GMP

All About GMP (And How It Protects Kratom Consumers Like You)

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Every industry has manufacturing practices that companies in the industry are expected to follow. These practices are in place not only to keep the workers in each company safe but also to ensure that consumers are always receiving a safe and reliable product.

Without standards, there would be no way for consumers to feel confident that they are buying a safe, well-tested product.

Before the GMP program was established by the American Kratom Association, these standards were practically nonexistent across the industry. While individual vendors like us here at Phytoextractum had their own rules about testing and standards, they were not consistent between vendors.

Let’s find out what the GMP program consists of, why it is so important, and how we can continue to ensure that these practices continue to protect consumers and companies in the Kratom industry for decades to come.

What Is The GMP Program?

Good Manufacturing Practices

The GMP Program is a Kratom-specific program that was established by the American Kratom Association as an attempt to coordinate and normalize safe manufacturing practices among various Kratom vendors.

GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, is a program that sets up a certain standard, and Kratom vendors have to prove that they are meeting these standards in order to be certified. Then, they must continue to prove that they follow the program’s guidelines each year if they want to continue to be certified by the GMP program for safety compliance.

GMP Program Requirements

The complete guidelines of the program can be found on the American Kratom Association’s website, but these are some of the most important general requirements:

  • ➡ Specific labeling guidelines which may not include certain claims
  • ➡ Safe operating procedures in regards to sick workers
  • ➡ Written procedures in place for all shipping reception and processing
  • ➡ Batch testing and record-keeping
  • ➡ Complete supply chain record-keeping
  • ➡ Restrictions on marketing practices

With guidelines like these, the program helps to support vendors to be as safe as possible when working with Kratom processing, sales, and marketing. It’s part of the responsibility of vendors to upkeep a level of safety for consumers, and this program helps do just that.

Why Is The GMP Program Necessary?

As you may or may not know, Kratom has a somewhat confusing legal status in America. Like most substances, the final call about the legality of Kratom exists at the state-by-state level. While this type of decision making is common, the differences between regulations in each state mean that negligent vendors can sell untested Kratom.

Untested Kratom could be very dangerous for consumers, and consumers getting sick from their Kratom is not OK! Additionally, cases of bad Kratom batches making it to the market weaken the case for Kratom as a safe substance to use. Some in the federal government have already made their skepticism of Kratom known, and problematic cases due to messy testing will only make that worse.

The GMP program accomplishes a few major fixes within the industry:

  • ➡ Sets up testing protocol
  • ➡ Sets up guidelines that are specific to the Kratom industry
  • ➡ Sets up a standard that can be checked and improved as needed
  • ➡ Gives consumers peace of mind when choosing their vendor
  • ➡ Protects consumers from untested product
  • ➡ Educates manufacturers, vendors, and consumers about safe Kratom

All successful industries have a type of manufacturing standards that are expected to be followed, and the GMP program creates those standards for the Kratom industry. Vendors that choose to participate are helping to improve the overall industry.

How GMP Protects Consumers

Before the GMP program existed, some vendors were doing their best to make sure that Kratom was tested properly. Limited knowledge and the lack of a clear procedure path, however, led even well-meaning Kratom vendors to sell questionable products.

Consumers, however, had no way of knowing if the Kratom that they were purchasing could be trusted or not. There was no impartial way to judge the different vendors when shopping around, and that led to stress and safety issues.

With the GMP program in place, it is possible for consumers to look at the list of GMP participants and then decide where they would like to shop.

Additionally, the GMP program helps all Kratom vendors become educated about the best practices for Kratom. Even if consumers know nothing about the program, they are still being protected as vendors work to make sure their products are as safe as possible.

Phytoextractum’s Commitment To GMP

Here at Phytoextractum, we are very committed to the GMP program!

Without it, we feel that the overall Kratom industry would not be nearly as safe as it is today. The structure, direction, and guidelines that it provides to vendors of all sizes make it possible to identify risk factors and eliminate them.

We know that there are dangers associated with untested and low-quality Kratom, and we can see how the GMP program reduces the risks those have for all Kratom consumers. 

