FDA forces rare mandatory recall for kratom due to salmonella risk

The Food and Drug Administration issued a mandatory recall order for all food products with powdered kratom due to salmonella concerns. The agency says it's the first time it has ever forced such a recall because a company failed to follow a voluntary recall order.

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Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia sold in capsules and powders. It has gained popularity in the U.S. as an alternative treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence, as well as an opioid substitute, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The FDA has warned against kratom use in the past and recently issued a voluntary recall after some samples were found to be contaminated with salmonella and left 87 people in 35 states ill.

Tuesday’s mandatory recall affects products manufactured, processed, packed or held by Las Vegas-based Triangle Pharmanaturals, LLC, which failed to address the voluntary recall and even denied the FDA access to company records relating to potentially affected products.

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As of April 2, the FDA and state partners have tested multiple kratom products, and 26 different products were positive for salmonella.

“The FDA is advising consumers to discard the products that are part of the mandatory recall, which include, but are not limited to: Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Emerald Green, Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Ivory White, and Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Ruby Red,” the FDA said.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that people not consume "any brand of kratom in any form because it could be contaminated with salmonella."

Both the CDC and FDA are currently working with state and local officials to investigate the outbreak of salmonella infections linked to kratom products.

Read the full announcement at fda.gov.