PSA: Red yeast rice supplements recall, tofu, sake, miso, crackers containing red yeast rice recall too (worldwide)

[Arcadia]

It is a worldwide recall as the red yeast is supplied as an ingredient to roughly 50 other firms around the world. 
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240327_04/
“Japan's health ministry says a major Japanese drug maker has reported the second death of a person who had taken its health supplements containing red yeast rice, or "beni-koji."

Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical issued a voluntary recall last week for three products containing the ingredient.

… The company also told the ministry that 106 people have been hospitalized so far, but it has not yet confirmed whether there is any link between the red yeast rice in question and health problems.”

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240325_14/
“The Osaka-based drugmaker says it produces 18.5 tons of beni-koji annually, with 80 percent supplied to about 50 food and beverage companies.

It says none of them appear to have received reports of health problems from customers, but that two firms have issued voluntary recalls.

One is major beverage maker Takara Shuzo, which is recalling its "Mio Premium Rose" sake.

Online vendor Zero Plus is pulling back cheese crackers that contain the red yeast rice.”

[Arcadia]

5 deaths so far
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/cholesterol-supplements-japan-pill-recall-red-yeast-benikoji/
“At a news conference on Friday, the company said it had found a chemical compound — puberulic acid — in the recalled products, and is looking into whether the substance might be linked to the fatalities, the Japan Times newspaper reported. Kobayashi also said its products were exported to other countries, including China and Taiwan.

For now, no products containing benikoji have been recalled in the U.S. or linked to health issues. In Japan, meanwhile, the problem could stem from a quality control issue that allowed unwanted substances to enter Kobayashi's production line. 
…

According to Kobayashi's website, the company is working to increase sales of six brands including OTC pharmaceuticals in the U.S., China and Southeast Asia. Its U.S. subsidiary, Kobayashi Healthcare in Dalton, Ga., did not immediately return requests for comment.”