"There is no record of announcing puberulic acid as the cause of health damage" - MHLW (Document disclosed April 22, 2026)

[Panel 1] MHLW Announcement (Not a Press Conference) [Panel 2] Questioner's Doubts

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) identified puberulic acid as the cause of health damage from red yeast rice supplements in 2024. However, in a document disclosed on April 22, 2026, they responded, "There is no record of announcing this fact." Despite pointing out the contradiction, no explanation was provided, nor was a response received.

Background

On April 22, 2026, the MHLW issued a disclosure document in response to an information disclosure request. It clearly stated, "There is no record of announcing puberulic acid as the cause of health damage." On May 15, 2026, a call was made to the Food Safety Division of the MHLW. Although the contradiction with past announcements was pointed out, the person in charge insisted, "There is no record of announcing this fact," and offered no specific explanation.

On May 15, 2026, a call was made to the Food Safety Division of the MHLW. Although the contradiction with past announcements was pointed out, the person in charge insisted, "There is no record of announcing this fact," and offered no specific explanation.

[Panel 3] Pressing Questions [Panel 4] Silence

Summary It has been confirmed that the Osaka City Health Department did not collect red yeast rice products (for administrative testing). Furthermore, we have obtained disclosure documents indicating that the MHLW has no administrative documents regarding the receipt of samples.

Despite repeated inquiries about these discrepancies, we have received no response. (No response)

4-Panel Summary

▼ This release is the 100th in a series of press releases issued since March 10, 2026.

1 Scientific challenge to Tokyo University of Science's puberulic acid research (March 10, 2026) / 2 Confirmation that Osaka City Health Department did not collect samples (March 12, 2026) / 3-5 Unclear basis for puberulic acid (March 13-17, 2026) / 6 Inquiry to 10 major media organizations (March 18, 2026) / 7 Submission of criminal complaint (March 19, 2026) / 15 Decisive evidence: Testing of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's samples with Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's standard substance (March 31, 2026) / 34, 35 Can the administration truly identify puberulic acid? (April 21-22, 2026) / 36 No administrative records for puberulic acid - 5 organizations' documents non-existent (April 28, 2026) / 37 Petition sent to the Speakers of both Houses of the Diet and 5 other members of the Diet (April 28, 2026) / 38 Opinion on Asahi Shimbun's report (April 29, 2026)

All releases in the series are available at https://kunsei.com/archives/category/benikoji

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Kunsei Club Co., Ltd.

Representative: Masao Mori, Representative Director and Pharmacist

Location: 611-1 Maegata, Hayashima-cho, Tsukubo-gun, Okayama, 701-0303

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of ham and sausage

Contact: [email protected]