That is why we are proud to be compliant, certified members of the GMP program and plan to continue endorsing this program for the foreseeable future.

How To Shop For GMP Compliant Kratom

Are you interested in making sure that you shop for GMP-compliant Kratom in the future? That’s great; we’re glad that you see the importance of putting quality before price.

We’re happy to offer a great variety of well-priced (and well-tested) Kratom here in our shop, but we also know that we might not have everything that you are looking for.

Here is what we recommend doing to ensure that you are shopping from GMP-compliant vendors:

  • ➡ Bookmark this list on the AKA website of GMP certified vendors
  • ➡ Shop around to find a few vendors that you are interested in buying from
  • ➡ Check to see if the vendor is on the list
  • ➡ If they are, shop away!

If you plan to shop locally, you can save this list to your phone and then check the products that are available in-store to choose your next batch of Kratom. Chances are pretty good that your local vendor already vets what they stock, but you can never be too careful.

By taking this simple extra step, you can protect yourself and the Kratom industry. And for that, we thank you!

AKA and Compliance: Our Approach To Kratom’s Future

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With the FDA’s recent backdoor attempt to internationally ban Kratom, we thought this was a great time to talk about Kratom regulation and the future of our industry. (Click here to learn more about the FDAs recent request to the W.H.O. and U.N.)

In the past, we’ve talked about the American Kratom Association, the work that they are doing towards Kratom’s future, and the Good Manufacturing Practices Program that guides the leading vendors in this industry.

In many ways, these organizations and their actions can seem like they are outside of our day-to-day work. AKA’s daily functions aren’t always directly affected by us… or are they?

Today we’re going to talk about the ways that we here at Phytoextractum are putting our time, money, and energy into supporting the future of Kratom. While we are, of course, running a business in hopes of making a profit, we are also personally invested in ensuring that Kratom has a future in America.

And we do that by supporting the American Kratom Association and following all compliance possible. Let’s talk about how we do that and why it matters!

We Support The American Kratom Association

The American Kratom Association is a nonprofit organization that is working to protect the safety and future of Kratom consumers in America as well as the vendors working in the industry.

Their goals cover many facets of the industry, but they primarily focus on the following:

  • ➡ Ensure Kratom sold in America is safe
  • ➡ Ensure Kratom remains legal in America
  • ➡ Set up legal regulations as well as protections for Kratom
  • ➡ Educate the necessary government organizations about Kratom
  • ➡ Support additional Kratom research
  • ➡ Communicate Kratom research with the public

The Trouble With Kratom

For many years, there has been a major problem with Kratom in America. Due to the low-quality batches being sold by some vendors, Kratom was earning a bad reputation. These vendors and the overall lack of testing in the industry made it possible for regulatory bodies to point to rare problem cases that could have been avoided.

How AKA Addresses The Problem

The American Kratom Association recognized this problem and immediately set to work to rectify it. While they started by approaching state lawmakers about creating more clear regulations, they knew that legislation takes time. Working to set up laws could not be their only approach.

So, the AKA started promoting safe Kratom in America using a double-pronged approach:

  • 1.) Set up a manufacturing standards program for all vendors to follow, known as the GMP program.
  • 2.) Got to work trying to get Kratom Consumer Protection Laws passed in each state to ensure the safety and legality of Kratom use in America.

Both of these efforts have shown amazing success stories already, and we’re happy to have been able to support AKA in these efforts.

We Believe In The GMP Program

We are proud to be members of the GMP program run by the American Kratom Association. Not all Kratom vendors have put the time and money into meeting the necessary standards. Still, we felt that this is an important priority for our business.

GMP Compliance

In order to become a verified member of the GMP program, we had to send in an application and make sure that all of our business practices aligned with the guidelines set up in the program. Generally speaking, this meant that we had to ensure our testing, shipping, storage, handling, and documentation were all done correctly.

The guidelines for the program are quite detailed, but they are also not restrictive. We have been able to continue doing business in a profitable way while also prioritizing our product safety. The guidelines help us to manage the safety side of our practice so that we can focus on finding the best Kratom and connecting with our customers.

What We’re Doing Right

When a vendor first signs up to join the GMP program, a third-party auditor comes in and assesses whether or not the guidelines are being met.

