Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Plans to Cover the Costs of Those Hospitalized Due to “beni koji” Supplement Health Issues

From Jiji 

March 29 2024

OSAKA – Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. President and Chief Operating Officer Akihiro Kobayashi on Friday apologized over a series of health issues that have occurred among users of its dietary supplement products containing “beni koji” red fermented rice.

“We’d like to deeply apologize for (the health problems) becoming a social issue,” Kobayashi told a press conference in the western Japan city of Osaka. He said he has no plans at present to step down.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said that it plans to cover, at the very least, the treatment costs of hospitalized patients, outpatients and others. It will also offer similar compensation to affected users outside of Japan.

The company on Friday announced a fifth death linked to its beni koji supplement products.

According to the health ministry, 93 people have been hospitalized after taking the supplement products, with the company receiving around 12,000 inquiries as of Wednesday.