Red Yeast Rice Supplements Linked to Five Deaths in Japan
The death toll has risen to five following the consumption of supplements containing red yeast rice, also known as beni-koji, produced by Japanese pharmaceutical company Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, according to a report by TV Asahi on Friday.
Atsushi Osanai, a professor at Waseda University, expressed deep concern over the incident in an interview with China Media Group, stating that it has induced a significant crisis of confidence among consumers.
“The Osaka plant involved in the case has halted its production, making it difficult to investigate the relevant causal relationships,” Osanai said. “As a pharmaceutical company, problems caused by the production of food and oral products highlight issues in its crisis management. This incident hurts people’s trust in the entire system.”
He emphasized the need for immediate action: “We must take measures to protect the health of as many people as possible. Problems know no borders. The company must consider the impacts overseas, not just in Japan.”
Since the problem emerged on March 22, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has received over 12,000 inquiries from consumers. The number of patients suspected of being hospitalized due to the supplements has climbed to 93, according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
The use of red yeast rice raw materials produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has led to increased recalls of products by other companies. On Thursday, several Japanese media outlets reported that FamilyMart, a prominent convenience store chain in Japan, announced the recall of its fried rice and two other food products that used the affected ingredients.
In response, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries called upon the food and logistics sectors to assist in the recall efforts. The ministry urged companies to act swiftly to prevent further harm to consumers and to restore trust in food safety protocols.
The incident has not only raised concerns about product safety but also about the regulatory systems governing functional foods. Osanai pointed out that functional foods in Japan do not require official approval, allowing enterprises to label their products based on reputation. “Strict safety management by enterprises is the premise of this system,” he noted.
As recalls continue and investigations are underway, consumers are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about the products they consume. The situation highlights the importance of robust safety standards and effective crisis management within the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Reference(s):
'Red yeast rice incident' induces crisis of confidence: expert
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