Category: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Medical

Tokyo Institute of Science Identifies Mechanism Causing Kidney Damage from Red Yeast Rice Supplements

Amid health problems linked to red yeast rice supplements produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a research team at the Tokyo Institute of Science announced by the 5th that it has clarified part of the mechanism by which puberulic acid, a substance derived from blue mold and identified as the causal compound, triggers kidney damage. While the substance responsible had previously been identified, how it actually damaged the kidneys had remained unclear.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.

Kobayashi Pharm Chm. Vows Corporate Culture Reform

A major problem the drug and supplement maker must address is the “strong tendency to depend on top management,” seen among its employees, Ota said in a recent interview. In March 2024 it was discovered that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Cos supplement containing ‘beni koji’ – red fermented rice – had led to several deaths from kidney failure.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Health Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Podcast

The Saga of “Scandal-Tainted Kobayashi Pharma Co” Continues [Podcast Episode]

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said on Friday March 22nd 2024 it will voluntarily recall some 300,000 packs of five supplement products in Japan after reports of health damage suffered by users. The Osaka-based company said in March 2024 that 13 people had developed kidney disease and other symptoms after taking the products, advertised as foods with functional claims, including three containing “beni koji,” rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of mold that is red.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 18, 2024 Number of comments0
Health Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.

Puberulic Acid Causes Beni Koji-Linked Health Damage

Japan’s health ministry said Wednesday that puberulic acid caused kidney damage to users of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s supplements containing “beni koji” red fermented rice. The acid is one of three chemical compounds detected in the supplements, while no kidney toxicity was confirmed in animal experiments from the other two compounds, the ministry said.