Hanoi (dpa) – Vietnamese authorities would seize and destroy any Kobe beef from Japan because of a lack of veterinary permits and import licenses, news reports said Wednesday. Fake documents had been presented by Japanese animal health authorities, leading to the ban on imports of the beef, Hoang Van Nam, director Vietnam's Animal Health Department, was quoted as saying. Documents presented recently allegedly showed approval by Vietnam of Kobe beef imports, but “in reality, these are fake documents because the Animal Health Department has not licensed any agencies or businesses to import Kobe beef from Japan to Vietnam,” Nam said. His department sent the documents to police to clarify their origins, he said. Hanoi authorities on Monday banned restaurants from advertising and quoting prices of Kobe beef, said Nguyen Dac Loc, deputy head of the Hanoi Market Watch Agency, which inspects and monitors goods sold there. Kobe beef, one of the world's most expensive meats, appeared more than a year ago on the menus of some restaurants in Vietnam. The meat is renowned for its flavor, tenderness and extensive marbling. At some restaurants in Hanoi, a bowl of pho soup made with Kobe beef costs 40 dollars while the price of regular pho is about 1.50 to 2 dollars. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/MtcTO Tags: Ban, Japan, Kobe Beef, Vietnam Section: East Asia, Food
