Japanese government health officials conducted a raid on a factory in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday, following reports of health supplements linked to the deaths of at least five individuals and the hospitalization of over 100 others. The factory in question belongs to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., a company that produced supplements containing 'benikoji,' a type of red mold.
The supplements, particularly the pink pills named Benikoji Choleste Help, were marketed as aiding in lowering cholesterol levels. The exact cause of the illnesses, which include cases of kidney failure, is currently under investigation by both the company and government health authorities.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical revealed that approximately one million packages of the supplements were sold over the past three fiscal years. The company also supplied benikoji to other manufacturers, some of which exported products containing the mold. These supplements were available for purchase at drug stores without the need for a doctor's prescription.
Reports of health issues related to the supplements emerged in 2023, despite benikoji being a common ingredient in various products for years. The company's president issued an apology for the delayed response, as the recall of the products only occurred on March 22, two months after receiving official medical reports on the matter.
As of Friday, five fatalities and 114 hospitalizations have been attributed to the consumption of these supplements. Japan's health ministry has confirmed the link between the products and the reported illnesses, cautioning that the number of affected individuals could rise.
Some experts have raised concerns about recent deregulation efforts aimed at expediting the approval process for health products to stimulate economic growth. While Japan typically maintains strict oversight over consumer goods, incidents of mass-produced items causing deaths are rare in the country.
In response to the supplement-related health crisis, the government has initiated a review of the approval system for such products. A comprehensive report on the matter is expected to be released in May.
