How many people have been hospitalised from these supplements?

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Five Deaths Potentially Linked to Red Yeast Rice Supplements; 114 Hospitalised

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is investigating five potential deaths and 114 hospitalisations connected to its dietary supplements containing red yeast rice, also known as 'beni koji'. The company has recalled three brands of over-the-counter tablets as a precautionary measure while it probes the link between these products and the reported health issues.
Investigations into Health Issues and Deaths

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has been informed of the death of a fifth customer who had been taking its 'Beni Koji Choleste Help' supplement and subsequently developed a kidney condition. The company stated it is in the process of confirming the facts and the causal relationship between the supplement and the reported health problems. This follows earlier reports linking the supplements to four deaths and a significant number of hospitalisations, prompting a voluntary recall of the affected products.
Product Recall and Ingredient Concerns

The company initiated a voluntary recall of "Beni Koji Choleste Help" and two other tablet brands approximately one week prior to the latest update. These supplements contain red yeast rice, an ingredient known for its cholesterol-lowering properties. However, medical studies indicate that red yeast rice can also carry a risk of organ damage, with the severity dependent on the ingredient's specific chemical composition.
Broader Impact and Regulatory Scrutiny

The growing crisis has garnered significant attention in Japan, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida indicating that all possible measures will be considered to prevent similar incidents if a direct link is established. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical also supplies its red yeast rice ingredient to approximately 50 other companies in Japan and two in Taiwan. In response to the scare, some of these companies have proactively recalled food products that include the ingredient, such as a rose-coloured sake and a salad dressing. Taiwanese authorities have reported that 154 products containing red yeast rice have been preventively recalled on the island, and a woman in her 70s there reportedly developed kidney failure after prolonged use of Kobayashi's supplements.

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