[News Terms] After Japan, Taiwan too... Spreading Fear of 'Bulgeunnurok'

Following Japan, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's "Hongguk (Red Yeast)" is spreading overseas to places like Taiwan. It is a type of mold found in rice and other grains, mainly used in the production of alcohol and fermented foods. Additionally, because the specific mold produced during the fermentation process gives a red color as its name suggests, it has also been used as a food coloring agent.

Red yeast has also been widely used as a herbal medicine to improve blood circulation. It is recorded in the Donguibogam that it helps to promote blood flow and eliminate sticky blood clots called Eohyeol. Recently, it has been widely used as a supplement in health functional foods, thanks to research confirming that monacolin K and lovastatin, compounds produced by red yeast, are effective in lowering cholesterol levels. Moreover, the antioxidants contained in red yeast are known to reduce cell damage, slow down the aging process, and decrease the risk of chronic fatigue.

However, there are considerable side effects. Monacolin K can cause liver damage in some people and may induce side effects similar to lovastatin, which can cause muscle pain and damage. Additionally, some strains of red yeast produce a mycotoxin called "citrinin," which can cause kidney disease.

The health functional foods that triggered the red yeast scandal in Japan include three products such as "Hongguk Cholesterol Help." In Japan alone, five people who consumed these supplements died, and the number of hospitalized patients increased to 114. Most of the deceased and hospitalized had been taking the products for 2 to 3 years, with the cause of death being acute renal failure. Recently, six people in Taiwan who consumed health supplements using Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast raw materials have reported pain, raising concerns that this issue could spread to neighboring countries such as Korea and China.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has worked with the Korea Customs Service to block the import clearance of five Kobayashi Pharmaceutical health functional food products that were subject to mandatory recalls in Japan. They have also strengthened inspection at the customs clearance stage for other companies' products voluntarily recalled in Japan due to the use of red yeast raw materials from this company, and requested domestic platform companies to prevent the posting of sales listings. Additionally, when importing foods made with red yeast from Japan, importers are required to prove that the products do not use raw materials manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.