The following areas are the most important to us to continually improve, and we have been able to continue our membership in the program by staying on top of them:

  • ➡ Test for pathogens in the facility regularly
  • ➡ Ensure sanitation protocols are complete
  • ➡ Screen and document our supply chain
  • ➡ Ensure accurate testing procedures
  • ➡ Use more than one lab when testing batches
  • ➡ Document all milling and blending processes
  • ➡ … and much more!

There are a lot of different environmental and product controls that we have to take into consideration when managing our warehouses. Thankfully, the guidelines from the GMP have helped to set up a general outline that we have expanded to include all of the important documentation, testing, sanitation, and other required processes.

As part of the GMP program, we can more effectively buy, process, and sell high-quality supplies of Kratom.

We Follow Consumer Protection Laws

Finally, we’ve found the work that the American Kratom Association has done in terms of Kratom Consumer Protection laws in America to be very impressive, and we continue to support their efforts in expanding the reach of these laws.

What Are Kratom Consumer Protection Laws?

Kratom consumer protection laws are laws that are set up on the state level to ensure that Kratom is sold safely and legally. Generally known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, the AKA has taken their template idea to various states to show how and why these protections matter.

Each state that agrees to adopt measures writes up their own version of the consumer protection laws, so they differ a little bit by each state.

Generally speaking, however, they contain some or all of the following information:

  • ➡ Official definition of Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about how to label Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about required disclaimers when selling or advertising Kratom
  • ➡ Requirements for Kratom testing
  • ➡ Penalty system for anyone selling untested/low-quality Kratom
  • ➡ Registration process with the state
  • ➡ Ensures that Kratom sales in the state are legal

Essentially, the act would set up a way for the state to be able to monitor Kratom sales and ensure that everything is being done in a safe way. Additionally, this type of legislation ensures that Kratom is made officially legal to take, so that adds another layer of protection for consumers.

We’re working hard in Oregon again this session to pass our version of the KCPA, and we’re hopeful that we will be successful. KCPA laws are decided and passed on a state-by-state basis; click here to find out what the AKA is doing in your state now!

P.S. Don’t forget to leave your public comment with the W.H.O. and U.N. on their proposed international Kratom ban.

State-by-State: Kratom Consumer Protection 2020 Predictions

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2019 was a year of many changes in the way that kratom is classified, treated, and regulated in America. Through the efforts of advocacy agencies like the American Kratom Association and their supporters, four states passed Kratom Consumer Protection Acts, which protect consumers in those regions.

In 2020, they want to do even more.

By the end of the year, the American Kratom Association hopes to have protection acts passed in 25 states, meaning that 21 states would need to pass acts this year to accomplish the goal.

Is it possible? What states are being targeted? Find out all of this, and more, in today’s looks at what AKA will be focusing on for the coming year.

What Is The KCPA?

The kratom industry does not have a lot of regulation, control, or guidelines. Most industries have a set of good manufacturing practices that all reliable vendors and producers follow. The kratom industry did not have any such practices until recently.

Now, the American Kratom Association, AKA, runs the Good Compliance Standards Program. This voluntary program helps to ensure that:

  • vendors are properly testing their products
  • labeling their items
  • ensuring that their products are as safe and high-quality as possible

With the KCPA, the American Kratom Association hopes to continue beyond that voluntary program to set up some official, state-backed guidelines.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a sample set of guidelines and rules that were created as an example for state governments. Each state that AKA works with can adapt these guidelines to suit their state, but the general outline of what it should include is as follows:

  • Defines kratom
  • Registers products and vendors operating in the state
  • Restricts and requires specific labeling practices
  • Requires testing to reduce adulterated or contaminated product presence
  • Sets up a state regulatory system

There are many different things that could be added to this as well. Ultimately, it is up to the legislators and lawmakers in each state to determine what they believe will be most effective in their state.

Amount & Synthetic Restrictions

Ideally, the KCPA legislation will also touch on the amount and types of alkaloids that can be in a kratom product.

As you might know, kratom’s benefits come from the alkaloids found in the plant. Alkaloids can, however, be created synthetically.

