In Osaka, Japan, health officials carried out a raid on a factory belonging to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. on Saturday. The factory was producing health supplements that have been linked to the deaths of at least five people and the hospitalization of over 100 others. The officials, dressed in dark suits, entered the plant and conducted an investigation.
The supplements were found to contain “benikoji,” a type of red mold. One of the products produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals was Benikoji Choleste Help, which claimed to help lower cholesterol levels. The company sold around a million packages of these supplements over the past three fiscal years, as well as supplying benikoji to other manufacturers and exporting some products.
Reports of health issues related to these supplements began to surface in 2023, although benikoji has been used in various products for years. The company’s president, Akihiro Kobayashi, issued an apology for the delay in responding to the situation. The recall of the products was initiated on March 22, two months after the company was informed of the health problems.
According to Japan’s health ministry, the supplements have been linked to five deaths and the hospitalization of 114 people. The government has ordered a review of the approval system for health products in light of this incident. The recent deregulation initiatives, which aimed to streamline the approval process for such products to boost economic growth, have come under scrutiny following these deaths and illnesses.
The government is working on a report about the approval system, which is expected to be released in May. This incident has highlighted the importance of stringent checks on consumer products to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.
