Update: Sunstone Organics Recalls Kratom for Salmonella Contamination
March 4, 2019 – Springfield, Oregon-based Sunstone Organics is recalling 2 types of kratom after routine testing identified the presence of salmonella bacteria in the product, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned on Friday. The recall affects 2 plant lots:
- Sunstone Organics Maeng Da Kratom Lot 124A
- Sunstone Organics White Vein Kratom Lot 119
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree native of Southeast Asia that has recently sparked a controversy in the U.S. over its potential risks and benefits. Kratom is currently legal in the technical sense in the U.S., but its status is on shaky ground in a number of states, as well as with the federal government. Proponents claim that kratom causes opioid-like effects, which makes the plant a safe tool for patients battling with opioid addiction.
What’s the Problem?
In recent years, kratom has become a topic of intense controversy in the U.S. and abroad. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued increasingly urgent warnings about the herb, saying its effects are similar to habit-forming opioid drugs, and advising consumers to avoid it altogether. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering significantly restricting kratom, which is still considered legal in most states.
Kratom Linked to Dozens of Salmonella Illnesses: CDC Warning
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement which stated that kratom had been implicated in a “multistate outbreak of 28 salmonella infections in 20 states.” CDC said at least 11 patients had symptoms so severe they required hospitalization, with no deaths reported at the time.
“Investigation findings link the outbreak to kratom products,” the agency said. “Out of 11 people interviewed, eight (73 percent) reported consuming kratom. Ill people in this outbreak report consuming kratom in pills, powder or tea. No common brands or suppliers of kratom products have been identified.”
Salmonella Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Cramps
- Loss of appetite
Treatment
Because salmonella infection (salmonellosis) can be severely dehydrating, treatment involves replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. Severe cases may require hospitalization, and fluids delivered directly into a vein (intravenous). Additionally, the patient’s doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications and/or antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What You Should Know Before Taking Kratom: The Doctors Video
Kratom Effects
Due to the unique mix of ingredients in kratom, its effects are complex and vary from case to case. The balance between stimulant-like and opiate-like effects (uppers and downers) depends on the dosage ingested, and different users have reported vastly different effects with the herb, even when taken at the same dose.
In general, though, kratom has been found to produce varying degrees of the following short-term side effects:
- Increased energy and alertness
- Decreased appetite
- Increased sociability
- Heightened libido
At moderate to high doses (5-15 grams), effects may include:
- Analgesia (pain reduction)
- Drowsiness
- Calm, dreamlike mental state
- Cough suppression
- Reduction in symptoms of opioid withdrawal
Can I Participate in a Class Action Lawsuit?
Although we are a nationally recognized class action firm, the Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at our law firm has decided against the filing of a kratom class action suit and is currently filing individual claims on behalf of individuals who developed a salmonella infection after taking kratom.
A class action is a type of lawsuit filed with the court on behalf of large group of people or “class” of individuals that have been injured or wronged. The class is represented by the law firm and the case is generally decided upon a single member of the class who is sometimes referred to as the “class representative or class rep.”
Why Our Law Firm Is Filing Individual Lawsuits Opposed To a Class Action
In some instances, a class action may offer some advantages, as they aggregate a large number of individualized claims into one representational lawsuit. The aggregation can increase the efficiency of the legal process, lower the costs of litigation and in some cases offer the solution to a common problem wherein small recoveries do not provide the incentive for any individual or law firm to file an individual lawsuit.
However, a class action suit can also be a detriment to many class members, as they are often forced into a blanket “low ball settlement” and higher attorney fees. At Schmidt & Clark, LLP we understand that our clients are suffering emotionally and economically due to loss of wages and/or high medical bills and we plan to maximize each client’s recovery by filing individual kratom lawsuits on their behalf.
FDA Issues First Ever ‘Mandatory Recall’ for Kratom
April 3, 2018 – The U.S. FDA on Tuesday ordered the mandatory recall — the first time the agency has used its mandatory recall power for a food product — for potentially contaminated kratom produced by Triangle Pharmanaturals. The recall comes amid an ongoing nationwide outbreak of salmonella infections which have sickened at least 87 people in 35 states, according to CNN.
More Kratom Recalled for Salmonella Contamination
March 26, 2018 – Tamarack Inc. is recalling Eclipse powder products because they may contain salmonella-tainted kratom, according to an FDA recall notice issued on Monday. Affected products are packaged in plastic heat sealed pouches or plastic sealed bottles, and sold in one gram capsules and powder. Distribution of an estimated 120 units were sold directly to five retailers in Utah, FDA said.
Do I Have a Kratom Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in kratom lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you feel you’ve been harmed by the side effects of kratom, or that you developed symptoms of food poisoning after using the drug, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and we can help.