TOKYO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of people hospitalized has risen to 26 over health damage after ingesting a dietary supplement product produced by Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical containing beni-koji or red yeast rice, the company said on Monday, with the impact spilling over to other products.

The Osaka-based pharmaceutical giant reported six hospitalized cases of kidney damage and other health problems following intake of the yeast-fermented rice products last Friday, raising fears of health risks associated with the product.

The company suspects an unknown ingredient derived from molds may have caused the problems and among notable reported symptoms were swollenness and fatigue, alongside decreased kidney function, national news agency Kyodo reported on Monday.

Later on Monday, Japan's consumer watchdog, following reports of health problems among people who consumed supplements containing beni-koji, requested the drugmaker to provide a report on this matter by April 5, specifically asking it to review the safety-related documents submitted when the supplements were registered as functional food products, and report back accordingly.

According to the company, its hotline established on Friday has been facing overwhelming demand, with a flurry of inquiries raising suspicions of a potential link between the supplement intake and adverse health effects.

In its Friday announcement, the company disclosed that in addition to the six hospitalized individuals, seven others sought outpatient care. Local media reports noted a potential increase in the number of outpatient cases, and that with the possibility of further escalation in the extent of harm, trust in the safety of the product has been significantly shaken.

The company has initiated a voluntary recall of five products containing red yeast rice ingredients, calling on consumers to stop ingesting the supplements, which were advertised as effective in lowering bad cholesterol but were found to contain unexpected ingredients.

According to local media reports, among the red yeast rice produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, approximately 20 percent was used in their products, while the remaining 80 percent was sold to other companies as raw materials. It supplied red yeast rice to over 50 companies including beverage and food manufacturers and wholesalers.

It is estimated that 16.1 tons were sold externally in fiscal year 2023, with 6.9 tons used in supplements suspected of containing problematic ingredients.

The Consumer Affairs Agency on Monday also requested a similar report from ZERO PLUS, a Fukuoka-based functional food products seller, whose products contain the same red yeast rice ingredient, including its snack "rich cheese senbei" which claimed to help lower LDL cholesterol levels. The company has already halted the sale of this product and is pulling it back from consumers.

Japan's major beverage maker Takara Shuzo, also announced the recall of its "Mio Premium Rose" sake, which also contains the questioned ingredient. Enditem

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