A Taiwanese consumer group has sued Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical for compensation for health problems allegedly caused by products linked to the company. beni koji red fermented rice on Friday, Taiwanese media reported.
The group filed the lawsuit in Taipei District Court against six companies, including a Taiwanese unit of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and an importer in Taiwan, seeking 168 million New Taiwan dollars (about ¥760 million) in damages allegedly caused by 55 people would have suffered.
According to the group, the 55 people mainly have symptoms of kidney disease, and some of them are receiving dialysis. An official of the group said the defendant companies must fulfill their responsibilities with a business conscience.
In Taiwan, health problems have been reported in people who used Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s supplements purchased in Japan, and in those who used products made by a Taiwanese company that used the Japanese company’s beni kōji as an ingredient. According to Taiwanese health authorities, the number of such reports reached 69 as of September 20.
The latest development in Taiwan came after health concerns caused by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s beni kōji supplements were revealed in Japan in March. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health said puberulic acid caused kidney damage in users of the supplements.
