THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
September 18, 2024 at 17:35 JST
A building that houses the health ministry in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The health ministry on Sept. 18 blamed health problems that occurred after people ingested Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s benikoji dietary supplements on puberulic acid derived from blue mold that was mixed into the products.
The ministry announced the results of its investigation into the scandal, which triggered kidney damage among customers.
According to the health hazard situation reported by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical to the ministry, 502 people had been hospitalized by Sept. 15, and 120 people who died had been confirmed to have ingested the supplements.
The ministry said that toxic puberulic acid was unintentionally included in the ingredients of the products, which had been linked to health hazards, due to contamination by blue mold.
The National Institute of Health Sciences was investigating the relationship between ingredients that were unintentionally contained, such as puberulic acid, and health threats through animal experiments and other means.
Ministry: Toxic acid found in supplements can damage kidneys
May 29, 2024
2nd Kobayashi plant searched over problems tied to ‘benikoji’
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Top executives resign over Kobayashi Pharma scandal
July 23, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma plant searched, but still no clues
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Turmoil as toxic ‘puberulic acid’ found in recalled dietary product
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2nd death linked to Kobayashi Pharma product, 106 hospitalized
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