😱 Tragic Loss: Four Lives After Kobayashi Supplement
In a shocking turn of events, four people have tragically died after consuming a cholesterol-lowering supplement produced by Japanese pharmaceutical giant Kobayashi Pharma. The product, known as \\"beni-koji choleste help,\\" has been linked to these fatalities, causing widespread concern in Japan and beyond.
🚨 Two New Deaths Confirmed
On Wednesday, Kobayashi Pharma confirmed two additional deaths after being contacted by the families of the deceased. One individual showed signs of kidney disease before passing away, while the other had been using the product since 2021. This brings the total number of deaths linked to the supplement to four.
🏥 Rising Hospitalizations and Public Outcry
According to Japan's health ministry, 93 people have been hospitalized after consuming the supplement. Kobayashi Pharma's helpline has been flooded with over 12,000 inquiries from worried consumers. This situation marks the first time a manufacturer has publicly linked a functional food product to deaths and initiated a voluntary recall since the system's introduction in 2015.
\\"I'm worried because it's a company I trusted,\\" a resident shared with China Media Group (CMG). \\"They should release information faster. This is a health-related issue.\\"
🔍 Cause Under Investigation
The beni-koji used in the supplement was produced at Kobayashi Pharma's Osaka factory. The company suspects that unexpected mold-derived ingredients might be to blame, but the exact cause remains unknown. The mystery has only heightened public anxiety about the safety of such products.
💼 Government Steps In
In response to the crisis, the Osaka city government has issued recall orders for three yeast-fermented rice products, including \\"beni-koji choleste help.\\" Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called for a thorough investigation. \\"We need to determine the cause and consider necessary responses,\\" he stated.
The government is launching an emergency inspection campaign targeting over 6,000 functional food products to prevent further incidents.
🙏 Public Demands Transparency
Trust in Kobayashi Pharma has been severely shaken. \\"People buy their products based on trust,\\" another resident commented. \\"This is about our health. We need answers.\\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
