Japan orders recall of ‘red rice’ health products amid suspected deaths

New Delhi: In a significant health alert, Japanese authorities have mandated the recall of three "red rice" dietary supplements after they were linked to four deaths and over 100 hospitalisations.

The ministry of health's directive on Wednesday targeted the removal of Benikoji ColesteHelp, NaishiHelp Plus Cholesterol, and Natto-kinase Sarasara Tsubu GOLD from shelves nationwide. These products, manufactured by Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, contain "beni koji" - rice fermented with red yeast, which is traditionally utilised in food seasoning, preservation, and the production of rice wine.

Scientists have highlighted that the fermentation process can lead to the production of citrinin, a toxin that can cause kidney dysfunction. A spokesperson from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, in a conversation with CNN, noted that all four individuals who passed away had suffered from kidney conditions following the consumption of Benikoji ColesteHelp, with two having used the product since its 2021 launch.

The company initiated a voluntary recall of the implicated products last Friday, ahead of disclosing the suspected connection with the fatalities. "We were told yesterday by a bereaved family that a person who had been using Choleste Help had passed away due to kidney disease," the drugmaker said in a statement.

"We are in the process of confirming the facts and causal relationships in both of these cases," the statement said. "However, we decided to make this report public from the viewpoint of prompt disclosure."

An early investigation uncovered unintended substances in the materials used for manufacturing, though Kobayashi's website claims their beni koji products employ a bacterial strain that does not produce citrinin.

The company has engaged several universities for independent analysis to further investigate the matter, stating that the problematic batch might have been produced and distributed between April and December of the previous year. No toxins were detected in a recent screening this February.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical expressed its deep apologies for the inconvenience and concern caused to its customers and stakeholders, emphasising the seriousness with which it views this situation. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged the ongoing investigation into the deaths and their potential connection to beni koji, asserting that the government is ready to take all necessary measures.

The health scare has raised alarms beyond Japan, affecting other parts of Asia where Japanese health supplements are popular. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical issued a warning on Weibo about the availability of the recalled products in mainland China, despite not being officially sold there. Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration has suspended the import of over 150 beni koji-containing products, including those from Kobayashi. Similarly, Singapore recalled a beni koji-based sparkling sake from Kyoto-based Takara Shuzo.