The KCPA suggests banning synthetic alkaloids and also putting a limit on the total amount of 7-OH that can be in the product. 7-OH, aka 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a metabolite of the primary alkaloids found in kratom.

States Where KCPA Exists

The AKA has already been working with states to implement the KCPA for some time now. Through their efforts, some form of this protection act exists in:

Each of these states created their own version of the act, but the major components that will help to ensure that Americans can find safe, properly vetted kratom sources are underway in those areas.

States Where Kratom is Banned

Despite the best efforts of kratom advocacy groups, there are a few states where kratom bans have been passed.

Kratom is currently banned in these states:

  • Indiana
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Rhode Island

Though these outright bans are very real, AKA is planning to target four of these states during the 2020 goal stretch to reach 25 states with KCPA laws. The advocacy group believes that the bans in these areas are, at best, shaky with a lot of dissension. With some effort, the bans can be reversed.

Unfortunately, both Wisconsin and Arkansas do not have legislative sessions this year, but AKA plans to work with legislators and get things ready to be implemented in early 2021, if possible.

In Rhode Island, AKA has already had the opportunity to meet with a number of officials and scientists, so the process of attempting to overturn the kratom ban is already underway.

2020 Target States

These are the states that AKA will be targeting in 2020:

  • Tennessee
  • Mississippi
  • Florida
  • South Carolina
  • North Carolina
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Oregon
  • Idaho
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • Wisconsin
  • Colorado
  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Missouri
  • Louisiana
  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas

These states are the states where the AKA has already been working to lay the groundwork for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act to be implemented. The organization also took into account the amount of funding that they currently have available to put into the project.

The situation for all of these states is different, so AKA is handling a lot of moving parts. In some states, lobbyists are already working hard. In other states, funding and lobbyist efforts are needed to move forward with the goal.

Ultimately, it’s hard to say for certain if this goal will be completely achievable or not. When it comes to politics, a number of other issues could stand in the way and prevent a law from being passed until next year, but we firmly believe that a lot of progress in a positive direction will be made.

Want To Get Involved?

If you have any interest in getting involved in the advocacy efforts at your state or local level, you can do that! Ask around at your local kratom shop if there are any such groups working in the area or contact the AKA to find out where you could step in to lend a helping hand.

If you aren’t ready to get involved in a group but still want to support the efforts that are being made, you can do a few simple things:

  • Share your kratom stories on AKA’s website
  • Buy from vendors that support the GMP compliance program run by AKA
  • Send an email to your local or state officials letting them know of your opinion on any kratom-related legislation proposals

If we are to succeed in passing KCPA in all of these states in 2020, help is going to be necessary! Share your story; share your passion. With your help, the kratom industry can become safer than ever before.

Kratom Products Labels: What They Mean And Why They Matter

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Have you ever taken the time to read the product label on the last batch of kratom that you bought? Do you know what type of information you should see on that type of label? Or are you completely unsure about what it says on the package other than the company and product name?

If you’ve ever taken the time to look at a kratom label, the chances are pretty high that you haven’t found much information there. Due to a lack of regulation in the industry, there isn’t a lot of incentive for companies to include a lot of information.

Here at Phytoextractum, we find that to be incredibly frustrating. What is a consumer supposed to do if they can’t get any information from the label? Are people expected to know everything about a product before they buy it?

Let’s take a look at the complicated world of kratom product labels and what we hope to see happen in the future.

Creating a Brand

The first reason that we’re used to seeing labels on products is to let you know who made it. Brands are eager to put their names and logos on everything that they put into the world because they know that indirect marketing like this can bring them more business in the long run.

Consumers who have used their products before are more likely to recognize their name and logo if they saw it on the packaging, and that recognition can lead them to buy again. That’s why companies put so much time and money into choosing the right imagery, colors, and words for their logos.

Branding is incredibly important in all industries, and the kratom industry is no exception.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum
 

Generalized Label Expectations

At this time, not all states require specific information to be included on kratom labels. We believe that this doesn’t mean that general label expectations should not be followed. In fact, we think that the lack of regulation makes it even more important.

