Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced on Thursday two new deaths likely linked to the use of dietary supplements produced by the company, which has become the focus of an escalating scandal over recent days. This brings the total number of fatalities associated with these dietary supplements, which contain a type of fermented rice called "beni koji" or red yeast rice, to four. This rice has been marketed as a natural way to lower cholesterol levels; however, studies have warned for years about its potential risks, as its chemical composition may lead to liver and kidney problems.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and Japan's Ministry of Health are investigating over 100 cases of hospitalization that could be related to these dietary supplements. In its statement, the company noted that the two individuals reported on Thursday were using one of the three suspect dietary supplement groups. The company indicated it had provided red yeast rice to two companies in Taiwan and 50 others in Japan, many of which have announced the recall of various derivative products such as sparkling sake, salad dressing, and fermented soybean paste "miso."
Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Thursday that "related ministries and agencies are working together to ensure food safety and are trying to identify the harmful substance and understand how it ended up in the product." Hayashi added during a press conference that the government has also requested other manufacturers of dietary supplements to verify their products and is working to inform foreign countries of this health issue.
