Five people die and more than 100 are hospitalised in Japan 'after eating ... trends now
Five people in Japan are believed to have died after eating cholesterol-lowering supplements.
More than 100 people have also been admitted to hospital complaining of kidney problems since taking the pills containing red yeast rice or 'beni kōji'.
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 related to the products, which aren't sold in the UK, as early as January.
Yet the first public announcement did not come until March 22.
More than 100 people have also been admitted to hospital complaining of kidney problems since taking the pills containing red yeast rice or 'beni kōji'. Officials have issued an urgent alert recalling three over-the-counter supplements made by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical. Pictured, one of the three recalled products 'Beni Koji Choleste Help'
The health giant admitted it was aware of problems related to the products, which aren't sold in the UK, as early as January. Yet the first public announcement did not come until March 22. Pictured, Akihiro Kobayashi, president of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, arriving at a news conference in Osaka today
Beni kōji is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mould.
While advertised as a health supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure, it's also widely used as a traditional colour dye for food products.
The three recalled products include 'Beni Koji Choleste Help', 'NaishiHelp Plus Cholesterol' and 'Natto-kinase Sarasara Tsubu GOLD'.
The Osaka-based drugmaker this week admitted it had supplied red yeast rice to around 50 other firms in Japan and two in Taiwan.
Among the five deaths, one had reportedly bough '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 the