Usage

The first thing that needs to be included is some type of instructions about how to use the product. Any relevant information and suggestions from the manufacturer to the consumer can be included here so that the customer sees it.

Warnings

Other things that you can (and should) see on a label are warnings. If there are any cautions, warnings, or other precautionary information that would benefit the consumer to know, it is a company’s obligation to warn the customer about these things.

Many products have warnings that are regulated and must be put on every product, such as cigarettes. For unregulated products such as kratom, however, no such requirements exist.

Stats

Another important thing to include on the label is any specific information about what is in the product. Ingredients, nutritional information, serving size, and more are all examples of stats that you might find on a product label.

As kratom is not under FDA regulation, product labels should not include any type of nutritional information unless otherwise advised by a regulatory agency.

The Complicated Kratom Label Situation

If you know anything about kratom’s legal status, you know that the status is always at risk. While some states have legalized kratom and made moves to protect consumers from unregulated dangers, not every state is as open to the idea of legal kratom.

Because of this, there are no official regulations that kratom vendors need to follow when they sell their products. There are some things that vendors are not allowed to say per FDA rules, but that doesn’t mean they have to say other things instead.

Vendors can put whatever they want on the labels, and we don’t believe that is enough. Though official classification of kratom at levels is still underway, it is possible to label kratom properly.

AKA’s GMP Label Program

For own labeling purposes, we follow the labeling protocol that is outlined within the American Kratom Association’s GMP Standards Program. The AKA is working tirelessly to help protect kratom consumers in America, and we believe that this is a program fully worth supporting.

With the standards laid out through AKA’s research, we (and other kratom vendors) can be sure to protect our consumers to the best of our abilities.

Banner For Kratom Products
 

AKA’s Label Requirements

To be part of the GMP program with AKA, you have to follow their guidelines. Many of the guidelines have to do with labels, as you can see in the program guidelines:

  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any disease claims (i.e., claims regarding the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of disease) or unauthorized health claims.
  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any structure/function claims.
  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not reference any research or clinical data.
  • • Each finished product label must include a batch or lot number.
  • • Each finished product should be labeled to disclose the mitragynine and 7-OH alkaloid content of the product.
  • • Each finished product label must advise consumers to consult with a physician for dosing information relative to alkaloid values.
  • • No kratom products may be sold to individuals under the age of 18.
  • • The label should bear a statement that pregnant women should not use kratom products during pregnancy.
  • • All labels, labeling, or advertising should include the following statement: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.”

As you can see, those labeling requirements can be quite complicated, but that’s not a problem because AKA resources to help clarify things for vendors and consumers alike. The requirements don’t exist just to be complicated. They exist to ensure that vendors and consumers both are protected from the risks and dangers of the industry.

When you’re buying kratom online or in stores, take the time to look at the label on each product. Does the label give you good information? Do you feel like you have a good idea of the product by the time you read through it? If you answered yes to those questions, you should feel confident that you’re making a good choice.

How The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Affects You

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As kratom vendors, we feel that it is our responsibility to help ensure that you, our customers, get the best product possible. We’ve seen a lot of vendors that lie, exaggerate, and act dishonestly about the products that they offer. And that’s the last thing that we want to do.

There is a lack of regulation and control in the world of kratom. Regulation is an important step to ensuring consumer safety. While many kratom vendors are compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices and always have their products tested before selling them, there are some companies that would rather make a quick buck than guarantee the safety of their customers. 

Here at Phytoextractum, we do our best to put time, energy, and money into compliance and into supporting organizations and projects that we believe will make kratom safer and more widely accepted. 

Recently, we’ve been thrilled to see a few states adopt the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), and we hope to see these bills spread across the entire country.

What is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and why do we think that it is a wonderful thing for vendors and consumers alike? Let’s explore this issue together.

Why Protection Is Needed

At this time, there are not many official regulations about kratom, kratom packaging, kratom sales, kratom processing, or any other aspect of the industry.

Usually, the rules about a product like kratom would depend on what category it is. Unfortunately, there is not even an official ruling about how kratom will be managed, so vendors are in the position of to marketing and selling kratom without clear guidelines to follow.

