Japan should strengthen regulation of self-proclaimed health foods: medical professional

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The deadly distribution of a tainted food suppliment in Japan highlights the need to improve oversight on foods that make claims about health benifets, said a Japanese healthcare expert.

Last month, deaths were linked to a suppliment product called Beni-koji Choleste Help, which contains red yeast rice, or beni-koji, produced by the Japanese drug maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical. The product has resulted in at least five deaths and 226 hospitalizations, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Following a product recall, the public in the country began questioning the efficacy of the "foods with function claims" system. Launched in 2015, this regulatory system allows companies to make claims about the health benifets of their food products.

The company received the first report of suspected health issues related to the consumption of health products containing red yeast rice components on Jan 15 this year. However, it was not until over two months later that they publicly disclosed the issue, recalled the products, and reported to the external directors.

Shinoda Toshio, a supervisor at the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, said Kobayashi Pharmaceutical should take the blame for not acting swiftly when it discovered a possible issue with its products.

"(Kobayashi Pharmaceutical) should have reported the issue to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as soon as they noticed it, as well as to the Consumer Affairs Agency, which is their direct competent authority. Furthermore, when identifying a problem that could endanger customers' health, they should promptly engage in discussions with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to devise countermeasures. I believe (Kobayashi Pharmaceutical) should take the blame for not acting swiftly to implement measures," Shinoda said. 

A highly toxic product known as puberulic acid, derived from blue mold, has been detected in the company's product manufactured at Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Osaka factory, which shut down in December 2023, according to the health ministry and the company.

"Puberulic acid is generated by a type of mold known as blue mold, which might have inadvertently infiltrated the production process at the Osaka factory. Reports indicate that the closed Osaka factory experienced flooding, potentially fostering the growth of blue mold during the period corresponding to the appearance of the puberulic acid. Consequently, health care products manufactured during this period contained puberulic acid, which likely contributed to the health issue, though this is not yet confirmed as the definitive conclusion," he said.

The health professional warned that if the government fails to strengthen the management of foods labeled as functional, similar incidents could occur.

"Regarding the generation of foreign substances in the food, I believe that pharmaceutical production processes are subject to rigorous management. However, the production processes of functional foods are not as stringent, hence it is plausible that similar problems may arise in other functional foods in the future," he said.

Japan should strengthen regulation of self-proclaimed health foods: medical professional

The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.

During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.

The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.

David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.

"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.

Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.

The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.

"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.

Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.

"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.

Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange