photo: Pain Doctors
Boise (670 KBOI News) – If you’ve never heard of kratom, you’re not alone. But it’s the subject of an FDA recall, because it’s believed to be tainted with salmonella.
Niki Forbing-Orr with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says it’s made more than 130 people sick nationwide, including eight here in Idaho.
“Idaho public health officials are warning Idahoans to avoid eating or drinking products that contain a substance called kratom, because it could be contaminated with salmonella,” said Forbing-Orr. “This is a national outbreak, more than 130 people, from 38 states, have been infected with salmonella, linked to the consumption of kratom.”
Kratom is a leaf from Southeast Asia, that can produce a high, but most people say it gives them an energy boost, and more mental focus. The DEA has been considering making it a scheduled drug for a couple of years now, but as yet, it’s still available over the counter.
Salmonella is rarely fatal, but it causes diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and general abdominal misery for a few days, up to a week.
Viable Solutions, in Nampa, has issued its own recall for kratom products, according to the Idaho Statesman.
