Kratom Products Recalled Amid Salmonella Concerns

 Posted on March 31, 2018 in Food Poisoning

In March 2018, PDX Aromatics recalled many of its kratom products amid concerns that the products could be contaminated with Salmonella. These products include white vein powder products, capsule products, and red vein powder products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a comprehensive list of all the products recalled and their lot numbers to its website.

Food poisoning does not always come from food. In this case, consumers of an alternative medicine product faced a risk of contracting Salmonella poisoning. It is an herbal drug taken from Mitragyna speciosa, a species of evergreen tree in the coffee family. Kratom is usually sold and consumed in its powder form, which can be swallowed in capsules or made into a paste to be taken with water.

What Does Kratom do?

Although kratom has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries, many Americans are unaware of its use or benefits. Kratom is a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at high doses. It can be used as a painkiller and an aid in recovery from opioid recovery. It can also put the user into a dreamlike or euphoric state. Although kratom is legal to purchase and consume in the United States, it is banned in many other countries, such as Thailand and Australia.

Handling Potentially Contaminated Kratom Products

PDX Aromatics recommended that any consumers with packages of the recalled products seal them tightly in plastic, then throw them in the trash. Alternatively, consumers can return the products to the retailers where they purchased them to receive refunds. Under no circumstance should an individual consume kratom products from the recalled batch.

Although healthy adults typically recover from Salmonella poisoning within a few days, elderly individuals, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems can suffer severe symptoms for a longer period of time. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include:

• Fatigue;
• Fever;
• Diarrhea; and
• Loss of appetite.

If you experience these symptoms after consuming one of the recalled kratom products, pay close attention to them and seek medical attention if they become severe. Document the date you used the kratom, the symptoms you experienced, and if possible, keep the packaging the kratom came in. If you choose to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages, the packaging and your notes are important pieces of evidence you can use to support your claim.

Work with an Experienced Itasca Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you became ill after consuming a food or medicine product that was contaminated with harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E.Coli, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages if the illness occurred because another party, such as the product's manufacturer or seller, permitted the contamination to occur through their negligence. To learn more, schedule your initial consultation with our team of food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Shane Rounce)