Concerns about the safety of products using red yeast rice are spreading on social media, and companies that sell them are receiving a series of inquiries from consumers.
There are also voices of concern on social media.
On social media, concerns about the safety of other foods using red yeast rice are spreading.
``I would like consumers to clearly know whether the red yeast rice pigment is made by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.'' ``Is
this the red yeast rice itself, or is Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice akan?'' ``The
official announcement is... I think I'll refrain from using it until it's over."
Inquiries have been made one after another to companies that “use products other than Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals”
It is said that companies that sell products using red yeast rice are receiving a series of inquiries.
"CIAO Churu"
Among these products, "CIAO Chu-ru" for cats, which is made by "Inaba Pet Food" and is made by making a paste of raw materials such as tuna, bonito, and chicken fillet, in a stick-shaped bag, and "CIAO Chu-ru" for dogs. With the exception of some products, such as ``Wan Churu'', ``red yeast rice pigment'' is used.
According to the company, they do not use the raw materials used in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's health foods, but instead use ingredients from multiple other companies.
A company representative said, ``We have not had any problems with safety so far, but just to be sure, we have asked our supplier companies about the differences and safety between ``red yeast rice'' and ``red yeast color.'' I'm in the middle of it," he said.
In addition, Shiino Foods, which uses red malt pigment in salted fish such as tuna and bonito, has made the following announcement on its website.
``We would like to inform you that the ``red yeast color'' (manufactured by Yaegaki Publishing Co., Ltd.) that we use in our products is in no way related to ``red yeast rice'' manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.''
According to a company spokesperson, there have been a number of inquiries from consumers regarding the safety of food products, and ``There have been no reported problems with our products so far, and we are confident that there will be no problems in the future.'' We will take thorough measures to prevent this from happening."
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``We are still waiting for the report of the investigation being conducted by the Osaka City Public Health Center, so we do not yet know what is causing the problem in red yeast rice.In general, health hazards have not been reported with health foods. In that case, a report will be received from the health center in charge, and the contents will be examined by a council of experts.We would like to respond as quickly as possible."