Five people have died and over 100 people have been hospitalized after consuming Kobaiashi Pharmaceutical Co. products. The supplements were produced by the company from Osaka, and they were withdrawn last week due to serious health risks. Benikoji Choleste Help, a product that contains a red mold known as benikoji, was among the affected items.
The company faced criticism for not disclosing internal problems earlier, even though they were aware of the issues back in January. President Akihiro Kobayashi issued a public apology on behalf of the company, expressing deep remorse for the deaths and illnesses caused by their products.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the kidney problems experienced by many people who consumed the supplements. Japan’s health ministry has issued warnings about the recalled products, urging people to avoid them if they have already purchased them before the recall. Some analysts attribute the problems to recent deregulation initiatives aimed at spurring economic growth in Japan.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has recalled all affected products, including food items containing benikoji dye. The company has sold benikoji products for years, but problems arose with supplements produced in 2023. The incident highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in pharmaceutical companies, as well as the need for proper regulation to protect consumers from harm.