Osaka, Japan – Japanese health officials conducted a raid on a factory in Osaka on Saturday, linked to health supplements that have resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and the hospitalization of over 100 others. The company under scrutiny, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., is facing investigations into the products that led to severe health issues, including kidney failure.
The supplements in question contained “benikoji,” a type of red mold, and were marketed by Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals as aiding in lowering cholesterol levels. Despite the lack of detailed information on the exact cause of the illnesses, the company confirmed the sale of approximately one million packages over the past three fiscal years, with some products being exported.
Reports of health problems associated with the supplements emerged in 2023, despite the long-standing use of benikoji in various products. President Akihiro Kobayashi issued an apology for the delayed response, as the recall was only initiated on March 22, two months after the company had received official medical reports regarding the adverse effects of the products.
As of Friday, the company disclosed that five fatalities and 114 hospitalizations were linked to the consumption of the supplements. Japan’s health ministry attributed the deaths and illnesses directly to the supplements and cautioned that the number of affected individuals could rise. The incident raised concerns about the recent deregulation initiatives aimed at streamlining the approval process for health products to stimulate economic growth, as mass-produced item-related fatalities are uncommon in Japan due to rigorous government scrutiny over consumer products.
In response to the supplement-related illnesses, the government has mandated a review of the approval system, with a report expected in May. The tragic consequences of the health supplements have underscored the importance of stricter regulations and oversight to ensure the safety of consumer products in Japan.
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