Red rice yeast: Japan orders recall of ‘beni koji’ products over suspected link to four deaths

CBS News

Supplement pill that contained mold recalled after 2 deaths, over 100 hospitalizations in Japan

The chairman and president of Japanese drug manufacturer Kobayashi Pharmaceutical have stepped down amid an investigation into whether their dietary supplements are linked to hundreds of deaths.

The Japan Times

Company Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi stepped down Tuesday but will stay at the firm as an advisor. His son and president of the company, Akihiro Kobayashi, will also resign but maintain a role to help compensate potential victims.

The cholesterol-lowering diet pills are made from red yeast rice called beni koji, which has been proven to lower cholesterol but is also connected to organ damage. Reports of kidney failure in those who took the supplement emerged at the beginning of the year.

Guardian

Japan's Health Ministry has reported that 492 people were hospitalized after taking Kobayashi's products, 291 of whom developed kidney issues. Taiwan has since reportedly recalled 154 products made with beni koji.

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For its part, the company has discovered 279 deaths and over 2.2K hospital visits — of which almost 500 required hospitalization — potentially linked to its beni koji products.

Japan: Heads of Drug Maker Resign Over Potentially Deadly Diet Pills

Japan: Heads of Drug Maker Resign Over Potentially Deadly Diet Pills

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Japan: Heads of Drug Maker Resign Over Potentially Deadly Diet Pills

Japan: Heads of Drug Maker Resign Over Potentially Deadly Diet Pills

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