SINGAPORE – The recalled health supplements that have been linked to at least five deaths and 100 hospitalisations in Japan are not marketed for sale in Singapore, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on April 1.
The three products from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Japan are Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol, Nattokinase Smooth Grain Gold and Naishi Help + Cholesterol.
They contain beni koji, and are currently being recalled in Japan following widespread reports of alleged adverse health effects by those who consumed them.
Beni koji, or red yeast rice, is used to make red rice wine and other food products, and is also used as a pigment.
As it produces statins, which help lower cholesterol, it is often marketed as a health supplement.
Statins, however, can pose health risks in those who have diabetes or liver conditions.
HSA said that the affected products were recalled due to the presence of unintended ingredients. These ingredients are suspected to have caused kidney problems in consumers.
The health authority said: “Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Japan is currently investigating the matter. HSA will continue to work with Kobayashi Pharmaceutical (Singapore) and also monitor the situation closely. Members of the public will be updated if there is any safety concern.”
It added: “To date, there has been no report of serious adverse events suspected to be associated with the use of red yeast rice in health products that are available locally.”
In the case of the recalled Kobayashi Pharmaceutical supplements, ingredients that were not meant to be included were also detected in the products.
According to Japanese media reports, puberulic acid – a potent antibacterial and antimalarial agent that can be produced from blue mould and can be toxic – was confirmed in a batch of the products that caused the health complaints.
Two factory premises operated by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical in Osaka and Wakayama have been searched by Japanese officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Consumers with pre-existing medical conditions should consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming health products, including those that contain beni koji, to avoid any interaction with medicines they might already be consuming.
Anyone who feels unwell after consuming health products should stop taking them and seek medical advice.
Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, it was reported that patients who had consumed the affected products were subsequently diagnosed with kidney ailments. This is inaccurate. HSA said that the presence of unintended ingredients in the supplements was suspected to have caused kidney problems in consumers. We are sorry for the error.
