2024-03-29 13:02:14
Five people who took a Japanese health supplement died and more than 100 had been hospitalized as of Fridaya week after a pharmaceutical company ordered it withdrawn from sale, according to authorities.
The pharmaceutical Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. has received criticism for not reporting sooner a problem that it had known about internally since January. Her first public announcement was on March 22.
At the beginning of the week there were two deaths. Company officials updated the figure to five on Friday and noted that 114 more people were being treated in hospitals after ingesting products — including Benikoji Choleste Help, designed to lower cholesterol — containing an ingredient called benikojia type of red mold.
Some of those affected developed renal problems after ingesting the supplements, but the exact cause remains under investigation in cooperation with government laboratories, the manufacturer noted.
“We present our deepest apologies”said the president of the pharmaceutical company, Akihiro Kobayashito reporters on Friday, taking a long bow to emphasize his apology, along with three other senior company officials.
Besides, He expressed his regret to the deceased and sick, and to their families. He also apologized for the problems caused to the entire health food industry and the medical profession, adding that the company is working to prevent further damages and improve your crisis management protocol.
The pharmaceutical company’s products have been withdrawn from salealong with dozens more containing benikoji, including miso paste, crackers and a vinegar dressing. The Ministry of Health published on its official website a list of all the recalled products, including some that normally use benikoji as a food coloring.
According to the ministry, The death toll could continue to increase. The supplements could be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription and some may have been purchased or exported before the recall order, including by tourists who may not have been aware of the problem.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had been marketing benikoji products for years and sold one million packages in the last three fiscal years. The problem arose with supplements produced in 2023. The company stated that it produced 18.5 tons of benikoji last year.
Some analysts blame the problem on recent initiatives to deregulate the market, which simplify and speed up the approval of health products to stimulate economic growth.
What is beni-koji?
Beni-koji has long been used as a food coloring. Yeast-fermented rice contains lovastatin, which is said to lower cholesterol. It can be used in supplements and other items. But the ingredient can also produce citrinin, a toxic metabolite thought to cause kidney disease.
With information from AP
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