In recent news, Japanese health officials conducted a raid on a factory that produces health supplements linked to the deaths of five individuals and the hospitalization of over 100 others. The raid took place at Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s factory in Osaka, which is currently under investigation for the health supplements in question. These supplements are believed to have caused kidney failure among consumers due to their containment of red mold known as “benikoji.”
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. has disclosed that they have sold approximately one million packages of these supplements over the past three fiscal years, with some products also being exported internationally. These health supplements were available for purchase at drug stores without needing a prescription. However, problems related to these supplements first came to light in 2023, despite benikoji being a common ingredient in various products for years.
The company’s president, Akihiro Kobayashi, issued an apology for the delayed response to the issue and announced an official recall on March 22 following medical reports confirming the problem. As of now, five deaths have been linked to these tainted supplements, with 114 individuals currently receiving medical treatment. Japan’s health ministry has attributed these deaths and illnesses to the consumption of these particular supplements.
This incident has raised concerns about recent deregulation efforts aimed at streamlining the approval process for health products to boost economic growth. The Japanese government has ordered a review of the approval system for health products in light of this incident and is expected to release a comprehensive report addressing regulatory lapses that allowed the distribution of these harmful supplements in May.
