On January 30, 2022, the FDA issued warning letters to four sellers of kratom products because they were promoted to treat pain relief, opioid withdrawal, blood sugar control, anxiety, and to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

The FDA has previously advised consumers against using kratom, which is often promoted for pain relief and for relieving symptoms of opioid withdrawal. However, the active compounds in kratom are opioids which can have effects similar to morphine and heroin. Consumption of kratom has been associated with agitation, irritability, tachycardia, nausea, drowsiness, and hypertension. Risks of using kratom include hepatotoxicity, psychosis, seizure, weight loss, insomnia, tachycardia, vomiting, poor concentration and hallucinations. The CDC states there are at least 91 deaths associated with its use.

To see the warning letter for each product, click the link below.

• Herbsens Botanicals (Kratom Green Malay, Kratom Train wreck and others)
• Klarity Kratom (Kratom powders, capsules and shots)
• Kratom Exchange (Super Green Kratom Powder, White Maeng Da Kratom Powder and others)
• Omni Consumer Products LLC d/b/a YoKratom (Red Borneo Kratom, White Maeng Da Kratom and others)

As stated in the FDA's warnings, "the Acting Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department...has determined that a public health emergency exists nationwide involving the opioid crisis…The marketing and sale of unapproved opioid addiction treatment products is a potentially significant threat to the public health. Therefore, FDA is taking urgent measures to protect consumers from products that, without approval by FDA, claim to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure opioid addiction."

See ConsumerLab’s answer to the question: Is kratom too dangerous to use?

See related recalls and warnings:

Dangerous Levels of Lead and Nickel Found in Kratom Products

Kratom Is Dangerous and Not Proven to Treat Addiction, FDA Warns Marketers

U.S. Marshals Seize $1.3 Million Worth of Kratom

Kratom Supplements Recalled and Destroyed

FDA Urges Consumers to Avoid Kratom