TOKYO, Japan —
Medical studies describe red yeast rice as an alternative to statins for lowering high cholesterol, but also warn of a risk of organ damage depending on its chemical make-up. It has also supplied red yeast rice to around 50 other firms in Japan and two in Taiwan, the Osaka-based company says. The affected products include various health tablets, as well as a rose-coloured sparkling sake, salad dressing, bread and miso paste used in many traditional dishes.Health Minister Keizo Takemi said on Tuesday that the government had told Kobayashi Pharmaceutical to "promptly provide information" on the situation.
Red yeast rice is "made by fermenting steamed rice with food fungus, and is often used to lower high cholesterol as an alternative to statin medication", according to a 2019 paper in the British Medical Journal.