A Taiwanese consumer organization has filed a lawsuit against Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, located in Osaka, seeking damages for health problems allegedly brought on by its beni kōji red fermented rice products.

The organization has sued six companies, including a Taiwanese branch of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and a Taiwanese importer, in the Taipei District Court, claiming that 55 persons had suffered damages totalling 168 million New Taiwan dollars (about 5 million euros). The group claims that the majority of the 55 individuals exhibit signs of kidney disease, and several are undergoing dialysis.

People who took supplements from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical that they bought in Japan and others who took products created by a Taiwanese business that contained beni kōji from the Japanese company have both experienced health issues in Taiwan. According to Taiwanese health officials, there were 69 reported cases of this nature by 20 September.

The Japanese health ministry announced on 18 September that puberulic acid, which is generated by blue mold, is responsible for the kidney problems experienced by users of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s beni kōji supplements.