Federal authorities seize over $3 million worth of kratom products
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Northern District of Oklahoma reported on Tuesday that United States Marshals and investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seized over $3 million worth of products containing Kratom.
According to the report, more than 250,000 units of dietary supplements and bulk dietary ingredients seized were or contained kratom, including more than 1,000 kilograms of bulk kratom.
The seized kratom products were manufactured by Botanic Tonics, LLC of Broken Arrow, and are marketed under the brand name “Feel Free Plant Based Herbal Supplement.”
The articles were seized after the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tulsa filed a civil forfeiture complaint on behalf of the FDA. The complaint claimed that kratom is a new dietary ingredient without enough adequate information to provide assurance that it doesn't present a significant risk of illness or injury. The complaint also stated that dietary supplements containing kratom are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Kratom, or mitragyna speciosa, is a botanical substance that grows naturally in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
The complaint, which was filed earlier this week, claimed that the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems should raise concerns. Allegedly, the complaint claimed that consumption of kratom can lead to serious health issues such as respiratory depression, vomiting, nervousness, weight loss, and constipation.
Kratom was indicated, according to the complaint, to have both narcotic and stimulant-like effects with withdrawal symptoms including hostility, aggression, excessive tearing, aching of muscles, and jerky limb movements.
“This seizure underscores our commitment to taking aggressive action when companies distribute products that contain dangerous ingredients such as kratom that put consumers at risk,” said Judy McMeekin, PharmD, the FDA’s Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “We will continue to safeguard consumers against illegally marketed products that do not comply with FDA regulations.”
The Northern District of Oklahoma said in its report that the public was to be reminded that a complaint contains only allegations and is not evidence of liability.
To report any adverse events relating to products containing kratom, you can go online to report them to the FDA.