Red yeast rice scare: Thai FDA ensures public protection

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that red yeast rice supplements linked to a shocking number of deaths in Japan have not entered the Thai market. This announcement follows Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co’s revelation that it is investigating an additional 76 deaths potentially connected to its benikoji (red rice tablets).

The health scare began in March when Kobayashi recalled its red rice tablets supplements after 114 users were hospitalised and five fatalities were reported. These tablets, marketed for their cholesterol-lowering properties, have been implicated in causing severe kidney problems. Citrinin, a toxin associated with red yeast rice production, can lead to liver damage and kidney failure.

Thai FDA Deputy Secretary-General Lertchai Lertvut emphasised the safety of red yeast rice supplements, provided that they meet stringent regulatory limits: a daily monacolin content not exceeding 3 milligrammes and citrinin levels kept below 10.7 microgrammes.

Lertchai offered crucial advice for those considering red yeast rice supplements:

• Adhere to the specified dose.
• Avoid use if pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from liver or kidney disease.
• Steer clear if taking anti-cholesterol drugs like statins, immunosuppressants, antidepressants, or antiretrovirals for HIV/Aids.
• Limit consumption to a maximum of four consecutive months.
• Consult a healthcare professional before starting the supplement.
• Discontinue use immediately if muscle aches or flu-like symptoms appear.

Lertchai also highlighted that Japanese cholesterol-lowering supplements are not bound by Thailand’s stringent monacolin limits. Thus, the Thai FDA has prohibited the distribution of these potentially dangerous products in Thailand, ensuring the public remains safe from this alarming health threat, reported The Nation.

In related news, to safeguard public health, officials from the Public Health Department conducted a meticulous food sanitation inspection on Rong Po Market, North Pattaya.

In other news, Thai police cracked down on a dietary supplement company for falsely advertising health benefits, using celebrities as endorsers, and selling products worth over 7 million baht in a significant consumer protection case.