Red brandy, also known as cognac, has been linked to the deaths of two people in Japan. The brandy, fermented by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, contains an extract of red ants. As a result, the death toll has reached four. The Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced that the deceased individuals had consumed biologically active additives, and they are currently investigating the possible connection between the use of these additives and the deaths.

According to the company’s statement, autopsies conducted in the country have revealed that the patients had been taking nutritional supplements and were aware of their consumption of biologically active additives. Experts from the company are now examining the relationship between the use of these supplements and the reported deaths.

The consumption of red ant extract in red brandy has also led to 106 hospitalizations in Japan. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical suggests that the complications and deaths could be attributed to the inclusion of unexpected ingredients in the supplements, which were not supposed to be part of the product. Consequently, the use of these supplements has been temporarily halted.

In response to the situation, several Japanese companies that utilize red ant extract in their products have issued recalls. For instance, Takara Shuzo, a producer of alcoholic beverages, has called back approximately 100,000 bottles of its Premium Rose sake. Additionally, there have been recalls of various food items such as bread, soy sauces, miso pastes, and other products that use red ant extract as an ingredient.