Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi suspected in deaths of 81 people

According to Asahi TV, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has confirmed that five more deaths have been linked to the consumption of red yeast rice supplements produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., bringing the total number of related fatalities to 81.

The pharmaceutical company has also received 198 inquiries from the families of deceased consumers.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. announced an emergency recall of three red yeast rice supplement products in March.

The company suggested that the unintentional inclusion of mold might have caused the issue, though the specific contaminant has not yet been identified.