There is an opioid crisis raging here in Ohio and across the United States. Most of the media coverage surrounding this epidemic involves the use of prescription pain relievers given to patients who often unwittingly become addicted. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently identified a hazardous ingredient in dietary supplements that is causing a substantial amount of concern.
Kratom contains opioids and is an ingredient in certain dietary supplements. The FDA warns that consumers could become addicted to this substance as a result. As such, the agency has begun recalling products containing the substance and overseeing their destruction. At present, the recalls include products manufactured and distributed around the country by Divinity Products Distribution under the names Enhance Your Life, Divinity and Botany Bay. Other companies that use this relatively new ingredient are urged to recall their products and destroy them as well.
The FDA reports that Kratom has no medicinal use and falls under the New Dietary Ingredient Notification, requiring it to be proved safe for use. So far, the agency has found no evidence to indicate that Kratom is safe for ingestion. In addition, it warns that the compound should not be substituted for prescription opioids and not prescribed for medical conditions.
Some consumers may be aware of what Kratom is, but many are not even though they purchase products such as those identified herein. The FDA has received no adverse reports thus far, but that does not mean that some Ohio individuals have not suffered adverse effects from using products containing Kratom. If this happens, those affected may be able to seek restitution for the damage caused by this hazardous ingredient through the filing of a products liability claim.
Source: fda.gov, “FDA oversees destruction and recall of kratom products; and reiterates its concerns on risks associated with this opioid“, Accessed on March 4, 2018
