FDA Says Kratom Not Worth the Risk
Public health officials believe that the issue with this product and Salmonella has been occurring for some time and is ongoing. Their conclusion from the investigation of this outbreak is “anyone consuming kratom may be placing themselves at significant risk of being exposed to Salmonella.”
Kratom is not legally marketed as a drug or dietary supplement in the United States. It is an opioid, addictive, and has been “linked to severe health consequences and deaths among users.”
Samples of the dietary supplement were collected from patients sickened in this outbreak. Different strains of Salmonella bacteria were found in these products. Recalls were issued – but one company refused to recall their products, and the FDA issued their first mandatory recall order to one supplier.
The FDA report states, “Although these samples were not randomly collected but instead were tested because they were either consumed by, or mentioned by, ill persons, the more than 50 percent contamination rate is stunningly high. It represents a level rarely seen in outbreak investigations of this nature. It shows that a high proportion of kratom being shipped into the United States may be contaminated with Salmonella.”
