Five individuals have died and more than 100 are being treated in hospitals following the consumption of health supplements produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., based in Osaka, Japan. The company has come under scrutiny for delaying the disclosure of issues related to its products, with its first public notification not released until March 22, though problems were internally acknowledged as early as January. The problematic products, including “Benikoji Choleste Help”—intended to lower cholesterol—were found to contain benikoji, a form of red mold.

Akihiro Kobayashi, the company’s president, publicly apologized, expressing deep regret over the detrimental impact on affected individuals and their families. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has initiated a recall that encompasses numerous products, such as miso paste, crackers, and vinegar dressing, all of which contain the contentious ingredient.

The Japanese health ministry has published a comprehensive list of the recalled products on its website, highlighting the potential for an increase in the number of fatalities connected to these supplements. This incident has raised alarms regarding the oversight of health supplements, especially in light of recent regulatory changes aimed at expediting the approval process for such products.

As the medical community and regulatory bodies delve into the investigation of this issue, there is a concerted call for more stringent regulatory measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This tragedy not only affects those directly impacted but also calls into question the broader implications for consumer safety in the health food and pharmaceutical sectors.