What are the red yeast pills that killed 1 person and made several sick in Japan?

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a well-known Japanese pharmaceutical business, has found itself as a subject of scrutiny following concerns about the safety of its red yeast rice pills. But how did the medication supposed to improve people’s health have the opposite effect?

The facts

After eating fermented rice products called beni kōji, one person was reported dead and 76 people were admitted at the hospital.

The company, upon learning of the diseases, voluntarily recalled five goods. Kobayashi Pharma said it is looking into the death and multiple hospital admissions that may be connected to its red yeast rice pills.

Consumers were advised to stop using the pills, which were marketed as supplements that were used as cholesterol-lowering aids.

Concerns surfaced about potentially harmful materials in the moulds used in the process.

Beni kōji, fermented rice containing monascus purpureus mould, is traditionally used as a culinary colouring and is advertised as a health supplement for controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

The arguments

Since its release in February 2021, the red yeast cholesterol help product has sold over a million packets. Global suppliers of beni kōji as a culinary ingredient include Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.

After a doctor’s alarm in January, the affected patients reported symptoms like weariness, limb swelling, and changes in urine colour. This prompted an investigation. For questions, the business has set up a customer hotline.

According to clinical experts, the investigation into the safety of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice pills underscores the critical importance of stringent quality control measures in the production of dietary supplements.

However, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical admitted that there might have been a connection between a customer’s kidney disease-related mortality and their Red Yeast Cholesterol Help product. The company maintained that it places a high priority on customer wellness and timely information dissemination.

A beverage manufacturer, Takara Shuzo Co., also announced a recall of a sparkling sake product coloured with the supplied beni kōji, showing a cautious industry response to potential hazards, even though no illnesses have been reported among customers of companies supplied with beni kōji.

Meanwhile, stakeholders across the industry are reminded of placing consumer health above all else.

Critics ae of the view that the incident serves as a cautionary tale, prompting both companies and regulatory bodies to remain vigilant in monitoring and addressing potential risks associated with dietary supplements and food products.

A study by Mayo Clinic stated that both total blood cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels can be decreased with red yeast rice. Although the supplement is generally regarded as safe, it may have adverse effects similar to those of statin cholesterol medications.

A statin may be more expensive than red yeast rice. On the other hand, there is less guarantee regarding the quality and real amount of active ingredient in a supplement. The report further added that certain red yeast products may have negligible effects on cholesterol levels due to their modest concentrations of monacolin K.