Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says prior to investigating a "large outbreak of salmonellosis," FDA determined there are no proven medical uses for kratom and that it is inherently addictive and can cause harm. "The subsequent findings of this investigation only strengthen that public health recommendation. … Now, in addition to those risks, we can conclude that there may be a high proportion of kratom and kratom-containing products contaminated with salmonella," he says.
The link between kratom and salmonella is more widespread than FDA previously suspected, prompting the agency to warn that consumers using the botanical in dietary supplements or other products "may be placing themselves at a significant risk of being exposed to" the contaminant.
When FDA on July 2 announced it has ended its investigation of a "large outbreak of salmonellosis" linked to kratom,...