Tragedy has struck as four individuals have lost their lives after consuming a cholesterol-lowering dietary supplement from Japanese pharmaceutical giant Kobayashi Pharma. The supplement, beni-koji choleste help, has been under intense scrutiny following the latest confirmations.
Kobayashi Pharma announced the two most recent deaths on Wednesday, following reports from affected families. One of the deceased had been exhibiting signs of kidney disease, while the other had been using the product since 2021.
Hospitalizations and Public Concern
The situation has escalated, with Japan's health ministry reporting that 93 individuals have been hospitalized after taking the supplements. The company's helpline has been inundated with over 12,000 health-related inquiries as of Wednesday.
This incident marks the first instance where a manufacturer has publicly linked a functional food product to fatalities and initiated a voluntary recall since the system's inception in 2015. Kobayashi Pharma has faced backlash for its handling of the crisis, with shareholders expressing their frustration, according to China Media Group (CMG).
Cause of Illness Under Investigation
The implicated beni-koji was produced at Kobayashi Pharma's Osaka facility. Preliminary investigations suggest that unexpected mold-derived ingredients may be responsible, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
The incidents have heightened public anxiety regarding the safety of functional food products in Japan. \"I'm worried because it's a company I trusted,\" expressed a concerned resident to CMG. Another resident emphasized, \"People buy their products based on trust. They should release information faster. This is a health-related issue.\"
Government Response
The Osaka city government has issued recall orders for three yeast-fermented rice products, including beni-koji choleste help. Disposal orders will follow under the Food Sanitation Act, and affected products are being pulled from store shelves.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for a thorough investigation. \"We need to determine the cause and consider necessary responses,\" he stated. In response, the government is launching an emergency inspection campaign targeting over 6,000 functional food products to prevent further incidents.
(Wu Rong contributed to this story. With input from Xinhua. Cover via CMG.)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
