Five dead in health supplement scare in Japan

In the week since a line of Japanese health supplements began being recalled, five people have died and more than 100 people were in hospital as of yesterday.

Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co came under fire for not going public quickly with problems known internally as early as January.

The first public announcement came on March 22.

Company officials said 114 people were being treated in hospitals after taking products, including Benikoji Choleste Help meant to lower cholesterol, that contain an ingredient called benikoji, a red species of mould.

Some people developed kidney problems after taking the supplements, but the exact cause was still under investigation in cooperation with government laboratories, according to the manufacturer.

"We apologise deeply," company president Akihiro Kobayashi told reporters yesterday, bowing for a long time to emphasise the apology alongside three other top company officials.

He expressed remorse to those who are sick and to the families of those who have died. He also apologised for the troubles caused to the entire health food industry and the medical profession, adding that the company was working to prevent further damage and improve crisis management.

The company's products have been recalled – as have dozens of other products that contain benikoji, including miso paste, crackers and a vinegar dressing.

Japan's health ministry put up a list on its official site of all the recalled products, including some that use benikoji for food colouring.

The ministry warned the deaths could keep growing. The supplements could be bought at drug stores without a prescription.