Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. said it has confirmed that 4,000 more people in Japan have developed white blotches from using its recalled skin-whiteners, bringing the number of victims to 13,959.
As of Sept. 29, 4,906 people had "serious" symptoms, described as more than three blotches or blotches at least 5 cm in diameter. Of this group, 907 had particularly severe symptoms, such as white blotches over large areas, including their face or hands, Kanebo said Friday.
Another 5,946 people have less severe symptoms, while the remaining 3,107 are healing or have recovered, the company said.
Kanebo said there were 72 cases reported overseas, including in Taiwan, and warned that the number of victims may yet rise.
The products, which Kanebo recalled starting July 4, contain a substance called 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, dubbed Rhododenol.