Side effects from Japanese red yeast ‘red yeast’ nutritional supplements continue to appear
So far, 5 people have died after taking related products.
In Taiwan, 3 people complained of worsening health
[앵커]
The number of people who died in Japan after taking health supplements containing red yeast, ‘red yeast’, has increased to five.
In Taiwan, the scandal is not subsiding as the number of people complaining of health problems after taking nutritional supplements imported from the same ingredients is increasing.
This is a report from correspondent Kim Se-ho from Tokyo.
[기자]
A series of victims are complaining of side effects such as kidney disease after consuming health supplements containing Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s ‘red yeast’ ingredient.
So far, the number of people who have died after taking the product has increased to five.
The number of hospitalized patients has reached approximately 110, and the number of people seeking outpatient care is approaching 700.
It has been reported that three people in Taiwan complained of worsening health after consuming red yeast-containing products imported from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company.
[오사나이 아쓰시/ 와세다 대학교 교수 : 가능한 많은 사람의 건강을 보호하는 조치를 해야 합니다. 이건 국경이 없습니다. 일본 이외 해외의 파장도 살펴야 합니다.]
As casualties continued to rise, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and local governments began on-site investigations into factories producing related products.
[야마시타 겐지 / 고바야시 제약사 제조본부장 : 정부 조사에 전적으로 협조하고, 성실히 응하겠습니다. 여러 물의와 폐를 끼쳐 대단히 죄송합니다.]
Even though Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company was aware of the problem in January of this year, it took voluntary recall measures two months later, drawing criticism for its delayed response.
In particular, it is estimated that there are already over 33,000 companies that have received ‘red yeast’ raw materials from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.
There are concerns that unexpected damage may increase as distribution channels are not properly understood.
The Japanese government and pharmaceutical companies have stepped up to resolve the situation, but it seems likely that the scandal will continue for a long time.
This is YTN Kim Se-ho from Tokyo.
YTN Kim Se-ho (se-35@ytn.co.kr)
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