Japanese health supplement maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said on Friday it was probing 76 more deaths possibly linked to its tablets containing red yeast rice, or "Benikoji", meant to lower cholesterol. 

"We have received 1,656 inquiries from individuals who have sought medical attention, and have 76 cases under investigation over (a causal) connection to the deaths," it said.

Previously, five deaths were officially registered at Japan's health ministry related to the health supplement.

Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has been under fire for not going public quickly with problems known internally as early as January. The first public announcement came on March 22. 

(With input from AFP)