Japan firm says probing 76 more deaths in supplement scare

Benikoji CholesteHelp supplements containing "beni-koji," produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a major Japanese drug maker, are pictured in Osaka on April 4, 2024. /CFP

Japanese health supplement maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said on Friday it was probing 76 more deaths possibly linked to its tablets containing red yeast rice, or "Benikoji", meant to lower cholesterol.