KRATOM “Feel Free Plant Based Herbal Supplement” BREAKING NEWS – SEIZED BY AUTHORITIES May 5, 2023
RELEVANT TODAY
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the United States Marshals, acting with investigators from the FDA, seized nearly 250,000 bottles of liquid product containing kratom, 1.0 tank of liquid product containing kratom, more than 1,200 cartons of capsules containing kratom, and over 1000 kilograms of bulk powder kratom.
The seized articles containing kratom were manufactured by Botanic Tonics, LLC of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and are marketed under the brand name “Feel Free Plant Based Herbal Supplement.” The seized products are estimated to be worth more than $3 Million.
The bulk kratom and articles containing kratom were seized after the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma filed a civil forfeiture complaint on behalf of the FDA.
The complaint alleges that kratom is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that it does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury. The complaint further states that dietary supplements containing kratom are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
HIH NCCIH: “(Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree in the coffee family, found in Thailand and neighboring countries. Traditionally, in Southeast Asia, people have chewed its leaves or made them into a tea that is used to fight fatigue and improve work productivity. Kratom has also traditionally been used during religious ceremonies and to treat symptoms such as pain and diarrhea, sometimes as a substitute for opium.
Two compounds from kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, interact with opioid receptors in the brain. People who use kratom have reported both stimulant-like effects (increased energy, alertness, rapid heart rate) and effects like those of opioids and sedatives (relaxation, pain relief, confusion).
Some people in Western countries use kratom to try to treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Research on kratom is in its early stages. Much remains to be learned about the short- and long-term effects of kratom in the body, its safety, and whether it may have therapeutic uses.”
There are no uses for kratom approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the FDA has warned consumers not to use kratom products because of potential adverse effects.
Kratom products may contain harmful contaminants.
Adverse effects range from mild to severe.
A very small number of deaths have been linked to kratom products compared to deaths from other drugs.
Drug interactions may influence effects.
Long-term health and safety effects are not well understood.
Effects on pregnancy are not well understood.
The safety effects of intoxication are not well understood.