Ever since the Salmonella outbreak that rocked close to 41 states in the United States, the FDA, CDC, and other health-related organizations have been working around the clock to not only find the cause but also suitable solution to the problem. After months of intensified research, they reached a conclusion. The outbreak was as a result of the contamination of Kratom-related products.
This led to a mandatory recall order being issued to companies responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of Kratom products.
Thankfully, most of these companies put the order into effect immediately. Additionally, they also made sure that they were cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration as well as the CDC to find the right solution. Here are some facts you need to know about the Salmonella infection:
Brands of Kratom That Tested Positive for Salmonella
After an in-depth investigation, the FDA finally came up with a comprehensive list of Kratom-related products contaminated with Salmonella. This list went public so that people could be aware, avoiding consumption of the same until the FDA issued a clearance. Note that this list was obtained after a thorough research conducted by the local health experts. Some of the products in question included:
- White Borneo Bulk Powder
- White Sumatra Bulk Powder
- Dragon Bali, Green Bali Bulk Powder
- White Maeng Da Bulk Powder
- Green Malaysian Bulk Powder
- Red MD
- Red Hula
- Green MD
- Red Malay
- White MD
- Red Horn
- Plantation RMD
- Gold Kratom
- Unspecified Kratom
- Pain-Out Malay Kratom
- Red Borneo
- Red Suma
- Thai Maeng Da
- Red Vein Bali
- Nirvanion Green Malay
Symptoms of a Salmonella Infection
The FDA also made sure that they had given the public a heads up about the symptoms of a Salmonella infection. This was to ensure that anyone who was unknowingly infected through the consumption of contaminated Kratom products knew what to do next.
The FDA made sure that the public was aware of the two waves of symptoms that were likely to affect everyone infected.
As for the early symptoms, the patients were likely to experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps as well as fever. These so-called early symptoms, according to the expert, were likely to manifest between 12 and 72 hours of exposure. Therefore, the infected were strongly advised to seek help from the nearest medical facility for immediate medical attention.
According to FDA, seeking medical attention as soon as the symptoms showed was paramount. This was important because it would go a long way in helping the patients get treatment earlier and by extension, saving them a lot of pain and discomfort. It is also important to note that most people can recover from the infection without treatment, but that would mean 4-7 days of a lot of pain, which can also give way to a host of opportunistic diseases.
Speedy warning got issued to the public that despite the fact that a Salmonella infection could go away on its own without treatment, there were still chances that it could turn acute and for that matter, become fatal. According to FDA, about 400 persons die from acute salmonellosis per annum. Therefore, the outbreak was not a laughing matter; hence, it should be treated with the seriousness it did deserves.
Actions Taken to Curb the Outbreak
To curb the outbreak, the CDC and FDA interviewed a fair share of the affected individuals in a bid to find the born of contention. They were thoroughly questioned about the foods they recently ate and where they acquired them from. The health experts then used this information to track the sources of the Salmonella outbreak.
So far, the number of those affected by the Salmonella outbreak infected totals to 199 people – all of whom are from 41 states altogether. After establishing that most of the products consumed were of Kratom nature, they were all recalled from stores around the 41 states from where the infections were predominant. Although after comprehensive research, the health experts established that the rampant infections weren’t as a result of Kratom but contamination.
The FDA made this conclusion after taking the initiative to examine the packaging of the Kratom products, all of which tested positive for Salmonella. Therefore, it is upon the industries to look for better ways to package their Kratom products to prevent the possibility of another Salmonella outbreak happening in the near future.
The companies responsible for manufacturing the Kratom products are also doing all in their power to prevent future cases of Salmonella outbreak the best way they can. For this to happen, the health officials and experts are currently working closely with the companies to find better ways of packaging their products.
What do Do Consumers need To Do?
Consumers experiencing early symptoms of salmonellosis should pay their doctor a visit. Ensure you inform your doctor about the Kratom products you are using, including those listed by the FDA. Note that some products don’t list Kratom on the labeling.
Who Should be Contacted?
If you have any questions about food safety, the FDA encourages you to send them an inquiry or visit their website for more information.
My Last Important Words
Personally, I did not worry about salmonella since I know my kratom.
Salmonella has been found in other supplements and will continue to do.
Many people get fresh kratom and hearing about this outbreak should not scare away kratom from their consciousness.
Perhaps they want kratom banned because pharmaceutical companies can make a lot of money on painkillers.
Conspiracy theories aside, what do you think about this outbreak?