Current location:health >>
EDITORIAL: Food labeling review inevitable following Benikoji scare
health63848People have gathered around
IntroductionThe issue of food safety is again in the news following reports that people died after ingesting a d ...
The issue of food safety is again in the news following reports that people died after ingesting a dietary supplement made by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. that contains benikoji, a malted rice ingredient.
There is a bitter irony that the cases involve products advertised as helping to maintain and enhance health. This, of course, places significant responsibility on the pharmaceutical company. It is crucial to prevent additional cases and grasp the full scope of the matter as efforts get under way to investigate the cause.
The outbreak concerns three products registered as “kinosei hyoji shokuhin” (foods with function claims, or FCC) with the government, including “Benikoji coleste-help,” which were promoted for their ability to lower cholesterol levels. The FCC tag refers to food products labeled with specific health benefits based on scientific evidence.
The four deaths and more than 90 cases of hospitalization that have resulted are linked to consumption of the ingredients. These products are the subject of a recall based on the Food Sanitation Law as they are suspected of containing toxic or harmful substances.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s benikoji ingredient was also supplied to other companies and used in snacks, bread, alcohol and miso. Benikoji, which translates as “red yeast,” is made by fermenting grains such as rice or barley with Monascus purpureus, a purplish-red mold, also known as ang-khak rice mold.
Although no health issues have been reported with these other products, manufacturers are voluntarily recalling them. It is imperative to offer clear explanations about their safety and plans to deal with any potential health risks they pose.
According to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, an unexpected substance was found in some of the benikoji ingredients used in the supplements, but it has not yet been identified. Most of the cases of people falling sick occurred among individuals who consumed products produced after September last year, but it is unclear if the problem is limited to a specific time period.
The drug maker is responsible for investigating all of the facts related to the outbreak, but the government should not leave this solely to the company. It needs to get proactively involved in responding to the crisis by cooperating with national research institutions and other expert organizations.
The initial response after the matter came to light appeared to be slow and tepid. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical first became aware of the problem on Jan. 15, but did not report it to the government until March 21, the day before it was made public.
Some government officials have criticized the company for the delay in providing information. But food and drug regulators should also thoroughly verify whether there were any shortcomings in how they tried to assess the situation concerning health issues.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical manufactures and markets a wide range of health-related products, and its advertisements are frequently seen. Assuming that consumers who trusted the advertised effects and safety of “Foods with Function Claims” suffered health issues from these products, the outbreak has serious implications.
The FFC labeling system was introduced in 2015 as part of the growth strategy when Shinzo Abe was prime minister. Unlike “tokutei hokenyo shokuhin (Tokuho)” (Foods for Specified Health Uses), which require governmental review for safety and efficacy, FFC labeling only requires businesses to submit certain information for approval.
Consumption of concentrated components like supplements on a daily basis could have a more significant impact compared to regular food.
The Consumer Affairs Agency has ordered a re-examination of all 6,800 FFC-labeled products, but it is worth questioning if the current FFC labeling system, which leaves safety confirmation to businesses, is acceptable from the viewpoint of public health and whether the system itself needs reconsideration.
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 29
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Gazetteer news portal”。http://panama.downmusic.org/content-77d399850.html
Related articles
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
healthGiovanni Pernice has been dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayl ...
【health】
Read moreBiden will send Ukraine air defense weapons, artillery once Senate approves, Zelenskyy says
healthWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday the U.S ...
【health】
Read moreJailed FTX founder Sam Bankman
healthFallen cryptocurrency wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year prison senten ...
【health】
Read more
Popular articles
- 'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
- North Korean leader Kim leads rocket drills that simulate a nuclear counterattack against enemies
- Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis leaves open possibility of changes after team misses playoffs
- Pictured: Wealthy estate agent, 60, with lover, 54, he is accused of murdering at luxury five
- I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
- PEN America calls off awards ceremony amid criticism over its response to Israel
Latest articles
Here comes the char
Walz appointments give the Minnesota Supreme Court its first female majority in decades
NCAA ratifies immediate eligibility for athletes no matter how many times they switch schools
Smuggling of used cars into North Korea rises amid post
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Yangtze River Delta put into focus
LINKS
- Xi Meets Russian Federation Council Speaker
- Cold snap sweeps eastern U.S.
- Orders surge at China's small commodity hub as Paris Olympics approaches
- Highlights of Beijing 2022 Paralymic Torch Relay and Flame Lighting Ceremony
- Macron, Le Pen lead 1st round of French presidential election
- NetEase Inc renews game partnership with Blizzard
- Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to First High
- EU wind turbine subsidy probe unfair, regressive
- Nyingchi apples' first export to Nepal
- China welcomes global enterprises at consumer expo in Haikou