The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a mandatory recall of all food products containing powdered kratom manufactured, processed, packed or held by Triangle Pharmanaturals after several were found to contain salmonella, according to the FDA.

This is the first time the FDA has issued a mandatory recall order. Triangle Pharmanaturals failed to cooperate with requests to conduct a voluntary recall at the end of March.

The FDA is advising consumers to discard products that are part of the mandatory recall, including Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Emerald Green, Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Ivory White, and Raw Form Organics Maeng Da Kratom Ruby Red.

“This action is based on the imminent health risk posed by the contamination of this product with salmonella, and the refusal of this company to voluntarily act to protect its customers and issue a recall, despite our repeated requests and actions,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

Two samples of kratom products manufactured by Triangle Pharmanaturals sold in Tigard, Oregon, tested positive for salmonella, as did four additional samples of various types of kratom product associated with the firm collected by the FDA.

The FDA advises consumers to avoid kratom or its psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, in any form and from any manufacturer.

“We continue to have serious concerns about the safety of any kratom-containing product and we are pursuing these concerns separately,” Gottlieb said.

“But the action today is based on the risks posed by the contamination of this particular product with a potentially dangerous pathogen.” 

Triangle Pharmanaturals products containing kratom (FDA images)