Be careful as misinformation and fake videos spread on SNS regarding red yeast rice

There is an issue in which people who ingested health foods containing Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red malt have developed kidney disease, etc., and there has been false information posted on social media claiming that food coloring called red malt pigment is dangerous. , a fake video has been circulating in which the president of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical makes statements in a press conference that he does not mention about the causes of health damage. When many people feel anxious, it is easy for misinformation and disinformation to spread, so it is important to be careful by checking information from public institutions and media outlets.

Since March 26, when it was reported that a person died after ingesting Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's "Red Yeast Choleste Help," the old Twitter account X posted a message about Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's "Red Malt Pigment," which is used in various foods as a coloring agent. There were a number of posts that confused the manufactured red yeast rice ingredients, and some of them were viewed more than 12 million times in one day with false information about the dangers.

"Aspergillus Aspergillus" is a food coloring agent obtained from the culture solution of Aspergillus Aspergillus, and its use as a food additive is approved by the country.

The Japan Food Additives Association, an industry group, has issued a statement stating that ``Roscus koji color'' and ``Red malt raw material'' are different, and that ``Rose koji color'' has not caused any health damage, and manufacturers have issued similar statements. I put it out.

In addition, false information claiming that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Akihiro Kobayashi said at a press conference that the new coronavirus vaccine was the cause of the health damage, and a fake video with edited subtitles have spread, each of which has been viewed more than 1.2 million times. In addition, there are completely baseless fake posts that misuse the logo of a major news site and claim that ``vaccines are the cause.''

When many people feel anxious, it is easy for false information to spread, so it is important to be careful by checking the accounts being sent for anything suspicious, as well as checking information from public institutions and news organizations.