Why is Kobe beef banned in the US?

Why is Kobe beef banned in the US?

It sets standards for animals to be labeled as Kobe beef. In 2009, the USDA placed a ban on the import of all Japanese beef to prevent the Japan foot-and-mouth outbreak from reaching US shores. The ban was relaxed in August 2012. Shortly thereafter, Kobe beef was imported into the US for the first time.

What makes Kobe beef so special?

The first is that the cows are given beer to induce appetite. The second is that they are massaged daily, sometimes with sake (Japanese rice wine), as a proxy for exercise in the tight living quarters and to further accentuate the marbling that Kobe beef is so well known for.

Why Wagyu beef is so expensive?

Narrator: This is wagyu beef, one of the most expensive meats in the world. … The fat is distributed more evenly throughout their muscle, which is why wagyu beef looks pink and tastes so tender. And the Japanese government tightly regulates wagyu production to protect the value and quality of the meat.

Can you buy real Kobe beef in the US?

Only eight other restaurants in the entire US serve real Kobe beef, according to an investigation by Inside Edition. Many restaurants have started using the term "Kobe" to mean any pricey beef. However, it is in fact a highly acclaimed type of wagyu beef raised in a specific region of Japan.