The sleazy world of dietary supplements is hardly confined to the U.S. In Japan, more than 100 people were sickened, and five died after consuming a ridiculous product called Benikoji Choleste, aka red rice yeast. How can such a dangerous supplement be sold? The following should sound quite familiar.
Japanese government health officials are inspecting a factory that produces health supplements that have been linked to at least five deaths and the hospitalization of more than 100 others. The
Around 80 percent of patients who developed health issues after consuming Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. red yeast rice dietary supplements went to the hospital in January or later, a study by the Japanese Society of Nephrology shows.