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Milan's Poor Get Contraband Caviar for Xmas

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2008 12:07 PM CST
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(Newser) – The poor and homeless in Milan will get a pricey treat this holiday season, the BBC reports. Officials will distribute 88 pounds of beluga caviar seized from smugglers to the city’s shelters and soup kitchens. The sturgeon roe, confiscated in November en route from Poland, is valued at around $550,000. Nations are cracking down on illegal caviar trading after 600 tons of it were traded in the EU during a 6-year span.

Beluga caviar served up on a spoon.
Beluga caviar served up on a spoon.   (Shutterstock)
Beluga caviar, the world's most expensive.
Beluga caviar, the world's most expensive.   (Shutterstock)
Michelin three-star chef Jean-Michel Lorain reaches for caviar in a can.
Michelin three-star chef Jean-Michel Lorain reaches for caviar in a can.   (AP Photo)
Smoked salmon Oscars with caviar and creme fraiche.
Smoked salmon Oscars with caviar and creme fraiche.   (AP Photo)
Italian police officials inspect what they suspect to be illegal caviar in a mobile laboratory after it was seized at a shop in downtown Rome.
Italian police officials inspect what they suspect to be illegal caviar in a mobile laboratory after it was seized at a shop in downtown Rome.   (AP Photo)
Italian police officials inspect what they suspect to be illegal caviar in a shop in downtown Rome.
Italian police officials inspect what they suspect to be illegal caviar in a shop in downtown Rome.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
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Even the rich can't afford real caviar now
Forbes

US 'caviar' may be toxic
MSNBC

On the European black market for caviar
Independent (UK)

 
Italy • homeless • shelter • poor • Milan • sturgeon • contraband • smuggler • soup kitchen • beluga caviar • Caspian Sea

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