Japan health scare grows

Two deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations have been linked to a growing health scare in Japan around dietary supplements meant to lower cholesterol.

Authorities are investigating after the over-the-counter tablets were recalled by Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical following kidney complaints.

The company has recalled three supplement brands - "beni koji choleste help" and two other products - which contain an ingredient called red yeast rice, or "beni koji."

Medical studies describe red yeast rice as an alternative to statins for lowering high cholesterol, but also warn of a risk of organ damage.

"The total number of suspected deaths [is now] two," while "106 cases of potentially linked hospitalization also came to light," top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

The supplement maker sells a wide range of health products marketed through television adverts and has cautioned that it has not reached a conclusion on links to health problems.

It has supplied red yeast rice to nearly 50 Japanese firms and two in Taiwan, the company said.

Health minister Keizo Takemi said the government had told Kobayashi to "promptly provide information" on the situation. An analysis found a possibility that the products contained "ingredients we had not intended to include," the company said.

It did not find any citrinin produced by red yeast rice, which is toxic and can cause kidney damage.

Red yeast rice is "made by fermenting steamed rice with food fungus, and is often used to lower high cholesterol," according to a 2019 paper in the British Medical Journal.

Concerns have been raised in the past over red yeast rice products that contain a compound called monacolin K.

"Monacolin K can have the same potential side effects as statin drugs, including muscle, kidney, and liver damage," as per the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website.

Hongkongers, meanwhile, have been warned not to purchase parallel-imported health-care products, as a pharmacist called on the administration to step up spot checks.

Society of Hospital Pharmacists president William Chui Chun-ming said red yeast is a traditional fermented food that is commonly used to produce fermented bean curd.

It is believed to improve gastrointestinal health and metabolism, as well as lower cholesterol and improve blood pressure and blood sugar.

During the production of red yeast, monascus purpureus, a species of mold that is purplish-red in color, is required to add to the cooked rice, which will produce toxins that need to be eliminated before sales.

"Therefore, stringent control is required during the production," Chui said, adding that the temperature during transportation can cause the yeast to referment and produce toxins.

The administration should "conduct random checks on high-risk health care products."

The Department of Health said three registered medicines containing red yeast are not from the Japanese drugmaker.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com