Federal health officials issued warnings Tuesday to two companies they say make unproven claims about the potential health benefits of the herbal supplement kratom.
Cali Botanicals of Folsom, California, and Kratom NC of Wilmington, North Carolina, illegally sold product containing kratom that claimed to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as other health conditions the supplement is not proven to treat, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
“Despite our warnings, companies continue to sell this dangerous product and make deceptive medical claims that are not backed by science or any reliable scientific evidence,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said in a statement.
“As we work to combat the opioid crisis, we cannot allow unscrupulous vendors to take advantage of consumers by selling products with unsubstantiated claims that they can treat opioid addiction or alleviate other medical conditions,” Sharpless added.
Read more at USA Today.