Health Damage Linked to Puberulic Acid in Beni Koji

Japan’s health ministry has revealed that puberulic ⁢acid, found in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s supplements containing “beni koji” red fermented rice, ‍is responsible for kidney damage. The ministry conducted investigations alongside the National Institute of Health Sciences ​to determine​ the cause of the health issues associated with ⁣these supplements. While no kidney toxicity was observed in animal experiments involving the other ‍two chemical compounds detected in the supplements, puberulic acid was found to have ⁤necrotizing effects on certain parts of the kidneys. The ministry also stated that all three compounds are ⁤believed to have been formed through blue mold, and it is possible that the ⁢two substances other than ​puberulic‌ acid are unknown⁢ compounds.