Unfortunately for the consumer and the industry at large, that has at times allowed not-so-good kratom to slip through and cause a lot of misunderstanding about the plant itself. Kratom can be a safe product when harvested, processed, and used properly, but not every vendor is in a position to do that on their own.

Most problems seen in the media about kratom today were caused by contaminated kratom that could have been kept off the market if vendors were given better guidance about testing requirements. Without changes, it’s possible that contaminated and adulterated kratom will continue to cause problems for both consumers and vendors alike.

For that reason, we believe that explicit consumer protections are absolutely necessary.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Introducing The Kratom Consumer Protection Act

It’s time to meet the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

This act is a set of guidelines that ensure consumers can safely and legally buy kratom in the form of consistent, reliable, and unadulterated products. The guidelines offer protections to kratom users while also giving guidance to vendors about the right ways to test, label, and market their products.

There is no reason that kratom vendors should be permitted to sell dangerous and contaminated products on the market, and these laws help to prevent that from happening.

Generally speaking, the guidelines of the act have included the following terms:

  • • Officially defines kratom
  • • Gives vendors and processors guidelines about how to label kratom with specific terminology and disclaimers
  • • Prevents the sale of adulterated or contaminated kratom products
  • • Establishes a penalty system for kratom vendors who break the rules
  • • Requires vendors to register themselves with state regulators
  • • Requires that each state set up testing standards and other procedures for kratom vendors and processors

When companies follow protocols such as these, kratom consumers can feel more safe and confident in their purchases. Additionally, the fear of kratom that has been caused by contaminated products will begin to disappear as the market is overtaken by safe and controlled products.

Who Created These Guidelines?

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act was conceptualized and put into motion by the AKA. AKA, the American Kratom Association, is an organization which advocates on behalf of kratom consumers and vendors. Their goal is to promote safe and legal kratom use. 

AKA is involved in many areas of Kratom advocacy. One of their most well-known initiatives is their compliance program, which tracks the testing progress of Kratom vendors. The program requires vendors to follow Good Manufacturing Practices, including lab testing policies to ensure their customers’ safety.

Here at Phytoextractum, we are fully in support of AKA’s work on the compliance program and the Kratom Consumer Protection Act! We are AKAA GMP Qualified, and we hope to help pass the KCPA here in Oregon.

States With Consumer Protection Laws About Kratom

Since the AKA first introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act at the beginning of this legislative session, it has been adopted in a number of states.

At this point, it’s important to understand that every state will need to pass this type of law individually because there is no federal law about kratom. Similar to cannabis, these laws will need to be passed on the state level until the federal government offers more guidance on regulating kratom.

Because of this, every state’s Kratom Consumer Protection Act may be slightly different. AKA has proposed the guidelines to many states in their original form, but state officials may alter them to fit the specific wants and need of their states and constituents.

At this time, these states have passed Kratom Consumer Protection Acts:

In Oregon, the bill has made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be presented to the Joint Ways & Means Committee in the coming weeks for another vote before it reaches the chamber floor.

In addition to several states have passing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act so far, the federal government recently approved funding for more studies about kratom and its effects. We can only hope that the findings of these studies will help to pave the way for more open acceptance of kratom use for its many benefits.

The Future of Kratom Depends On The KCPA

Kratom is at a critical juncture in the United States. Due to some issues with misinformation and contaminated products, the FDA has been looking at kratom vendors and users with a critical eye. As huge proponents of the right to choose kratom, however, we know that that perception needs to change. 

In order to protect consumers and help change the mainstream opinion about kratom, laws like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act must be put into place. These regulations will help ensure that consumers are properly educated and protected while also keeping the industry alive for reputable vendors who care about compliance and their customers’ safety. 

In the end, these laws will be a win-win for everyone involved.

Cheap Kratom: The Scary Risks of Saving Money

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Saving money when you find a great deal is always fun. Whether you have a coupon code or you simply found the same item for a cheaper price, the savings always feel like a big win.

When it comes to Kratom, however, saving with cheap Kratom may actually be more risk than you realize!

Many consumers find themselves comparing different Kratom websites without being sure of what they should look for when they’re choosing Kratom. For many, the lowest price that they can find becomes the Kratom that they invest in. But is this the smartest options?

