In Osaka, Japan, a raid was conducted on a factory that produces health supplements linked to the deaths of five people and the hospitalization of over 100 others. The supplements in question contained a red mold called “benikoji,” which was marketed as helping to lower cholesterol levels. Over the past three years, the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. plant has sold about a million packages of these supplements both domestically and internationally, with no doctor’s prescription required for purchase.
Reports of health issues related to the supplements surfaced in 2023, but the company did not take action until two months after receiving official medical reports about the problem. The company’s president has since apologized for the delay in issuing a recall. The Japanese health ministry has confirmed that the supplements are responsible for the deaths and illnesses, and the number of affected individuals may continue to rise.
The government is reviewing its approval system for health products in response to this incident, with a report expected in May. This case has raised concerns about recent deregulation initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth in Japan. While government checks on consumer products are usually stringent, deaths from mass-produced items are rare in the country. The investigation into the exact cause of the sicknesses is ongoing, and authorities are working to prevent similar incidents in the future.
