GMP

Good Manufacturing Practices Matter: Why We Take GMP Seriously

by

In every industry, there is an expected standard for safety, manufacturing, and consumer knowledge. For food products, for example, manufacturers must meet health codes and label all products properly before the consumer ever sees them.

In the kratom industry, however, such standards are still being established. Without strict regulation or rules due to the precarious legal status of kratom in some states, some vendors and producers are not being monitored in any way. This leaves consumers at risk, and that’s not okay.

The American Kratom Association has stepped up to the plate to create the GMP Compliance Program, also known as Good Manufacturing Practices. These industry standards are meant to protect kratom consumers, and we can’t wait to see them take effect on a larger scale.

Banner For Shopping

Introducing The American Kratom Association

Before we get into the specifics of how good manufacturing practices make a difference, let’s introduce some information that you should know about the American Kratom Association. Also known as AKA, this association has committed itself to ensure that kratom consumers and vendors are legally protected.

This means that the nonprofit organization wears a lot of different hats while working, but the main goals that they have set out to accomplish are as follows:

  • • Support customers
  • • Educate politicians, vendors, and consumers
  • • Amplify the voices of kratom lovers everywhere
  • • Raise global awareness of safe and practical kratom information
  • • Protect natural kratom resources

The work that we have seen American Kratom Association do is absolutely amazing. They make a real difference in the way that people can use and access Kratom. For example, they’ve spent a lot of time in the last three years helping to pass legal regulations and protections for kratom consumption in various states.

Our Involvement With AKA

We find that the work the American Kratom Association is doing is essential. Inspired by their mission and messages, we’ve taken a lot of time to ensure that we are doing our part to educate our consumers.

These blog posts, for example, are just one way that we are trying to make information about kratom, how it is used, and what is going on behind-the-scenes in the industry more accessible to anyone who is curious. We hope that consumers like you find these pieces to be useful for your own educational purposes.

Another way that we are keeping up with AKA’s practices is by joining their GMP program. GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, are generally standard practices used in specific industries to ensure that all products that make it to consumers are safe and legal. 

These standards did not officially exist in the kratom industry, so AKA has set out to change that. Since AKA created its GMP program, many vendors have taken the time to improve their practices and follow the new industry standard. Some states have even adopted a variation of the GMP rules as official legal regulatory guidelines for kratom in that state.

GMP: Good Manufacturing Practices

What exactly are the Good Manufacturing Practices that the American Kratom Association asks of any vendors who want to be recognized as GMP-compliant? By understanding what these measures are, you’ll gain a better idea of the industry.

The GMP Program

Kratom products are sold as food products, so the only legal requirements placed on them by the federal government are the basic rules set by the FDA. The American Kratom Associate researched what needed to be done for manufacturing, labeling, and verification requirements that go above and beyond what the FDA has in place.

Specifically, the vendors that want to be GMP-compliant must pay attention to the following:

  • • Annual 3rd party audit to ensure all procedures are being followed
  • • Proper personnel training
  • • Clean, sanitary, and functioning equipment
  • • Random sampling for pathogens or contamination
  • • Proper procedures for all aspects of receiving and monitoring supplies
  • • Proper recordkeeping
  • • Manufacturing records according to the AKA’s outline
  • • Keeping thorough batch records
  • • Appropriate quality control standards
  • • Establish and follow a reporting system for any discovered problems
  • • Proper labeling and advertising

The complete guidelines laid out by AKA are thorough, and the yearly audit completed by a third-party carefully ensures that the vendor is following them. If a vendor misses their audit period, they will have to improve their standards and reapply in the future for AKA to consider their reinitiation into the program.

What We’re Doing

We’ve posted before about our efforts to follow these standards. While we are officially recognized by AKA as a GMP-qualified vendor, we are still constantly striving to improve our manufacturing practices.