Honestly speaking? No; it’s not.

While we do our best to make our Kratom available at a price point that works for our customers, we don’t agree with Kratom vendors cutting corners to sell for a lower price or turn a bigger profit. Doing that is downright dangerous, and we believe that you have the right to know why!

The Dangers of Cheap Kratom

Why is that taking cheap Kratom can be dangerous?

Cheap Kratom is usually untested or mixed Kratom which means that you may not know what is going into your body at all. Even though these Kratom products are never advertised as anything but pure, the vendors are not being completely honest with you when they market their products.

Untested Kratom can contain many different substances, all of which have their own unique effects on the body:

  • Dried powder products: mixed into Kratom to add bulk weight
  • Added chemicals: use to fake the chemical composition of the Kratom
  • Pathogens: unsanitary processing can spread disease

These are just a few of the many ways that Kratom can become infected or contaminated with something that you certainly wouldn’t put into your body knowingly! And since these companies lie or disclose the truth about their products, you would never know the difference without additional research.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

How Kratom Vendors Cut Corners

Today, we’ll go into a little bit of detail about the different ways that we suspect companies are saving money by skipping essential safety routines.

Now that you know how low quality Kratom can be dangerous, you might be wondering where along the supply chain these contaminations occur. Where exactly do Kratom sellers and suppliers cut corners in a way that leads to these risks?

While we cannot say exactly who does what, our experiences have shown us that these safety precautions are some of the most expensive to implement -and that is a good indicator that they are things that might get skipped!

Lab Testing

Lab testing is one of the most important steps of selling Kratom, and many suppliers fake their lab tests or lie about it altogether. Testing, when done properly, will reveal the exact composition of the Kratom and warn the company about any potential contamination. Regular testing can help ensure that contaminated products never reach the customer.

But Kratom vendors that want to sell at incredibly low prices do not always follow through on testing due to the costs, and that can be very dangerous to you.

Here at Phytoextractum, we know that lab testing is one of the most important things that Kratom companies must keep doing.

Always make sure that a site gives you information about their testing produces before you buy anything from them. If that information is not clearly available, send an email to find out how their testing works and to let them know that you care about seeing the testing results before buying.

Quality Checks & Staffing

Some vendors do not do enough random quality checks or have the proper quality assurance staffing availability to be able to sort, package, and sell their products without increasing the risks that are passed on to customers like you.

If a company is not willing to talk about their QA practices or how they ensure that every order is checked for quality and packed safely, you should keep looking for a different vendor.

Doing The Bare Minimum

The biggest way that Kratom vendors save money is simply by doing the bare minimum.

Because there aren’t many official regulations in place about how vendors must source, store, test, or sell Kratom products, there is no reason for vendors to do more than that if their main priority is their profit margin.

Until regulation and rules become required, however, there are ways that the Kratom industry is working to self regulate.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

AKA’s GMP Standards

AKA, also known as the American Kratom Association, is leading the pack to ensure that Kratom consumers aren’t left in the dark about what goes into their products and whether or not it is safe. After all, customers have a right to know exactly what they are taking and how it moved through the supply chain.

AKA has a program called GMP Standards. These standards represent the manufacturing practices that specialists at AKA have determined should be followed to ensure that a truly uncontaminated product is sold every single time.

Joining this program is voluntary and costs the company a bit of money. We happily signed up and are now proud to be one of the certified Kratom sellers through AKA!

Companies that care more about making more money and less about fixing their cheap Kratom problem, however, will not have joined this program. Keep this program in mind as a factor to consider when you choose which company to buy from next time.

You Deserve Safety

Here at Phytoextractum, we understand the power of Kratom, and we also understand the power that we have when it comes to your Kratom experience. We want every single experience to be perfect, and for that reason, we’ve put the time and resources necessary into creating a safe and secure supply chain.

The next time you’re trying to buy the cheapest Kratom that you can possibly find, remember that not all Kratom companies are created equal, and not all companies will treat you equally, either. Do you want to be treated like nothing more than a way to make some extra money? We didn’t think so.

Leave the cheap Kratom in the past, and find the company that cares about you!