Japanese Health Officials Investigate Health Supplement Factory
Japanese government health officials conducted a visit to a factory producing health supplements linked to multiple deaths and hospitalizations.
Factory Inspection
About a dozen officials from Japan’s Health Ministry visited the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. factory in Osaka to investigate the situation.
The visit was widely covered by Japanese television networks, including Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK).
Cause of Sickness
The exact cause of the sicknesses, including kidney failure, related to the supplements is currently under investigation in collaboration with government health authorities.
The supplements contained “benikoji,” a type of red mold, with the company claiming benefits in lowering cholesterol levels.
Product Distribution
Over a million packages of the supplements were sold in the past three fiscal years, available for purchase without a prescription at drug stores.
Reports of health issues emerged in 2023, despite the long-standing use of benikoji in various products.
Recall and Apology
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s chief, Akihiro Kobayashi, issued an apology for the delayed response to the health problems, with an official recall initiated after reports of deaths and illnesses.
Government Response
The Japanese Health Ministry attributed the deaths and illnesses to the supplements and expressed concerns over potential further cases.
The government is reviewing the approval system for health products following this incident, with a report expected in May.