Beni kōji: One dead and dozens sick after taking red yeast pill in Japan

[Kb27]

hopefully no one is taking this red yeast rice pill here. 😣

 

Japan dietary supplement recalled amid investigation into two deaths and 100 hospitalisations

Cholesterol-lowering supplements containing ‘beni koji’ recalled by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical over possible link to kidney disease

 

Beni kōji: One dead and dozens sick after taking red yeast pill in Japan

A major Japanese drugmaker has said it is investigating a death and dozens of hospitalisations that could be linked to its red yeast rice pills.

At least 76 people were admitted to hospital after taking the beni kōji fermented rice products, the firm says.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical reported the illnesses after issuing a voluntary recall of five products last week.

The firm urged customers to stop using the pills, which were advertised as cholesterol-lowering supplements.

Kobayashi said it suspected that the problem may have come from previously undetected toxic substances in moulds used in production.

Beni kōji is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mould. While advertised as a health supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure, it's also widely used as a traditional colour dye for food products.

On Tuesday, the company issued a statement announcing the "causal relationship" of its Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product and the customer's death.

It said it had received a message from the bereaved family saying the person had died from kidney disease and had been using the Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product the past three years. The firm said there had been a regular mail order.

"Although we are diligently confirming the facts and causal relationships, we would like to report this from the perspective of prompt information disclosure," Kobayashi said. "Our company has always prioritised the health of our customers above all else and we sincerely apologise for this situation."

Affected customers had reported symptoms such as changes in the colour of urine, swelling in their limbs and fatigue.

The company began an investigation after a doctor alerted them to reported health problems in January. It has since established a hotline for customers.

Its Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product debuted on shelves in February 2021. The company has so far sold more than a million packets, Japanese media reported.

The firm has also supplied beni kōji as a food ingredient to food and beverage makers around the world. It warned companies of the risk last week.

None have reported any illnesses among customer so far. But one major beverage maker, Takara Shuzo Co, announced it would recall a sparkling sake product that had been coloured with the supplied beni kōji.

[SGMCF328]

The figure has grew to 2 deaths and 106 hospitalization cases as of today.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-kobayashi-pharmaceutical-beni-koji-red-yeast-rice-lower-cholesterol-4224726

Medical studies describe red yeast rice as an alternative to statins for lowering high cholesterol, but also warns of a risk of organ damage depending on its chemical make-up.

 

And SFA has also recall recalls sake containing ingredient potentially linked to death & hospitalizations in Japan.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/recall-sake-red-yeast-rice-beni-koji-mio-sparkling-premium-rose-4223361

SFA said it was recalling Mio Sparkling Sake Premium (Rose), which comes in 300ml and 750ml bottles, following the voluntary recall of the two products in Japan by its manufacturer Takara Shuzo International.

The two products contained red yeast rice, or "beni koji".

 

[Inlinefour]

wow lau eh yeast infection kills 

[Atonchia]

Then still can eat this or not?

Also using red yeast rice 

 

[Ender]

Our pharmacies has those red yeast pill that said to lower cholesterol. Safe to eat?

[Ender]

On 3/27/2024 at 8:55 PM, Atonchia said:

Then still can eat this or not?

Also using red yeast rice 

 

I cannot tahan the taste, but my wife likes it.

[Atonchia]

On 3/27/2024 at 9:59 PM, Ender said:

I cannot tahan the taste, but my wife likes it.

Those who eat this must like the yeasty and wine flavour of the red yeast.

[Vratenza]

On 3/27/2024 at 8:55 PM, Atonchia said:

Then still can eat this or not?

Also using red yeast rice 

 

@Jamesc recipe for your MIL?😁

[Kopites]

Is this one of foo chow delicacy? Red yeast vermicelli. 👍

[kobayashiGT]

On 3/27/2024 at 7:02 PM, Kb27 said:

hopefully no one is taking this red yeast rice pill here. 😣

 

Japan dietary supplement recalled amid investigation into two deaths and 100 hospitalisations

Cholesterol-lowering supplements containing ‘beni koji’ recalled by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical over possible link to kidney disease

 

Beni kōji: One dead and dozens sick after taking red yeast pill in Japan

A major Japanese drugmaker has said it is investigating a death and dozens of hospitalisations that could be linked to its red yeast rice pills.

At least 76 people were admitted to hospital after taking the beni kōji fermented rice products, the firm says.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical reported the illnesses after issuing a voluntary recall of five products last week.

The firm urged customers to stop using the pills, which were advertised as cholesterol-lowering supplements.

Kobayashi said it suspected that the problem may have come from previously undetected toxic substances in moulds used in production.

Beni kōji is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mould. While advertised as a health supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure, it's also widely used as a traditional colour dye for food products.

On Tuesday, the company issued a statement announcing the "causal relationship" of its Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product and the customer's death.

It said it had received a message from the bereaved family saying the person had died from kidney disease and had been using the Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product the past three years. The firm said there had been a regular mail order.

"Although we are diligently confirming the facts and causal relationships, we would like to report this from the perspective of prompt information disclosure," Kobayashi said. "Our company has always prioritised the health of our customers above all else and we sincerely apologise for this situation."

Affected customers had reported symptoms such as changes in the colour of urine, swelling in their limbs and fatigue.

The company began an investigation after a doctor alerted them to reported health problems in January. It has since established a hotline for customers.

Its Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product debuted on shelves in February 2021. The company has so far sold more than a million packets, Japanese media reported.

The firm has also supplied beni kōji as a food ingredient to food and beverage makers around the world. It warned companies of the risk last week.

None have reported any illnesses among customer so far. But one major beverage maker, Takara Shuzo Co, announced it would recall a sparkling sake product that had been coloured with the supplied beni kōji.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical have got nothing to do with me ah. hahahah. Even thou i wish my ah gong is the real koba. 😁

[Lala81]

On 3/27/2024 at 9:59 PM, Ender said:

Our pharmacies has those red yeast pill that said to lower cholesterol. Safe to eat?

They have chemical effect of lovastatin, one of the earlier statins which is also weaker effect. 

Of course dose etc maybe unregulated.

[Kb27]

Kobayashi Pharma confirms fifth death linked to its supplements

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said Friday that it has confirmed a fifth death linked to its beni kо̄ji red yeast rice dietary supplements.

The Japanese company has received reports of illness linked to Beni Koji Choleste Help supplements and recalled the products. The relationship between the deaths and the supplements remains unclear, and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Akihiro Kobayashi was set to hold a news conference later in the day in Osaka.

The drugmaker announced on March 22 that some people who took the supplements had experienced symptoms such as kidney disease.

The company has not disclosed the age, sex or address of anyone who has died. It suspects an unknown substance derived from mold may have caused the problems but is unable to ascertain a specific cause.

A total of 93 people have been hospitalized after consuming the supplements, the health ministry said Thursday, adding that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had received about 12,000 inquiries about the problems.

[BanCoe]

On 3/28/2024 at 9:11 AM, kobayashiGT said:

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical have got nothing to do with me ah. hahahah. Even thou i wish my ah gong is the real koba. 😁

Here ….. this is the real U lah !! U dunno the diff between Javanese & Japanese 🤣🤣

[BanCoe]

On 3/28/2024 at 8:33 AM, Vratenza said:

@Jamesc recipe for your MIL?😁

…..and he will make an honest buck too 😇😇

[Flying_genie]

Red yeast rice is supposed to lower cholesterolm specifically LDL. Many in Singapore are taking it instead of statins.