5 people have died! Kobayashi Pharmaceutical: The problematic ingredient may be "Penicillic acid"

　　China News Service, March 30 (Xinhua) According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, on the 29th local time, Japan's Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company stated that the health products containing red yeast rice it produces contain a substance called "penicillinic acid". It may be a problematic ingredient, and it will be verified by the National Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Food Hygiene. Previously, the number of related deaths had increased to 5.

　　According to reports, Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company held a press conference in Osaka that day. At the meeting, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Akihiro Kobayashi bowed and apologized for the health damage caused by health products containing red yeast rice ingredients, saying, "This matter has developed into a social problem, and I deeply apologize."

　　According to reports, regarding the problematic ingredients in health products containing red yeast rice, the company revealed that it has reported to the government and research institutions that it may be affected by the natural compound "penicillinic acid" produced by Penicillium. In the future, we will cooperate with relevant departments and research institutions to step up efforts to identify the causal substances.

　　According to the report, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company disclosed that the fatal cases included men and women in their 70s to 90s. So far, a total of 680 people have gone to see a doctor or wanted to see a doctor because they have health problems, and 114 people have been hospitalized. The company promised to reimburse medical expenses and other expenses.

　　In view of the rapid expansion of the scope of damage, the Japanese government will convene relevant cabinet meetings to discuss countermeasures.

　　According to previous reports, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical decided to urgently recall three of its health products containing red yeast rice on March 22. The company said the problem may have been caused by an "unexpected" ingredient from mold mixed into the product, but it has not yet figured out what the ingredient was.

　　In addition to its own production of health products, the red yeast raw materials produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical are also sold to other companies for use in brewing and food manufacturing. The current recall scope of foods and seasonings using red yeast rice ingredients produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has been expanded to cover Japan.