Japanese Health Supplement Recall Leaves 100 Hospitalized, Kills 5: What Happened and How to Prevent It in the Future

The recent recall of a line of Japanese health supplements has left over 100 people hospitalized and five dead in its wake. Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. is facing 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.

In addition to 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.

The issue is believed to be due to recent deregulation initiatives aimed at accelerating approval for health products to boost economic growth. Analysts warn that this could lead to more cases like this in the future if proper safety measures are not put in place.