A nationwide recall has been issued in Japan over concerns that a cholesterol-lowering dietary supplement may be linked to two deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations, Kyodo News reported. I told you.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, which sells over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplements, has announced a nationwide recall of the product, and authorities are conducting emergency testing of thousands of products that tout health benefits. Kyodo News reported..
The three recalled brands (Red Yeast Choleste Help and two supplements with similar names) contain an ingredient called red yeast rice or red yeast rice. It is made by fermenting rice and is said to lower bad cholesterol levels.
The Osaka-based pharmaceutical company reported one of the deaths, saying the person had been purchasing red yeast rice regularly for nearly three years and died of kidney disease.
The company said it is “currently aware of one example of a potential causal relationship between a death and our product.” stated in a statement. “We are currently investigating the relationship and what happened,” he added, adding, “We deeply apologize.”
According to Kyodo News, the second death was reported to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare after an interview with the company.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced that it supplies red yeast rice to about 50 companies in Japan and two companies in Taiwan. It is also used in various products such as sake, sweets, bread, miso, and seasonings.
According to Kyodo News, online sales of the recalled products have been suspended in China, and they have been removed from distribution in Taiwan.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Keizo Takemi said the ministry will “work with Osaka City to investigate the cause and prevent further health damage.”
The company on Friday voluntarily recalled its products following customer complaints about kidney problems.
The company said Monday that it had not reached a conclusion about the link between the health problems and the supplement. However, an analysis revealed that the product may contain “unintended ingredients.”
The fermentation process can produce a toxin called citrinin, which can damage the kidneys, but the company said its analysis did not detect any citrinin.
with Agence France-Presse
