1.   The company had not informed people that its french fries were cooked in oil that contained beef extract.

2.   Despite fierce criticism from the health industry, medicines containing beef extracts were banned as soon as the scare started.

3.   Health officials have since received a surge of inquiries from Japanese consumers about the safety of beef, dairy products and food containing beef extracts.

4.   However, it does import some food products that contain British beef extracts.

5.   In imposing the ban on Brazilian corned beef and beef extract, Canada claimed Brazil had failed to provide sufficient paperwork on several thousand animals imported from Europe.

6.   Some retailers moved within an hour of the health warning to clear shelves of everything from chilled meat products to dietary supplements and tablets containing beef extracts.

7.   The ban covers chilled or frozen beef and beef-derived products like sausages, beef extracts and seasoned beef, the ministry said in a statement.