A few things that we are always doing include:

  • • Finding new ways to test for potential pathogens
  • • Revamping our sanitation controls and procedures
  • • Screening our supplier and products
  • • Testing more accurately
  • • Testing more comprehensively

Everything that AKA suggests that we do, we do our best to implement as quickly and effectively as possible. AKA has done a lot of work to figure out what needs to be done to maintain the safety of kratom, and we appreciate that. The very least that we can do is make sure that we follow their great example!

Banner For Shopping

Why You Should Care About Quality Control

You might be wondering why we think you care about quality control, and the answer is pretty simple. You should care!

When you use kratom, the product can have some very real effects on your life and body. If you were to be sold contaminated kratom or something that isn’t what it says it is, wouldn’t you be upset? By supporting companies that have good manufacturing practices in place or only buying from those that are AKA GMP compliant, you are protecting yourself.

That’s not the only reason to care about GMP-compliance, either. There have been a few instances of contaminated kratom causing problems for users in the past, and we want to avoid repeating those situations at all costs.

Vendor-focused programs like the GMP programs help to ensure that consumers are protected at the legal level as well. If there are no contamination incidents, such incidents cannot be used to change the laws about kratom. And that is key to protecting the future of the kratom industry!

AKA, LCK, and Compliance: What We Think You Should Know

by

If you were to open up a newspaper right now or watch the local news, the chances are pretty high that you would see a story about a company causing problems with untested or fake products. We see it everywhere, and it can make consumers very wary of buying from anyone.

It’s scary, really, to think that you could be buying things without even truly knowing what is in them. 

In the kratom industry, this problem is just as prevalent, and that is why we find the work that the American Kratom Association is doing so important. Today, we’re going to discuss AKA, their compliance programs, and what our role in the future of kratom’s safety is.

Banner For Shopping

All About The American Kratom Association

Have you heard about the American Kratom Association? If not, it’s time that you learned more about this group, their mission, and how they have already made a difference in your life!

What is AKA?

AKA, also known as the American Kratom Association, is a kratom advocacy nonprofit organization that works to standardize kratom manufacturing procedures, protect consumers, and improve the regulatory laws that affect the industry as a whole.

AKA’s Mission

The mission of the American Kratom Association is pretty simple. Here’s what they want to do:

“Make natural kratom safe and to keep it available for millions of Americans who use it for health and wellness; manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers whose livelihoods depend on a safe and robust market; and for scientific and research communities that are actively exploring its potential.”

There are a few specific ways that AKA works to do these things. They work with politicians, vendors, consumers, suppliers, shop owners, and more. Realistically, they have become involved at nearly every stage of kratom production and sales to ensure that consumers may continue to safely and confidently use kratom.

AKA Victories

If you’ve ever used kratom before, there is a good chance that work done by the American Kratom Association has already had a positive effect on your life. The organization has been working at every turn for years to ensure that kratom lovers like you can continue to use kratom safely and legally.

While they have had a lot of different victories, these are a few key accomplishments by AKA that have found to be the most inspiring:

These are just a few of the many things that the American Kratom Association has done to help protect the availability and quality of Kratom. In the future, there will be more and more updates to check out from their hard work! 

AKA Science

Another cool thing that AKA puts a lot of money and time into is researching the science of kratom. One of the biggest complaints or points made about kratom when it is being discussed in the political arena is the lack of solid scientific proof for or against its effects.

The existing science doesn’t say it is truly dangerous, but it doesn’t say it is fully safe, either. AKA wants kratom users to be able to know for sure what the risks, potential benefits, and chemicals involved in kratom, and that is why they have put a lot of effort into deep-diving into the science of kratom.

GMP Compliance Program

One of the victories we mentioned above is AKA’s Good Manufacturing Practices program, also known as the GMP compliance program. This program helps to certify that kratom vendors are following complete and thorough safety procedures with all of their products.

To remain in the program, vendors initially accepted must complete a yearly audit with a third-party tester. This auditor ensures that all of the proper procedures are being followed so that consumers are only sold safe and well-tested kratom.

We’re proud to be part of AKA’s GMP compliance program.

We Have A Big Role To Play

Here at Left Coat Kratom, we know that we have a big role to play in the future of kratom. Every day, we connect with customers when we sell our kratom and other products. Every week, people visit our website to learn more about how kratom is manufactured and everything else there is to know about it.

