Alarm in Japan: a contaminated food supplement has caused 5 deaths and over 100 hospitalized

Five people who took a dietary supplement in Japan have died and more than 100 have been hospitalized so far, a week after the pharmaceutical company that makes it ordered it withdrawn from the market.

Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., maker of the recalled products, has been criticized for not having previously reported a problem that had been known about internally since January. His first public announcement occurred on March 22.

At the beginning of the week, two deaths had already occurred due to the consumption of the supplements. The company updated the figure to five on Friday, adding it 114 people are hospitalized after eating products that contain an ingredient called Benikojia type of mold derived from red rice fermented with a fungus.

Benikoji offers a unique blend of flavor and nutrition that has captivated chefs and healthy living professionals alike. It has been used for centuries in Japan, mainly in the production of fermented foods and drinks.

Some of those affected developed kidney problems after taking the supplements, but The exact cause of their illness remains a mystery. and is being investigated by the company and health authorities.

“We offer our deepest apologies,” the pharmaceutical company’s president, Akihiro Kobayashi, told reporters on Friday, making a long bow to underline your apologyalong with three other senior company officials.

Furthermore, he expressed his regret to the deceased, the sick and their families. He also apologized for the problems caused to the entire health food industry and the medical profession, adding that the company is working to prevent further damage and improve its crisis management protocol.

Pharmaceutical products were removed from sale, along with dozens more that contained benikoji, including miso paste, crackers and vinegar sauce. The Ministry of Health has published on its official website the list of all the recalled products, including some that normally use benikoji as a colourant.

According to the ministry, the number of victims could increase.

Supplements can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription and some they could have been purchased or exported prior to the recall ordereven from tourists who may not be aware of the problem.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has been marketing Benikoji products for years and for the last three fiscal years sold one million packs. The problem arose with supplements produced in 2023, when according to the company’s own information it produced 18.5 tons of benikoji.

Some analysts attribute the problem to recent moves to deregulate the market, which streamline and speed up the approval of healthcare products to spur economic growth.