Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is under scrutiny after its popular red yeast rice dietary supplements, marketed as "beni-koji choleste help," were found to contain an unintended substance called puberulic acid. 🌡️ The discovery, linked to five deaths and over 100 hospitalizations, has sent shockwaves through Japan's health sector.
💼 At a press conference Friday, company president Akihiro Kobayashi confirmed the Osaka-made product—intended to lower cholesterol—was exported to overseas markets, though volumes were small. Victims, primarily aged 40–90, reported kidney issues, but health officials say the antimalarial compound's role in these cases remains unclear.
⚠️ The contamination originated in batches produced between April and December 2023. While recalls are underway, Kobayashi Pharma has pledged equal compensation for all affected consumers, domestic and international, once causality is proven. 🔍 Investigations into how blue mold-derived puberulic acid entered the supply chain continue.
🚨 With nearly 700 people seeking medical advice, experts urge caution: "If you've used these supplements, consult a healthcare provider immediately."