As a reputable vendor, it’s up to us to help support the good name that AKA is helping to build for kratom. We want our consumers to be able to safely and legally use kratom, and we want to ensure that our products are the best that they can possibly be.

With these thoughts in mind, we’ve made it a big part of our mission to ensure we are following AKA’s GMP compliance standards and staying up-to-date with all of their news about kratom. When we can, we even help support their cases in various states to protect kratom’s legal status.

We have a big role to play – and we’re ready to help!

What You Can Do To Help

We’re not the only ones who can make a difference in the future of kratom, however. You, too, can be a key player in how kratom will be used, viewed, and accepted in years to come. While it can be overwhelming to think about becoming an active advocate, your involvement doesn’t have to be that extreme.

In fact, there are a lot of simple things that you can do to make a difference:

  • • Donate to AKA – funding them funds the future of kratom.
  • • Purchase from GMP-qualified vendors – supporting them supports quality.
  • • Get involved locally – visit local shops that sell kratom and see what they need help advocating for.
  • • Support kratom laws – regulatory laws protect consumers like you; show your support for them to make a change.

As you can see, it’s pretty easy to get involved in supporting the kratom industry. It’s in your best interest to seek safe kratom that comes from a vendor that focuses on quality control. We hope that you’ll consider that as you do your future kratom shopping.

Why Left Coast Kratom Thinks The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Matters!

by

Have you heard of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act before?

If not, it’s time for you to learn more about the interesting laws regarding Kratom that are going into effect around the USA. At this time, the legal status of Kratom in the US is under constant strain. Due to conflicting messages and exaggerated claims, many people have been falsely convinced that Kratom is not safe.

We, however, now that Kratom can be a safe product to keep on the market as long as companies that sell it are kept in check. For that reason, we know that policies like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act are so important.

Today, we’d love to share with you more about this act, which states have adopted and implemented this law, and how you can join up with advocacy efforts to ensure that Kratom consumers like you are able to legally and safely continue to enjoy Kratom for years to come!

All About The Consumer Protection Act

Let’s start by learning about what the Kratom Consumer Protection Act actually is! Before you can understand why we need it and where it is already in place, understanding just what the act says will give you a great base understanding of the issues that Kratom vendors and consumers are facing.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act was originally created and proposed by the American Kratom Association. Their goal in creating this piece of model legislation was to set up a precedent for the types of guidelines that should exist in the Kratom industry.

Specifically, the act was created to help ensure that consumers can legally and safely buy Kratom. In addition to regulating the sale of Kratom, the model bill is meant to regulate the quality of Kratom as well to prevent any dangerous or adulterated Kratom from ever reaching the market.

As mentioned, the document that AKA created is known as a piece of model legislation. This means that is a set of guidelines that they suggest states pass, but the individual Kratom Protection Acts that are being passed in some states all have their own specific terms. Generally, however, they follow the model that was presented first by AKA.

The main points that most of the Protection Acts include are as follows:

  • • Define what Kratom is
  • • Require specific labeling of Kratom products by all sellers
  • • Prevent the sale of Kratom products that are known to be dangerous
  • • Ensure that the Department of Agriculture and Food in each state will create and enforce safety standards for the production and sale of Kratom

The overarching goal of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is to ensure that consumers are not put at risk, physically or legally, by buying Kratom. 

Banner For Shopping

Why We Need A Protection Act

You might be wondering why an act like this is possible and why we, a business, would want more regulation.

The simple fact is that the free-for-all state of the Kratom industry was causing more harm than good. While it might be nice in some instances to be able to sell anything that you want in any way, doing that is not great for the consumer or for the stability of the industry.

A lot of the general public views Kratom as a dangerous and out-of-control substance, and that is because of unsafe Kratom that has been sold to consumers. These unsafe and adulterated products put people at risk. 

