The government has ordered a review of the approval system for health products in response to supplement-related diseases.
Japanese health authorities raided a Kobayashi Pharmaceutical factory after the company reported a fifth death possibly related to a dietary supplement that the company advertised as lowering cholesterol.
On Saturday, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and local government officials raided a facility in Osaka that was manufacturing a supplement containing an ingredient called red yeast rice.
Kobayashi announced on Friday that five people had died after ingesting the product and 114 people were being treated in hospitals. Japan’s Ministry of Health said the supplements were to blame for the deaths and illnesses and warned that the number of people affected could rise further.
The company said little is known about the exact causes of the disease, including kidney failure. Investigation regarding this product is ongoing in collaboration with government health authorities.
Red yeast rice has been used in various products for many years, but reports of health hazards surfaced in 2023.
“Beni-koji” contains a red mold called “Beni-koji” and is also used as a red coloring for food.
The products were recalled on March 22, two months after the company received an official medical report on the issue. The company’s president, Akihiro Kobayashi, apologized for not acting sooner.
Supplements could be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. Kobayashi said about 1 million packages have been sold in the past three fiscal years. The company also sold red yeast rice to other manufacturers, and some products were exported to countries such as China and Taiwan.
The government has ordered a review of the approval system for health products in response to supplement-related illnesses. The report is expected to be submitted in May.
The Chinese Consumers Association on Friday called on consumers to stop using Kobayashi’s products due to concerns about the risks, state media said.
