Japanese Health Supplements Recall Leads to 5 Deaths and More Than 100 Hospitalizations

TOKYO—Five people who took a Japanese health supplement have died and more than 100 have been hospitalized as of Friday, a week after a pharmaceutical company issued a recall of the products, officials said.

Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. faced criticism for delaying public disclosure of known problems as early as January. The first public announcement was made on March 22.

Initially, the death toll was reported as two people. However, company officials updated the number of deaths to five on Friday and stated that 114 individuals were receiving treatment in hospitals after consuming products like Benikoji Choleste Help designed to lower cholesterol, containing an ingredient called benikoji, a red species of mold.

Some individuals experienced kidney issues after taking the supplements, but the exact cause was still being investigated in collaboration with government laboratories, according to the manufacturer.

“We deeply apologize,” President Akihiro Kobayashi told reporters on Friday, bowing for an extended period to stress the apology alongside three other senior company officials.

He expressed regret to the deceased, the affected individuals, and their families. He also apologized for the disruption caused to the entire health food industry and medical profession, mentioning that the company was working to prevent further harm and enhance crisis management.

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The company’s products have been recalled, along with numerous other products containing benikoji, such as miso paste, crackers, and a vinegar dressing. Japan’s health ministry identified all the recalled products on its official website, including some utilizing benikoji for food coloring.

The ministry cautioned that the death toll could rise further. The supplements were available at drug stores without a doctor’s prescription, and some may have been bought or exported before the recall, potentially by unaware tourists facing health risks.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had been marketing benikoji products for years, selling a million packages in the last three fiscal years, but issues emerged with supplements produced in 2023. The company reported producing 18.5 tons of benikoji the previous year.

Some analysts attribute the recent deregulation initiatives, which expedited approval processes for health products to stimulate economic growth.

By Yuri Kageyama