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we never want to see something like that happen to our customers. While we do our best to keep our products safe, we believe that the entire industry needs a set of guidelines and rules to follow to ensure that consumers are safe no matter which vendor they decide to buy from.

AKA’s Work: Where Protection Has Been Passed

As mentioned previously, AKA has been working very hard on their plan to have Kratom Consumer Protection Acts passed in every state in the US. While they aren’t yet to that point, there are a number of states where some variation of the original model act has been implemented.

Utah

Utah was the first state to pass a law about Kratom! The law passed on March 26, 2019, and it outlines very specific protections for consumers. Overall, the final bill in Utah reads very similar to the one created by AKA.

Georgia

On April 27th, 2019, Georgia passed its version of the Consumer Protection Act. This specific version differs a little bit from that of AKA, but it was adapted in the state very quickly.

Arizona

Their AKA-inspired Consumer Protection Act for Kratom users was passed onMay 1st, 2019. 

Oregon

Oregon has yet to pass the bill completely, but it has been approved by the state senate judiciary. Once the house votes on the bill, we believe it will be passed!

Nevada

Nevada became the 4th state in the US to pass a Kratom Consumer Protection Act not long ago!

Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

There is legislation in the works in all of these states to help protect Kratom consumers. While AKA is fighting potential Kratom bans in Mississippi and Ohio, the work they are doing in Pennsylvania and Louisana is looking to have more positive outcomes in terms of a Consumer Protection Act at this time.

Your State?

If you didn’t see your state’s name on this list yet, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some type of work being done to protect Kratom’s status and consumers in your area. Check out the updates page on AKA’s website and their advocacy toolkit to find the best ways to get involved in protecting the future of Kratom in this country!

The KCPA Really Matters

Kratom is at a precarious turning point in America. The FDA has taken a strong anti-Kratom position due to the lack of strong scientific evidence to prove that Kratom is a safe botanical. One of the best ways that this can be combated is through the KCPA, and that is why we want everyone to do their part in supporting it!

Kratom Lab Testing: Why You Should Care If It’s Being Done

by

As we go about our daily lives, there are a lot of different things that get tested before we use them. Cars and buses go through rigorous safety tests before they can hit the roads. Facilities that process produce must ensure their safety, and restaurants have to pass regular cleanliness tests to be permitted to serve food.

Testing products that we are eating is one of the most important things that we rely on companies to do. When we buy something at a store, we feel safe. We trust that the item has been handled appropriately, and we feel that it is safe to eat.

Why would we feel any differently about Kratom?

Like other substances that are ingested, Kratom is going into your body and can thus have very serious effects on your body. While uncontaminated Kratom is unlikely to cause any big problems, contaminated Kratom can cause serious shock and illness.

So what can be done about this?

Kratom vendors, makers, and middle-men can ensure that Kratom is being tested properly before it makes its way into the hands of consumers. We’re going to discuss how the testing process should happen and why it’s so important that it does happen!

Banner For Shopping

Testing Kratom

All in all, it is relatively easy for a company to have their Kratom tested. They have to hire a third-party service to take samples of various product batches and then analyze those samples to ensure that there are no contaminants.

When talking in the world of Kratom, we usually call qualified testing labs accredited labs.

All About Accredited Labs

What makes a lab an accredited lab? Simply put, an accredited lab has passed a set of exams to ensure that they are following the right methodology when performing ISO/IEC tests at their facilities.

Testing at an accredited lab is essential because other labs might not do the test the right way, or they might not be legally allowed to certify the results of the exams.

GMP Standards In The World Of Kratom

GMP Standards, also known as Good Manufacturing Practices, are a part of most manufacturing industries. These rules are created (often at the national level) and monitored to ensure that the items being produced are safe for consumers to use.

For Kratom, there is no national governing body that regulates the production and processing of Kratom. As such, there have been cases of contaminated Kratom making it to the market and causing users to get ill.

To prevent the spread of those type of issues, the American Kratom Association created a set of Good Manufacturing Practices, based on the FDA’s GMP standards, for Kratom vendors and makers to follow.

