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STORY: A Japanese firm has been ordered to recall dietary supplement pills after deaths among users.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said it was bringing back several products to avoid further harm.

All contain red yeast rice, or “beni koji”.

It contains a mold said to help lower cholesterol, but also used as colouring.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government was closely monitoring the numbers of those affected:

"We have been made aware of a further fatal event concerning products containing beni koji manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, bringing the total deaths to two, as well as 106 related hospitalizations.”

Local media reports say online sales of the affected Kobayashi products have also been halted in China and Taiwan.

The Osaka-based firm says it is investigating whether the products caused kidney damage.

It has urged 52 other firms to recall products including tofu that contain beni koji that it supplied.

Shares in the firm are down 20% since Friday, when it first did a voluntary recall.