TOKYO, May 7 (UPI) -- Several Japanese restaurant chains say they have stopped serving a popular raw beef dish following four confirmed fatal cases of food poisoning.
The four victims are believed to have become ill after eating yukke at restaurants belonging to the Ebisu chain, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Saturday. Other chains say they have rigorous rules about the testing and handling of beef to be served raw but decided to stop serving yukke because of customer concern.
Yukke, or yukhoe, consists of minced or shredded raw beef mixed with spices, pine nuts and other additions.
Jojoen Corp., a Tokyo company that operates a chain of barbecue restaurants, says it still serves yukke. Officials said the beef is tested before purchase and trims the outside edges of pieces of beef before the dish is prepared.