As a GMP qualified vendor, we are confident that our products are safely made and processed. Gaining recognition as a qualified vendor in this program is very special to us because we know that we are doing everything that we can to ensure our customer’s safety when choosing to use Kratom!

Our Testing

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we like to be confident that we are going to be selling the best possible Kratom to our customers.

As such, we’ve implemented a number of safety protocols to align with AKA’s GMP standards:

  • Test for pathogens in our facilities
  • Ensure proper sanitation techniques
  • Screen suppliers thoroughly
  • Have complete tests done more regularly
  • Use more than one third-party testing lab

By doing all of these things, we are ensuring that our products are properly stored, maintained, and created before they get to you.

Possible Kratom Contaminants

You may be curious about what type of contaminants can be found in Kratom. While there are a wide variety of potential cross-contamination issues, the main areas that are focused on when testing Kratom include the following:

  • • Pathogens:
    Coliforms, mold, yeast, salmonella
  • • Heavy metals:
    Lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, arsenic

Those are the most common problems found in batches created and processed by dishonest Kratom sellers that are trying to make a quick buck. These sellers don’t worry about safety practices, and that allows their product to be contaminated with dangerous growth like mold or yeast.

Kratom Testing: What Is Tested For

When an accredited lab carries out a test on Kratom, there is a specific set of things that they will look for.

The test will include all of the following:

  • • Ensure the product is actually Kratom
  • • Ensure that there are no microbials in the substance
  • • Check heavy metal concentrations
  • • Check for any contamination
  • • Ensure the alkaloids present are real, not synthetic
  • • Confirm the presence and percentages of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the two most common alkaloids found in Kratom
Banner For Shopping

How You Can Be Confident In Your Purchase

When you’re planning on trying a new Kratom store or you simply want to restock on your favorite product, it’s important that you check that all the vendors you like to use have up-to-date testing procedures and practices.

Most qualified GMP vendors will have that information clearly and proudly listed on their website. After all, it’s quite a feat to be accepted into AKA’s program!

If you cannot find any clear information about testing on a vendor’s website, reach out to their customer service contact and find out about their testing policy. It will only take you a couple of hours to get the information that you need, and you will be able to feel safer and more confident in your purchase!

Taking Kratom Is Serious

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we love Kratom! We know that it can have a lot of benefits for different people, and we love that we get to be a part of making that connection.

That being said, we are also fully aware that Kratom is a very serious substance. When used incorrectly or contaminated at the source without a customer’s knowledge, Kratom can be dangerous.

That is why we want to reiterate one last time how important it is for you to make sure that you are only buying fully vetted, properly tested Kratom. When you take Kratom that has not been tested, you’re taking a risk that isn’t worth taking.

Lab testing is important; ask your favorite vendors to join AKA’s compliance program to help ensure the safety of Kratom users across the country!

Why You Shouldn’t Buy Cheap Kratom (And How Regulation Could Help)

by

In the eyes of the FDA and other parts of the government, Kratom is a dangerous substance. For consumers who have found a place for Kratom in their lives, it’s a life-saver.

But in the eyes of disreputable sellers, Kratom is nothing more than a great way to cut a huge profit margin! The problem with these sellers getting worse every year. As Kratom becomes more popular, more sellers are releasing untested and dangerous products.

Everybody loves a good deal, but when you find a Kratom seller that is consistently priced far below market value, you would be right to be suspicious.

Banner For Shopping

Cheap Kratom Means Cutting Costs

Every reputable business, like ours here at Left Coast Kratom, is able to cut costs from time to time. We do our best to balance our desire to turn a profit (we are a business after all!) with the desire to keep our prices fair for our customers.

Even if we didn’t want to make any profit, however, there is a limit to how low we could make our prices while still providing quality Kratom.

Daily, however, we see dishonest Kratom sites selling at prices lower than we find to be possible. Just how is it that these sites are getting their prices so low?

There are three main ways that we believe these sites are able to keep operating.

Not Employing Qualified Staff

Kratom is a specialized substance that has very real effects on your body. To ensure that the best products are sourced, the information on the website is correct, and the customer service to help you get the right Kratom are up to par, it’s necessary for companies to invest in qualified staff.

