A Chinese company has designed a vending machine that dispenses live crabs...
You know how it is. It's been a long day at work, you're tired and hungry but just haven't the time to nip down the fishmongers. Either that or you're feeling peckish after a night on the town and - wouldn't you just know it - the fishmonger is shut and you really wanted that fresh crab kebab!
We've all been there(!?) Now that tasty but elusive crab meal is only a short walk home and a pan of boiling water away after a Chinese vending machine company answered our prayers by designing a vending machine to dispense live Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis 24-hours a day on demand!
Each crab is secured in a specially designed plastic box, and chilled to 5C, so they remain dormant inside the machine.
So from between $1.50 and $7.50, (depending on size), a fresh, refrigerated crustacean could be yours for the cooking. Live crab guaranteed or three free replacements come your way, (proof of purchase necessary).
Eriocheir sinensis is considered an invasive pest here in the UK since its arrival in the ballast tanks of container ships. Quick growing and tolerant of a range of water conditions, they can cause considerable damage to river banks and embankments through their burrowing.
The establishment of a commercial fishery in the River Thames is being considered as a control measure by DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the London Port Health Authority but it seems certain that selling the resultant catch live from vending machines would not be allowed.