In Japan, five people die and more than a hundred are hospitalized ‘after eating cholesterol-lowering supplements’

Five people in Japan are believed to have died after eating cholesterol-lowering supplements.

More than 100 people have also been hospitalized with complaints of kidney problems since taking the red yeast rice or ‘beni kōji’ pills.

Officials have issued an urgent alert recalling three over-the-counter supplements made by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.

The health giant admitted it was aware of problems with the products, which are not sold in Britain, as early as January.

Yet the first public announcement did not come until March 22.

The health giant admitted it was aware of problems with the products, which are not sold in Britain, as early as January. Yet the first public announcement did not come until March 22. Pictured, Akihiro Kobayashi, president of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, arrives at a press conference in Osaka today

Beni kōji is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a type of red-purple fungus.

Although it is advertised as a health supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure, it is also widely used as a traditional food coloring.

The three recalled products are ‘Beni Koji Choleste Help’, ‘NaishiHelp Plus Cholesterol’ and ‘Natto-kinase Sarasara Tsubu GOLD’.

The Osaka-based drugmaker admitted this week that it had supplied red yeast rice to about 50 other companies in Japan and two in Taiwan.

Of the five deaths, one had reportedly been purchasing ‘beni-koji’ for almost three years and died of kidney disease. Another recently also had ‘Choleste Aid’.

Affected customers had also reported symptoms such as changes in urine color, swelling in their limbs and fatigue.

“We are in the process of confirming the facts and causal links in both cases,” Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said.

“However, we have decided to make this report public from the perspective of rapid disclosure.”

Japanese companies that used Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s beni koji have now also separately announced recalls.

The Osaka-based drugmaker admitted this week that it had supplied red yeast rice to about 50 other companies in Japan and two in Taiwan. Pictured, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Akihiro Kobayashi (second from left) and officials bow during a press conference in Osaka today

Of the five deaths, one had reportedly been purchasing ‘beni-koji’ for almost three years and died of kidney disease. Another had also recently used ‘Choleste Help’. Affected customers had also reported symptoms such as changes in urine color, swelling in their limbs and fatigue. In the photo a pharmaceutical factory of Kobayashi

The affected products include health tablets, as well as rose-colored sparkling sake, salad dressing, bread and miso paste used in many traditional dishes.

However, officials warned that the supplements, available without a prescription at drugstores, could have been purchased by tourists who may not be aware of the health risks.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the government was investigating the deaths and the suspected link to beni koji, adding that it was ready to take action.

“If necessary, we must consider all possible measures,” he said.

In Taiwan, the Food and Drug Administration has ordered distributors to suspend imports of more than 150 products containing beni koji, including Kobayashi.

And in Singapore, authorities recalled a sparkling sake, a type of rice wine, from Kyoto-based Takara Shuzo, which uses beni koji in its production.

The drugmaker has also urged Chinese customers to return the products.

High cholesterol means that people have too much of the fatty substance in their blood and this is mainly caused by a poor diet in combination with a lack of exercise.

High cholesterol contributes to over 7 percent of all deaths in England alone and affects up to 60 percent of all adults.

People with high cholesterol are first asked by doctors to make lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet and exercise, to lower their levels.

However, if these measures fail, patients may be prescribed statins to help control cholesterol.