Here at Left Coast, we’re very proud of the team that we have put together to keep this site running and to keep our priority, customers like you, happy throughout their entire purchase process.

Not Hiring QA Staff

Another type of staffing that is very important is what we call QA staff. QA, short of quality assurance, is an essential part of the Kratom staffing we think that every company should have.

These staff members are responsible for ensuring the Kratom is inspected, tested, and packaged in ways that will keep it safe and secure for our customers. Many sites that sell Kratom for very cheap cut QA staff out altogether.

Because there are no formal rules about requiring QA staff to be able to sell Kratom, they can easily do this to increase their profit margin.

Limited (If Any) Testing

Finally, we’ve come to the most important thing: testing.

Testing Kratom is an essential step in the sales process. Without the right tests, consumers might receive products that have been contaminated with pathogens or heavy metals that will ultimately cause damage to your body.

We don’t believe in or agree with selling untested products.

There are many parts of the supply chain that need to happen to ensure that only safe products ever make it into customers’ hands:

  • • Quality checking at the supplier’s warehouses
  • • Product testing for any type of contamination
  • • Sanitation procedures
  • • Quality control tests

Keeping all of these tests going can be expensive, but we know how important it is to be sure that our product is as safe as possible.

Banner For Shopping

How Can We Fight Back Against Cheap Kratom?

As we said before, we know that everyone loves a good bargain, but getting your supply of Kratom for a great price and buying cheap, untested Kratom are two very different things.

In fact, cheap Kratom saturating the market actually makes the case for the legalization and regulation of Kratom even harder. These substances help to build on the bad public perception that Kratom already has because they are untested and unpredictable.

With those types of cheap products representing all that Kratom can be, what else would we expect to see happening?

For that reason, it’s incredibly important that we take steps to fight back again cheap Kratom. And there are a few ways that you can help do just that!

Check For Testing

Before you buy from any Kratom vendor, make sure that you look on their website for any information that they have about testing.

At Left Coast Kratom, we test every lot of Kratom that we sell. When you receive our product, you’ll be able to see which lot number the Kratom is part of, and this will let you know where it fell into line when it came to quality control checks.

Only buying from vendors that support and follow through with lab testing their Kratom is essential for Kratom customers. By doing this, you’re showing the market that there is a desire for safety checks, and that will help to weed out cheap kratom vendors.

Support The AKA Good Manufacturing Practices Standards

Another thing that you can do is to only buy from vendors who become certified by the American Kratom Association for following GMP standards.

GMP standards, also known as Good Manufacturing Practices Standards, are a set of rules and regulations that vendors must prove that they can follow accurately in order to become certified. This certification lets the world know that the vendor is committed to creating and selling safe products.

If your favorite vendor is not yet part of this program, contact them and let them know that it would mean a lot to you as a customer if they took the time and energy to become certified. By letting consumers know about your needs, you’ll be able to help make big changes in the Kratom industry!

Signal Boost AKA’s Work

The Kratom industry would be safer if there were rules put in place by a governing body, such as the FDA, that the vendors needed to sell. At this time, however, the FDA is more interested in banning Kratom than it is investing time into these types of regulations.

AKA, the American Kratom Association, is working tirelessly to ensure that Kratom continues to be available to consumers that want to use it. This work is largely based on testing, education, and safety practices. By supporting AKA, you’ll be supporting the growth of a healthier Kratom industry.

How Product Labeling Works In The Kratom Industry

by

We’ll be the first ones to understand if you say that you don’t find product labels to be a very interesting or stimulating subject. After all, what is there to say about a sticker or paper attached to the products you buy?

It might not seem like it, but product labels contain a lot of important information that you as a consumer are entitled to. Many industries – such as the food and health industries – are regulated by the FDA about what they must include on these labels.

In our industry, however, there are fewer official regulations. That leaves it up to companies like ours here at Left Coast Kratom to self regulate what is included on products labels and why. Today, we’ll explain our mentality about labels & why they matter so much – especially for Kratom products.

