Cholesterol-lowering scandal in Japan: manufacturer investigates 76 further deaths
At the scandal, it's about cholesterol-lowering products based on Red Rice Yeast. In March, the company recalled five products after people who had taken them suffered from kidney problems and went to the hospital. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced that in one of their works, a potentially toxic acid was discovered that was produced by the fungus. Previously, the company had disclosed that they were investigating five deaths in Japan related to the over-the-counter products. Later, the number of cases was corrected to four.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had supplied approximately 50 other companies in Japan and two companies in Taiwan with Red Rice Yeast, some of which initiated recall actions. The recalled products all contain a rice fermented with red yeast. The red-fermented rice - not to be confused with red rice varieties - is used in Asia for food coloring, such as salad dressings, bread, and soy paste, but also as a medicine.
Food supplements based on Red Rice Yeast are also available in Germany. They are advertised as cholesterol-lowering. The Consumer Center warns of side effects.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is a well-known company in Japan that offers a wide range of health products. The scandal has been dominating the news in Japan for weeks. On Friday, Kobayashi announced that the exact cause and extent of the health damages still need to be determined. This includes the question of whether other organs were also affected.
Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday that the Health Ministry had previously ordered the company to submit a daily report on the ongoing investigations. However, Kobayashi had "not reported the exact number of cases" to the ministry, which is "extremely regrettable".
- The five death cases in Japan that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had initially disclosed were related to their cholesterol-lowering products based on Red Rice Yeast.
- The manufacturer of the cholesterol reducer, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, announced the discovery of a potentially toxic acid in one of their works, which was possibly responsible for the deaths and kidney problems reported in Japan.
- Japanese authorities were disappointed with Kobayashi Pharmaceutical for failing to report the exact number of cases related to their cholesterol-lowering scandal, as ordered by the Health Ministry.
- The manufacturer of the cholesterol-lowering scandal in Japan, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, supplied Red Rice Yeast to over 50 other companies in Japan and two companies in Taiwan, leading to a widespread recall of related products.
