Japanese Health Supplements Recalled: 100 Hospitalized, Five Dead Due to Unknown Reasons

In the past week, more than 100 people have been hospitalized and five people have died due to a line of Japanese health supplements being recalled. Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. faced criticism for not disclosing internal problems related to the supplements earlier, as issues were known as early as January but the announcement was made on March 22.

The company revealed that 114 people were being treated in hospitals for health issues after consuming products containing benikoji, a red mold species. Some of the affected individuals developed kidney problems, but the exact cause is still being investigated with government laboratories. President Akihiro Kobayashi issued a deep apology to those affected, their families, and the entire health food industry and medical profession.

Following the recall of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s products, several other items containing benikoji have also been pulled from shelves, including miso paste, crackers, and a vinegar dressing. Japan’s health ministry released a list of all the recalled products, warning that the number of deaths could increase. The supplements were available for purchase without a prescription and may have been bought or exported before the recall was initiated.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had been selling benikoji products for several years, with a significant amount produced in 2023. Analysts attribute the issue to recent deregulation initiatives aimed at accelerating approval for health products to boost economic growth. The incident highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the healthcare industry and raises questions about regulatory oversight in Japan’s rapidly growing health food market.