Banner For Shopping

Labeling: Brand Distinction

First, let’s talk about why product labels are so important in our industry. The labels are first and foremost designed to attract attention and to give show off the brand’s personality.

Labels are fun! They contain imagery, colors, and information about the brand that a consumer might be interested in. While the full story might not be contained on a label, this small bit of marketing can definitely serve to give customers an idea of what to expect from the product.

Branding is important – even if you don’t always realize it!

Without branding, you wouldn’t have your favorite brand of cola or clothing. Branding helps draw distinctions between variations of similar product types, and that is just as important with Kratom as it is with anything else.

Labeling: What Should Be Included

Labels need to be about more than just the brand behind the product. In our industry, they should also include all of the vital information customers need to know.

While Kratom labels are not as officially regulated as they are in other industries at this time, we believe it’s essential for certain aspects to be included on every label. Plus, Kratom must have a proper product label.

Instructions

It’s essential for products to contain some type of instructions about what type of serving size should be used. Additionally, the product should let people know if there are any recommendations of the manufacturer that they might not be aware of.

These instructions might as simple as “take two every morning.” In other cases, they’ll be more specific with more options for you to choose from.

Cautions

Kratom labels will also include essential cautions and warnings about what you can and cannot do after you use the product.

For example, you’ve probably noticed that many substances (not just Kratom) include warnings against driving heavy machinery. These types of warnings are important not only for legal reasons but also just to keep consumers safe!

Product Specs

Another aspect that is important is the specifics of what is in the product. The ingredients (both active and inactive), serving size, and nutritional breakdown.

For some products, a nutritional breakdown does not need to be included because the item is not regulated as a food or drug. At this time, Kratom labels do not require a nutritional breakdown because Kratom products are not under the FDA’s regulation.

Legalities & Complications

Ultimately, the situation with Kratom product labeling is much more complicated!

Kratom products are resting at a strange cross-point of regulation. Regulated at the state level and not fully incorporated or acknowledged by the FDA, Kratom vendors are largely left to decide for themselves what to put on their labels.

That’s not to say the FDA doesn’t have regulations that might apply; the problem is that some people don’t yet know how to apply them because the classification of Kratom is not yet completely clear.

Is that enough?

We don’t think so, and that’s why we signed up to become part of the American Kratom Association’s GMP Standards Program.

This program was designed to help manufacturers within the industry create a safer environment with better products. Through the guidelines of GMP, Kratom vendors can ensure that they are only delivering products of the highest caliber to their customers.

Banner For Shopping

GMP Label Guidelines

In regards to labeling, the program guidelines specifically specify the following suggestions for Kratom vendors and their labels:

  • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any disease claims (i.e., claims regarding the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of disease) or unauthorized health claims.
  • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any structure/function claims.
  • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not reference any research or clinical data.
  • Each finished product label must include a batch or lot number.
  • Each finished product should be labeled to disclose the mitragynine and 7-OH

alkaloid content of the product.

  • Each finished product label must advise consumers to consult with a physician

for dosing information relative to alkaloid values.

  • No kratom products may be sold to individuals under the age of 18.
  • The label should bear a statement that pregnant women should not use kratom products during pregnancy.
  • All labels, labeling, or advertising should include the following statement: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.”

As you can see, there are a lot of different words that Kratom vendors need to be very careful about including when they are advertising and labeling their products. Kratom is not yet approved by the government as a treatment for specific conditions, and that limits package wording in many ways.

Labeling & Customers Like You

Now that you know more about Kratom labeling, you might be left wondering what that means for customers like you. After all, you’re not the one who is writing or putting together a label!

The key thing that you need to remember is that reliable vendors will have labels that follow these guidelines. If a vendor sells you an unlabeled product without any detailed testing information, there’s a good chance that they are not being entirely honest.

Buying products that have clear and detailed product labels will help you to have a safer experience with Kratom every single time. Your body should be treated with that type of respect, so be sure to buy from brands that take the time to create informative product labels.