The Justice Department and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday announced the seizure of about 73,000 products containing 7-hydroxymitragine (7-OH) from three warehouses in Missouri.
According to seizure complaints filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, two Kansas City–area firms continued distributing the products after receiving warnings from the FDA that the items were illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Recent FDA inspections found that the companies continued to distribute the products after receiving the warnings.
The U.S. Marshals Service, with support from the FDA, executed the seizures at facilities operated by Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, the Justice Department said.
“Products containing 7-OH are illegal under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division in a statement. “We have seen numerous reports of harmful health consequences in consumers, including children, who have taken 7-OH products.
Synthetic kratom products such as these are sold in gas stations, convenience stores and vape shops. In July, the FDA recommended a scheduling action to control certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
“The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children,” U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri said. “We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”
In June, the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies for illegally distributing products containing 7-OH, including tablets, gummies, drink mixes and shots.
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