Concerns Raised Over Lack of Scientific Evidence on Pubrel Acid by Japanese Health Ministry

Concerns Raised Over Lack of Scientific Evidence on Pubrel Acid

In a noteworthy development, the Kousei Roudou Ministry of Japan has officially responded to Kunsei Club, a food manufacturing company based in Okayama Prefecture, regarding an inquiry about the presence of pubrel acid in red koji. On August 5, 2023, Kunsei Club's representative, pharmacist Masaaki Mori, received a notification on the decision of their administrative document disclosure request. This request, identified as administrative document request number 495, was made on June 7, 2023.

According to the notification issued on July 31, 2023, the Ministry admitted to owning certain documents related to health risks associated with red koji but explicitly denied having any scientific documents that would support claims about the presence of pubrel acid in targeted red koji ingredients. Specifically, the Ministry stated that they had no actual documents or reports that substantiate previous claims made regarding pubrel acid, referencing legal provisions that allow for the non-disclosure of such information.

Details of the Disclosure Request

Kunsei Club's request included two specific points:
1. Scientific evidence indicating the presence of pubrel acid in 'Koji Cholesterol Help' products, including any documents connected to such evidence held by the Ministry.
2. Comprehensive disclosure of documents substantiating the identification of pubrel acid, enabling independent verification by scientists worldwide.

While parts of the requested materials related to the analysis of health risks will be disclosed, the core requests regarding pubrel acid and related documentation were denied based on the Ministry's clarification that no such information exists.