More than 100 people have been hospitalized and five have died after taking a Japanese health supplement made by Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., officials reported on Friday. The company, which has faced criticism for not disclosing the issues sooner, has recalled all of its products containing an ingredient called benikoji, a red species of mold.
The number of deaths linked to the supplement rose from two to five by Friday, while 114 people remain hospitalized after experiencing kidney problems due to the consumption of the products. The company is working with government laboratories to determine the exact cause of the health issues related to the supplements.
President Akihiro Kobayashi has apologized to the public, families of the deceased and sickened individuals, and to the health food and medical industries. Benikoji was initially used in miso paste, crackers, and vinegar dressing before it was added as an ingredient in health supplements. However, recent deregulation initiatives in Japan that expedited the approval process for health products may have contributed to this crisis.
The first public announcement of the recall was made on March 22. In addition to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s products, other manufacturers have also recalled their own products containing benikoji. The health ministry issued a list of all recalled products on its official website, warning that more deaths could continue to rise as affected supplements were sold without a prescription and may have been purchased or exported prior to the recall.
