Wetherington Statement on FDA Kratom Advisory

Statement of Matt Wetherington:

The FDA’s consumer alert on OPMS Black Liquid Kratom is a rare and serious action that demands our full attention. The American Kratom Association’s response is not just disappointing – it’s dangerous. Their emotional tirade and personal attacks on FDA staff are unacceptable and undermine legitimate public health concerns.

The AKA’s attempt to shift the burden of proof onto the FDA is a reckless reversal of standard safety protocols. Kratom products should be proven safe before widespread use, not the other way around.

We’ve seen the devastating effects of kratom firsthand: addiction, liver failure, and even deaths. The industry’s lack of regulation puts consumers at serious risk.

The kratom lobby’s aggressive tactics and dismissal of the FDA’s warning are reprehensible. They’re choosing profits over people’s lives. We stand firmly with the FDA and urge the public to take this alert seriously. Kratom is not a safe alternative to other substances – it’s a dangerous compound that needs strict oversight.”

The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the safety and regulation of kratom products in the United States.