ALBAWABA - Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a company in Japan made an announcement on Thursday regarding two recent deaths possibly linked to their nutritional supplements. This development has raised concerns surrounding the products, sparking an ongoing scandal.
The total number of deaths potentially associated with these supplements has now reached four. The supplements contain a type of yeast-fermented rice known as "bene koji" or red yeast rice.
Shutterstock
Marketed for lowering natural cholesterol levels, studies have long cautioned about potential risks, including liver and kidney problems due to its chemical composition.
Reports from Agence France-Presse show that the rice in question has been under scrutiny for years. It's revealed that over 100 hospitalizations are being investigated by Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals and the Japanese Ministry of Health, all potentially linked to these dietary supplements.
The company said that the two people whose deaths were reported had consumed one of the three groups of nutritional supplements under suspicion.
Shutterstock
Furthermore, Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals supplied red yeast rice to two firms in Taiwan and 50 others in Japan. As a result, many of these companies have started recalling different products that are related, like sparkling sake, salad dressing, and fermented soybean paste called "miso."
In response to the growing concern, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that relevant ministries and agencies are collaborating to ensure food safety.
They aim to identify the harmful substance and understand its impact on the product. Additionally, the government has urged manufacturers of other supplements to verify their products, while also working to inform other countries about this health issue.
