Food supplement scandal based on red yeast rice: 76 new deaths suspected

On June 28, the Ministry of Health announced that 76 new deaths are suspected of being linked to the food supplement based on red yeast rice (me koji).

Last March, Osaka-based manufacturer Kobayashi Pharmaceutical reported the deaths of five people who had consumed its product called “Benikoji CholesteHelp” (one of which was ultimately unrelated).

According to the ministry and other sources, the company had been consulted about 170 people potentially dying from its supplement. Among them, 91 had never taken it, and the deaths of three others had been ruled out. The remaining 76 people died from kidney disease, cancer and stroke that may have been linked to Benikoji CholesteHelp.

Regarding the investigation, the National Institute of Health Sciences (located in Kawasaki) analyzed the components of red yeast rice from products manufactured between June and August last year, when the health problems began to be reported, and found puberulic acid, a substance derived from blue mold (An Italian pencil), citrus rot agent, as well as two other compounds. According to the ministry, puberulic acid is highly toxic and is not normally included in food supplements.

(See also our article: “Red yeast rice is not guilty”: looking for the cause of the health scandal)

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]