The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its first ever mandatory recall for contaminated food, targeting kratom supplements that were found to contain salmonella bacteria.
Specifically, the mandatory recall order involves all kratom products by Triangle Pharmanaturals, after the Las Vegas-based company failed to cooperate with the FDA and refused to launch a voluntary recall.
FDA Issues Mandatory Recall Order For Kratom Supplements
On April 2, the FDA issued a mandatory recall order for all food products by Triangle Pharmanaturals containing powdered kratom. The products include, but are not limited to the Emerald Green, Ivory White, and Ruby Red variants of the company's Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom supplements.
According to the FDA, this is the first time that it has used its mandatory recall power on a food product. While the FDA does not have the power to order mandatory recalls for drugs, dietary supplements are considered food products under federal law. Under the Food Safety and Modernization Act that was passed in 2011, the FDA has the authority to issue a mandatory recall for contaminated foods, and Triangle Pharmanaturals is now the first company to be served with the order.
Kratom Supplements Lined To Salmonella
In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked unregulated kratom supplements to salmonella outbreaks across 20 states. As the number of salmonella cases linked to kratom products increased, the CDC further advised consumers to avoid taking the supplements.
The FDA previously issued a large voluntary recall notice for kratom supplements and razed the products, after samples of the products were found to be contaminated with salmonella, infecting 87 people. The FDA, however, noted that the salmonella found in the Triangle Pharmanaturals products were not related to the outbreaks being monitored by the CDC. However, the presence of the bacteria in the supplements still warrants the recall.
Are Kratom Pills Safe?
The mandatory recall order on kratom supplements is the latest development on the controversy surrounding the herb.
While advocates believe in kratom supplements as an alternative to pain relievers, the FDA has previously issued a public warning against the products. According to the FDA's own research, the effects of kratom compounds on the human body are the same as the effects of opioids. Meanwhile, other studies have found that regular consumption of kratom products may lead to drug dependence, along with other side effects such as appetite loss, weight loss, and even anorexia.
With the connection of kratom supplements to opioids and salmonella, consumers are recommended to steer clear of the products.
