The company began an investigation after a doctor alerted them to reported health problems in January. It also opened a hotline for customers seeking advice.
Affected customers reported symptoms such as changes in the colour of their urine, swelling in their limbs and fatigue.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical later said it had found a potentially toxic acid produced by the mould at one of its factories.
Separately, the company’s board of directors said it would “pray for those who died and offer condolences to the bereaved families.”
“We would also like to once again deeply apologise to our customers and business partners,” the statement added.
The company’s head of sustainability policy Satoshi Yamane will be its new president.
Akihiro Kobayashi, who has said he wants to take responsibility for any harm done to customers, will remain at the company to deal with any compensation arrangements.
Beni kōji is rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of reddish-purple mould. While advertised as a health supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure, it is also widely used as a traditional dye for food products.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cldyxl51y1lo,
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