Japan halts sales of cholesterol supplements after deaths

Two people died, and over 100 were hospitalised in Japan because of taking a dietary supplement intended to lower cholesterol. The authorities have banned the sale of three products containing beni koji. An investigation is currently taking place.

On Wednesday, the Japanese government reported two deaths and 106 hospitalisations linked to cholesterol-lowering dietary supplements - according to the Chinese website, The South China Morning Post. An ongoing investigation targets the over-the-counter products by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, located in Osaka, which include beni koji or red yeast rice.

Last month, the supplement manufacturer disclosed that a consumer who had been buying the product for around three years, from April 2021, passed away due to kidney disease, based on a report from "The Japan Times". The details about the second death will be released on Wednesday. The link between the deaths and the consumption of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's products is still under scrutiny.

The Japanese Ministry of Health has prompted Osaka's local authorities to mandate the company to recall three products following food hygiene law. On Friday, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical willingly recalled the products containing beni koji.

Medical research presents red yeast rice as an alternative to statins, medications employed to reduce high cholesterol levels. However, professionals highlight the risks of organ damage, which varies based on chemical composition, as The South China Morning reported.

The British newspaper The Guardian, quoting AFP, mentions that a toxin called citrinin, which impairs the kidneys can be generated during the fermentation process. Nevertheless, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical assured us that their supplement analysis found no traces of citrinin.

Source: The South China Morning, The Japan Times, The Guardian