TOKYO: On Tuesday, July 23, the chairman and president of a significant Japanese manufacturer of dietary supplements announced their resignation. The move comes as the company is looking into dozens of deaths that may have been caused by cholesterol-lowering tablets. Red yeast rice, fermented using a mold culture, is present in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s over-the-counter tablets, which is a source of health concern.
A critical external report that stated the company had not prioritized consumer safety and had acted with an “insufficient sense of urgency” was made public by the company’s board on Tuesday.
For centuries, people in East Asia have used red yeast rice, known as “beni koji,” in food, alcoholic beverages, and traditional medicine. Medical research shows that it can lower cholesterol levels, but depending on the chemical makeup of the ingredient, there may be a risk of organ damage.
Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi and President Akihiro Kobayashi announced their resignations in a company statement. The two men are descendants of the company’s founders.
According to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the decision was taken “to clarify executive responsibility over a series of actions by our company related to the ‘beni koji’ issue. The company, well-known in Japan, recalled three brands of dietary supplements in March after consumers reported experiencing kidney issues, sparking the scandal.
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