Kobayashi Pharma nutrition supplement scare: After 80 deaths, chief and president of Japan firm quit
kobayashi pharma logo and nutritional supplement
The chairman and president of Japan's Kobayashi Pharmaceutical resigned after months of controversy over some 80 deaths allegedly linked to its nutritional supplements. The toxic elements in fermented ricein the supplements used for reducing cholesterol was blamed for many of the deaths. A probe is ongoing.
Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals president Akihiro Kobayashi and chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi are resigning in the wake of the controversy, the company said on Tuesday (July 23). They are both members of the family that founded Kobayashi, a ubiquitous name in medicine and nutrition sectors in Japan.Satoshi Yamane, thecompany's head of sustainability policy,will take over as president.
Kobayashi nutrition supplement deaths: What really happened?
For several months now, deaths have been reported of people who had taken the various nutrition supplements for which Kobayashi is well-known.
The main issue was allegedly found in 'Beni koji', a cholesterol-reducing supplement made from rice fermented using a certain kind of mould.
Kobayashi had recalled five of its products in March after complaints of kidney ailments on those who consumed them.The symptoms reported by consumers included urine colour change, limb swelling and tiredness.
)
Shah Rukh Khan spends quality time with wife Gauri and children in London; videos go viral
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Van rams into crowd at Berlin Pride event, one dead; suspect 'linked to Islamist circles'
)
'House raided, father picked up': UP man Mohd Junaid alleges crackdown after CJP protest; Police deny claims
)
Who is Abhijeet Dipke? Founder of Cockroach Janta Party leading NEET protests that triggered Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Russia activates nuclear beast Admiral Nakhimov amid war
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Sam Heughan and KT Tunstall steal the show at Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
'will work to the best of my ability', says Joshi on being made education minister
)
Hidden in British archives: Scientists decode 200-year-old Indian scroll that helped sailors cross one of the world's toughest seas
)
Was CJP not controlling the protest? What spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told WION after Pradhan's resignation
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 fires its missiles straight up into the air
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Jennifer Winget and William Ishmael's dreamy UK intimate wedding: See inside photos
)
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan's New York diaries! Couple's rare appearance goes viral
)
'Vox Populi': Kamal Haasan, Chinmayi, Pa Ranjith react to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
)
Why more than 75,000 people watched a record Qantas flight on Flightradar24 Friday?
)
Dharmendra Pradhan resignation: Expert explains BJP's next move & CJP protest impact
)
Another education minister resigned amid corruption row before Dharmendra Pradhan — but not in India
)
Did the government avert a larger agitation by conceding to CJP's demands? WION Decodes
)
Google ends Play Services Support, likely to stop these Android phones from downloading apps & games
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Finished Kay Kay Menon's Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya? Here are 5 binge-worthy Hindi OTT series to stream next
)
US says Turkey still barred from F-35 program until it gives up Russian S-400 system: Report
)
ChatGPT invoked God, told pastor not to worry about his symptoms. Then pulmonary embolism hit
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
Reacher star Alan Ritchson slams US President Donald Trump over Epstein files; White House fires back
Kobayashi had opened an internal investigation and opened a helpline after doctors alerted them of the side effects. It was found that there was potentially toxic acid in monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mould that was used to ferment rice for itsBeni kōji products. The acid was detected at one of its factories.The company subsequently closed several of its factories for inspection.
"We would also like to once again deeply apologise to our customers and business partners," the company said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
