Concern Regarding Japan’s ‘Red Yeast’ Dietary Supplement Extends to China

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s President Akihiro Kobayashi (second from the left) and other executives bow their heads in apology at a press conference held in Osaka on the 29th regarding the health supplement incident involving ‘Red Yeast (Hongguk)’. / Xinhua, Yonhap.

The repercussions of Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s ‘Red Yeast (Hongguk)’ health supplement incident, which has led to five deaths, appear to be spreading beyond Japan’s borders, reaching as far as China.

According to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun on the 31st, the issue of fatalities linked to the consumption of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s Hongguk health supplement is garnering significant attention overseas, particularly in East Asia, including China and Korea. Mainichi noted that on the 29th, the Chinese Consumer Association issued a warning to residents of Beijing to discontinue the use of the Hongguk health supplement and advised them to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any adverse effects after consumption.

Although the product subject to voluntary recall is not directly available for sale in China, it can still be purchased through various online platforms. Furthermore, Japanese pharmaceuticals and health products continue to enjoy popularity among Chinese consumers, with many individuals purchasing them in bulk during trips to Japan. Earlier, on the 22nd, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had urged Chinese consumers to cease using the implicated product and to return it.

Mainichi, citing Reuters, reported that Chinese media outlets have been extensively covering the Hongguk health supplement incident, providing detailed updates on the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s on-site inspection of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical conducted on the previous day (30th). Additionally, Mainichi mentioned that Korean authorities (the Korea Food & Drug Administration) have initiated procedures to halt the import of the Hongguk health supplement since the 29th.