OSAKA -- Despite the government's repeated assurances, it is not clear how soon domestic beef consumption will recover to levels before the nation was hit by the mad cow scare in September. But consumer advocates have warned that the threat of the disease does not come from beef alone.
One of the ingredients commonly used in instant noodles, instant soup, pralines and other prepackaged foods is beef extract, which includes oil from cows' heads.
Since the nation's first mad cow case surfaced at a farm in Chiba Prefecture last month, instant noodle makers have had tests done on products using beef extract under orders from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.