The deaths of five people in Japan who took nutritional supplements to lower cholesterol have prompted Mako Health to issue a warning to the public. Last night, the company advised against using supplements produced by the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company in Japan, which contain red rice yeast extract. This ingredient is also used in other products like miso paste, crackers, and salad dressings.
In response to this incident, the Ministry of Health in Japan ordered a wholesale recall of the company’s nutritional supplements just last week. An ongoing investigation is being conducted, but it is estimated that there is a connection between the consumption of these nutritional supplements containing red rice yeast extract and the reported deaths and hospitalizations. Thousands of complaints from consumers regarding health effects such as changes in urine color, swollen limbs, fatigue, and kidney problems have been reported to the company’s headquarters in Osaka.
The Israeli Ministry of Health states that red rice yeast extract is not approved for use in dietary supplements. No reports have been received in Israel of adverse effects from consuming these nutritional supplements purchased from foreign websites. Commercial import of such supplements requires prior approval from the National Food Service. Importers must provide evidence of a product’s safety and compliance with food legislation before approval is granted.
