UF study finds kratom-derived products are frequently mislabeled
What’s listed on a kratom product label may not tell the full story. Researchers in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy have found that commercially available kratom products, including many kratom-derived products, contain chemical compositions that differ from their labels, highlighting gaps in product transparency and the need for stronger regulation.
The findings were released at a time when the kratom marketplace is rapidly expanding. Kratom-labeled products can be purchased as powders, tablets, gummies and concentrated liquid shots. The products are often sold as generically labeled kratom, despite being chemically and pharmacologically different from traditional leaf kratom.
Kratom, known scientifically as Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has traditionally been used for stimulant and analgesic effects. The plant contains more than 40 identified alkaloids, including compounds that interact with human opioid receptors. These alkaloids vary in their chemical structures and may produce different pharmacological effects.
“Consumers should be able to trust that a product’s label accurately reflects what’s inside,” said Abhisheak Sharma, Ph.D., M.Pharm., associate chair and an assistant professor of pharmaceutics in the UF College of Pharmacy and lead author of the study published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. “Our findings show that stronger manufacturing standards, comprehensive testing and transparent labeling are needed to help people make informed decisions and reduce potential safety risks.”