2024/3/27 11:08 (updated at 3/27 13:27)
The picture shows the logo of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company. (Kyodo News)
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 27th, comprehensive foreign news reports) Regarding reports that some people developed kidney disease problems after eating health foods containing red yeast rice from Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare revealed yesterday that the number of deaths after taking related products increased to 2, and 2 people were hospitalized. The number of cases increased to 106.
According to reports from the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (referred to as the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) yesterday notified the Osaka City Government, the administrative unit where Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Corporation is located, saying that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s health food contains red yeast rice. The sale of food that may be harmful to health is prohibited under Article 6 of the Food Hygiene Act.
However, the authority to determine the ban on sales and issue ban sales orders belongs to local governments. The three products that comply with Article 6 of the same law are three health foods containing red yeast ingredients, including “Red Yeast Cholesterol-Reducing Tablets” announced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical on March 22.
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor has issued the above notice to the Osaka City Health Director. The Osaka City Government has decided today to impose administrative sanctions on Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals.
As Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice problem continues to expand, the Japanese government will convene relevant ministries today to discuss how to respond.
When the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Consumer Affairs Agency jointly listened to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s statement yesterday, they learned that the number of deaths increased by one, bringing the total to two deaths. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical originally announced yesterday that one person died due to kidney disease, and the cause may be related to the company’s products.
However, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has not yet obtained the details of the second death. It is said that the doctor revealed that the deceased had kidney damage.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical explained to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that the connection between red yeast rice and public health problems is still unclear.
As of March 26, the number of hospitalizations after taking the company’s health foods has increased to 106; the consultation window set up by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has received about 3,000 inquiries. (Translator: Yang Weijing/Verification: Zhang Xiaowen) 1130327
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