American Kratom Association Consumer Alert on Adulterated Kratom Products FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. - April 10, 2019 – The American Kratom Association (AKA) is warning consumers not to purchase or use kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) products that contain concentrated, purified, or synthetically enhanced alkaloids (mitragynine (MG) or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG)). In addition, the AKA urges consumers to not use kratom products with alkaloid content that exceeds the proportion of the alkaloid content that is present in the natural plant. AKA is specifically concerned about reports that kratom vendors are marketing products claiming to offer higher levels of 7-HMG that produce enhanced effects over natural leaf kratom products. AKA is aggressively promoting a Kratom Consumer Protection Act in numerous states around the country expressly to prohibit the marketing of kratom products that are formulated with enhanced alkaloid content that is greater than the proportion of the alkaloids that occur in the natural plant; synthetic alkaloids; or any kratom product that does not disclose the alkaloid content on the product’s label or package. Marketing of kratom products that attempt to convince a consumer that they should purchase a specific kratom product versus a competitor’s product based on a higher concentrations of MG or 7-HMG, and making claims of “strength” based on the “massive concentration” of the alkaloids and the enhanced “effects” of their product, is of significant concern to the AKA and consumers are strongly advised to avoid such products. The AKA supports conclusions by independent research that the artificially elevated concentrations of 7-HMG that are higher than those found in raw M. speciosa leaves, found in some commercially available products exceeding naturally occurring material by up to 500%, are by definition dangerous adulterated products and should be removed from the market. If such product manufacturers seek market entry of such products that artificially enhance the alkaloids and their effects, they should submit applications to the FDA for a new dietary ingredient (NDI) approval prior to marketing such products. AKA will insist on strict compliance by all kratom vendors who have elected to participate in the AKA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Program that is designed to provide consumers with access to products that are manufactured according to prevailing FDA standards for dietary ingredients. Kratom consumers are advised to carefully review marketing claims, product content labeling, and particularly purchase and use only kratom products that limit MG and 7-HMG to the proportion of the alkaloid content that is present in the natural plant. ABOUT AKA The American Kratom Association (AKA), a consumer-based non-profit organization, advocates to protect the freedom of consumers to safely consume natural kratom as a part of their personal health and well-being regimen. AKA represents the nearly 5 million Americans who consume kratom safely each year. www.americankratom.org

