TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced on Thursday (March 28) that two more deaths in Japan have been linked to its health food products containing red yeast rice, bringing the total number of fatalities to four.
According to a NHK report, the families of the two newly reported deceased said the victims had taken "Red Yeast Rice Cholesterol Granules" and subsequently showed symptoms of suspected kidney disease.
In addition, the number of hospitalizations of people who have consumed Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's health food products containing red yeast rice has reached 106 as of Thursday morning.
Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that the number of affected products in Taiwan has reached 123.
The FDA is urging businesses to voluntarily report in accordance with the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. Those who have used or sold the products but have not reported may face fines ranging from NT$ 30,000 to NT$ 3,000,000.