile and Sea Bear: Now On Dinner Table

As early as in August, food made from crocodile and sea bear will be put on table.

On Jul 14, 2002, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) announced that it has recently proposed a bill. The bill, if passed, will revise food-related regulations so that classification of editable food could include meat of crocodile, Kangaroo and sea bear (excluding its penis), and charcoal.

The spokesperson for the KFDA explained, “The new bill is for stipulating invention of new cuisine by the industry and easing the unnecessary conflicts in international commerce. The widened range was based on the results of toxic-related experiments and recommendations by a screening board.”

The recent outbreak of mad cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease decreased the demand for beef and pork in Europe. Instead, it has increased the popularity of crocodile and Kangaroo, which have been widely consumed in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Crocodile meat tastes unique, something like a mixture of pork, squid and shrimp. Due to this unique taste, crocodile is in high demand for its meat as well as for skin for export purposes in Taiwan.

Kangaroo meat is soft and low on fat, emerging as a new substitute meat. The Australian government has allowed hunting and selling of three of the 40 kinds of Kangaroos. The French actress, who has recently campaigned against our consumption of dog meat, is now planning to do against Kangaroo consumption.

Taiwan, Australia and Canada have strongly requested that these three kinds of meat, namely crocodile, Kangaroo and Moolkae, be categorized as editable food.

shchung@donga.com