Dietary supplement leaves 4 dead, 100 sick in Japan

Health Ministry suspects presence of ‘toxic substance’ in the drug which has caused kidney-related problems in consumers

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least four people were killed and 100 others hospitalized after consuming a dietary supplement in Japan, local media reported on Thursday.

The manufacturer Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. confirmed the deaths linked to its red yeast rice dietary supplements, Tokyo-based Kyodo News said.

It has recalled five of its products, including about 300,000 packages of its "Beni-Koji Cholesterol Help" supplements.

Two of the deceased had consumed the supplement in 2021 and early 2022.

The Health Ministry, which suspects the presence of a “toxic substance” in the product, also held a hearing with the Osaka-based pharmaceutical officials regarding the alarming health issues due to the supplements that caused kidney-related problems after their consumption.

The company was unable to come up with a specific cause of the problems.

Local authorities in the Osaka province on the main Honshu Islands of Japan Wednesday ordered Kobayashi Pharmaceutical to recall three other types of "Beni-Koji" supplements.

Kaynak:

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