The Vietnam Food Administration, a division of the Ministry of Health, on Monday issued a cautionary alert regarding the withdrawal of multiple supplement products from Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. following reports of adverse health effects experienced by consumers.

After examining product registration records in Vietnam, the Food Administration stated that it has not issued registration certificates for items such as ‘Beni-koji choleste-help,’ ‘Naishi-help plus cholesterol,’ ‘Natto-kinase sarasara-tsubu gold,’ and ‘Kobayashi Naishi Help 30’ from Kobayashi.

However, certain mass media outlets have reported the availability of Kobayashi products in the Vietnamese market.

Prioritizing consumer health and safety, the agency advises against purchasing or using products from the mentioned pharmaceutical company. 

Should any of these items be found for sale locally, people are urged to report them to the authorities for proper legal action.

On March 22, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., headquartered in Osaka, issued a notice regarding kidney disorders and other health issues among consumers of their dietary supplements containing ‘beni-koji,’ Mainichi reported.

‘Beni-koji’ is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mold, and is traditionally used for food coloring, according to The Japan Times.

According to the Mainichi report, 13 people aged between 40 and 70 experienced health complications, with six requiring hospitalization, two suffering from kidney damage necessitating temporary hemodialysis, and five others discharged from medical care. 

The company initiated a voluntary recall of products containing ‘beni-koji’ and advised consumers to cease using these dietary supplements.

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