A health supplement product suspected of causing two deaths and over 100 illnesses has been ordered to be removed from stores in Japan, marking the first large-scale recall of a domestically manufactured supplement.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s product, which is advertised as lowering cholesterol, contained an ingredient called “causcus,” a type of red mold.
In addition to Osaka-based Kobayashi’s products, more than 40 other companies’ products including miso, crackers and vinegar dressings containing red yeast rice have been recalled since last week, government health ministry officials announced Wednesday.
At least 106 people have been hospitalized, and many more are believed to have fallen ill, although it is unclear whether all the illnesses are directly linked to Ben-ikoji (pronounced Benny-koji).
Keiji Uesho / AP
The ministry posted a list of all products on its official website, including those that use red yeast rice as a food coloring agent.
The company is investigating the cause of the problem. The recalled products could be purchased without a doctor’s prescription and could be purchased at drug stores.
Kobayashi apologized in an online statement and asked people to “stop consuming our products and refrain from using them in the future.”
Repeated calls to Kobayashi went unanswered. Last week, when the issue first surfaced, the president and other executives held a press conference and, as is customary in Japan, bowed their heads and apologized.
Chiaki Ueda / AP
Ministry officials warned there could be more casualties in the future. He called on everyone to stop consuming anything containing red yeast rice. People with health problems such as weak kidneys may be especially vulnerable, he said.
It is unclear whether some of the raw materials were imported, but the products were all made in Japan. According to Japanese media reports, there have been recalls of imported health supplements in the past, but this is the first large-scale recall of domestically produced supplements.
