2 dead, 100 hospitalized after consumption of red yeast rice supplements in Japan

Mar 27 (EFE).- At least two people have died in Japan and another 100 have been hospitalized after consuming red yeast rice dietary supplements by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical that have already been withdrawn from the market, the health ministry announced Wednesday.

A day after the Japanese drugmaker disclosed that one person had died, the ministry confirmed a second death after a meeting with the company. Both individuals reportedly consumed the supplement meant to lower cholestrol regularly in recent years and authorities suspect that the deaths could be related to the product. The company has received more than 3,000 emails since announcing the recall on Friday, but was unable to confirm the first death until this week. Another 106 people have been hospitalized in relation to the consumption of the products although their condition is unknown and there is no public data on other consumers who suffered health problems possibly caused by the supplements without being admitted to hospitals.

Health Minister Keizo Takemi criticized the company’s actions on Tuesday saying that it did not present relevant information to the authorities while carrying out its investigation. He said that the government would try to find the cause of the health problems and take steps to prevent further damage, public broadcaster NHK reported. The cases are believed to have been caused by products containing red yeast rice (known as ‘beni-koji’ in Japanese), which turns a reddish color when fermented.

Last week, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical voluntarily recalled five products from the market, including 300,000 containers of the tablets sold as a supplement to reduce cholesterol, of which the firm had sold 1.06 million containers until last month since its launch in 2021. The company launched an investigation after being notified by a doctor of health problems apparently linked to the consumption of its products, including symptoms such as fatigue and kidney dysfunction.

The company also distributed red yeast rice to 52 other national and foreign companies, which it has also asked to recall their products. The Japanese soy sauce producer Fujiyoshi Soy Sauce has announced the withdrawal of two of its products, Genki Miso and Miso Kabosu Dressing, whose ingredients include red yeast rice from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, although it has not confirmed any cases linked to their consumption. EFE emg/pd