Japan is facing a record number of deadly bear attacks, forcing authorities to ramp up wildlife control measures across the country. As bears are culled to protect communities, restaurants are reporting a sharp increase in demand for bear meat — a traditional but rare dish. Officials now see the meat as both a safety solution and an economic opportunity for rural regions, even as concerns remain over sustainability, processing shortages, and the growing human-wildlife conflict.


Bear attacks drive boom in Bear meat demand in Japan

In the United States, six people of the same family caught an infection by a rare roundworm parasite known as trichinellosis after consuming an undercooked meal that included black bear meat, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said in a release on Thursday.

The meat was initially served rare during a family reunion in South Dakota after being stored frozen for more than a month. The incident took place in the year 2022. However, several investigations later revealed what had exactly happened.&nbsp;

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When the incident happened, the Minnesota Department of Health stated that one of the members showed symptoms like high fever, swelling around the eyes, severe muscle soreness and other severe signs. The person received medical attention and was hospitalised multiple times for short periods.&nbsp;

In the latest findings, the CDC noted that the meat from the bear was stored in a freezer for a month and a half. It added that proper procedure was followed to guarantee that it was healthy and worm-free.&nbsp;

The meat was then frozen and offered as rare due to its black hue. However, it was re-cooked and served after family members detected the undercooked taste. The nine-member family then consumed it.&nbsp;

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"Persons who consume meat from wild game animals should be aware that adequate cooking is the only reliable way to kill Trichinella parasites, and that infected meat can cross-contaminate other foods," the CDC said in the release.&nbsp;

While mentioning the infection, the CDC said that after exposure to gastric acid and pepsin, the larvae are released from the cysts and invade the small bowel mucosa where they develop into adult worms. It added, "Females are 2.2 mm in length; males 1.2 mm. The life span in the small bowel is about four weeks. After one week, the females release larvae that migrate to striated muscles where they encyst."&nbsp;

The US health body advised: "Cooking meat to an internal temperature of ≥165°F (≥74°C) is necessary to kill Trichinella spp. parasites. Trichinella-infected meat can cross-contaminate other foods, and raw meat should be kept and prepared separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In the United States, six people of the same family caught an infection by a rare roundworm parasite known as trichinellosis after consuming an undercooked meal that included black bear meat, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said in a release on Thursday.

In the United States, six people of the same family caught an infection by a rare roundworm parasite known as trichinellosis after consuming an undercooked meal that included black bear meat, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said in a release on Thursday. The meat was initially served rare during a family reunion in South Dakota after being stored frozen for more than a month. The incident took place in the year 2022. However, several investigations later revealed what had exactly happened. Also read: Consumption of coffee might lower risks of Parkinson's, study finds When the incident happened, the Minnesota Department of Health stated that one of the members showed symptoms like high fever, swelling around the eyes, severe muscle soreness and other severe signs. The person received medical attention and was hospitalised multiple times for short periods. In the latest findings, the CDC noted that the meat from the bear was stored in a freezer for a month and a half. It added that proper procedure was followed to guarantee that it was healthy and worm-free. The meat was then frozen and offered as rare due to its black hue. However, it was re-cooked and served after family members detected the undercooked taste. The nine-member family then consumed it. Also read: World's life expectancy is lowest in over a decade due to Covid: WHO "Persons who consume meat from wild game animals should be aware that adequate cooking is the only reliable way to kill Trichinella parasites, and that infected meat can cross-contaminate other foods," the CDC said in the release. While mentioning the infection, the CDC said that after exposure to gastric acid and pepsin, the larvae are released from the cysts and invade the small bowel mucosa where they develop into adult worms. It added, "Females are 2.2 mm in length; males 1.2 mm. The life span in the small bowel is about four weeks. After one week, the females release larvae that migrate to striated muscles where they encyst." The US health body advised: "Cooking meat to an internal temperature of ≥165°F (≥74°C) is necessary to kill Trichinella spp. parasites. Trichinella-infected meat can cross-contaminate other foods, and raw meat should be kept and prepared separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination." (With inputs from agencies)

Undercooked black bear meat infected six people in US with brain worm: CDC report

In the 1880s, vending machines were used to dispense postcards. Eventually, it shifted to packaged food items. But Japan has recently installed a vending machine that sells fresh bear meat. It has become an unlikely hit, as it sells the meat for $16.50 per 250 g to passengers arriving at a nearby railway station in Semboku town. It has also received requests for mail order deliveries from places as far as 400 km away in Tokyo.&nbsp;

As per the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, the vendors stock the machine with a locally killed wild bear, a mixture of lean and fatty meat, The Guardian reported. A local hunting club legally kills a permitted amount of mountain bears, which later get stocked in the machine. The machine came into existence after a local restaurant Soba Goro grabbed the chance to attract tourists with ursine cuisine.&nbsp;

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Northern Japan has a high consumption of beat meat. Canned bear meat and instant curry are frequently purchased grocery items in such areas. Bear meat is said to have a wild and distinct flavour. People in Japan often serve meat with stew. A Soba Goro spokesperson stated, "Bear meat tastes clean, and it doesn’t get tough."

Japan's vending machines are famous for selling a myriad of edible products, from coffee and hamburgers to insects. Japan Vending Machine Association reported that the number of machines peaked at 5.6 million in 2000. However, it has declined to over 4 million by 2020. Interestingly, Japan has the largest number of vending machines per capita in the world.&nbsp;

The interaction between bears and humans does not confine to the dinner table. In recent years, the number of bear encounters has increased to over 20,000 in 2020. According to the environment ministry, two people were killed and 158 injured in bear attacks in 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the 1880s, vending machines were used to dispense postcards. Eventually, it shifted to packaged food items. But Japan has recently installed a vending machine that sells fresh bear meat.

In the 1880s, vending machines were used to dispense postcards. Eventually, it shifted to packaged food items. But Japan has recently installed a vending machine that sells fresh bear meat. It has become an unlikely hit, as it sells the meat for $16.50 per 250 g to passengers arriving at a nearby railway station in Semboku town. It has also received requests for mail order deliveries from places as far as 400 km away in Tokyo. As per the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, the vendors stock the machine with a locally killed wild bear, a mixture of lean and fatty meat, The Guardian reported. A local hunting club legally kills a permitted amount of mountain bears, which later get stocked in the machine. The machine came into existence after a local restaurant Soba Goro grabbed the chance to attract tourists with ursine cuisine. ALSO READ | Plants make cries for help when stressed or deprived of water, says study Northern Japan has a high consumption of beat meat. Canned bear meat and instant curry are frequently purchased grocery items in such areas. Bear meat is said to have a wild and distinct flavour. People in Japan often serve meat with stew. A Soba Goro spokesperson stated, "Bear meat tastes clean, and it doesn’t get tough." Japan's vending machines are famous for selling a myriad of edible products, from coffee and hamburgers to insects. Japan Vending Machine Association reported that the number of machines peaked at 5.6 million in 2000. However, it has declined to over 4 million by 2020. Interestingly, Japan has the largest number of vending machines per capita in the world. The interaction between bears and humans does not confine to the dinner table. In recent years, the number of bear encounters has increased to over 20,000 in 2020. According to the environment ministry, two people were killed and 158 injured in bear attacks in 2020. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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