(Bloomberg) -- Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. is investigating whether 76 people have died after ingesting its health supplements containing red yeast, a higher toll than initially reported.

Shares in the company fell 7% on Friday after the Nikkei newspaper reported concerns from Japan’s health minister. The company later confirmed the news, saying that the deaths were still under investigation after receiving 1,656 inquiries from consumers who were seen at medical facilities after falling ill.

The maker of health supplements and other drugstore products has promised to compensate customers who reported health problems after using the product made with red yeast, including medical treatment costs. The Osaka-based company expects to take an extraordinary charge of ¥3.8 billion due to the issue. Initially, Kobayashi had reported it was looking into five deaths.

Earlier this year, the company announced a recall of a cholesterol-reducing supplement using red yeast, as well as other products using the ingredient. Kobayashi, whose shares are down 23% this year, is one of Japan’s biggest makers of health products — selling everything from eye drops and skin creams to room deodorant and cotton balls. 

The company discovered puberulic acid, usually viewed as a poisonous substance, in the recalled products. Red yeast, whose scientific name is monascus purpureus, has been used for more than a millennium to make red rice wine and foods, and also as a pigment, including adding a red hue to Peking duck. Because the ingredient produces statins, which can help lower cholesterol, it’s been marketed as a health supplement. 

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