Good Manufacturing Practice Standards in the Kratom Industry

Kratom is relatively new to the US market, and this means that it does not have the same regulations at the federal level as other substances. When it comes to the standards of purity and quality, it is the responsibility of the kratom vendors rather than the Food & Drug Administration.

Because kratom is becoming more popular and sought after, those who are producing the kratom realize how important it is to create good manufacturing practices. If there are not proper practices in place, it could put those who are buying kratom at risk. This is the last thing the manufacturers want. It is therefore important to develop and follow good manufacturing practice standards in the industry.

What Does Good Manufacturing Practices Mean?

The term Good Manufacturing Practice, commonly called GMP, are the standards that manufacturers should use to ensure quality for the goods they create. Typically, the goods in question are food, beverages, and supplements. Keep in mind that depending on the industry, the MGP can vary. Typically, the practices are in place to help guarantee that the products a company produces are made in an environment that is free from contaminants and that is sanitary.

The guidelines will often include controlled production areas. There will be records of manufacture for the products that are produced, as well as a designated recall system in case there is an issue. Additionally, GMPs will have a documented process for the instructions and procedures that are used.

Typically, the FDA ensures GMPs are followed for many industries in the United States. However, due to the newness of kratom in the market, there are not currently any GMP standards for kratom, which is why it is up to the individual manufacturers.

The Importance of GMP for Kratom

Consumers who are buying kratom from online vendors are trusting that the products they are buying are safe to use. Because there are no regulations for kratom currently, these buyers are putting their health on the line since there are no standards put in place at the federal level currently. While many manufacturers are creating quality products in clean environments, this is not always the case. Some producers of kratom may have safety issues that could put their customers at risk.

Over the past several years, there have been incidences of problems with kratom produced by some manufacturers. Dozens of contamination reports have come to light, and the main cause of this problem stems from salmonella. The salmonella bacteria has caused those who have used the low-quality products to develop a range of symptoms associated with salmonella, such as high fever, stomach pain, and vomiting.

To help deal with those outbreaks of salmonella, the FDA has recalled kratom products from those manufacturers to help keep the public safe. The types of issues that have been happening with kratom could be all but eliminated if good kratom manufacturing practices were put into place and followed.

As kratom becomes more and more popular for potential buyers, it becomes more important than ever to ensure that there is some sort of standard for manufacturers. Without guidelines in place, there will likely be subpar manufacturers who are producing kratom that is not safe for use. This means more recalls, and those recalls become the narrative of kratom rather than the benefits that it can provide.

What Will Happen with GMP Standards for Kratom?

Even though the FDA has still not made any announcement that there will be GMP standards for kratom, other organizations are acting to make progress in this area. They hope to help ensure the safety of the products that are being created and to provide some additional protection for those who want to use kratom.

The American Kratom Association has stepped up and introduced a GMP Certification Program for kratom supplements and products in 2018. The goal of the program was to create quality guidelines that manufacturers could all get behind and start using. This included guidelines for manufacturing, labeling, and verifying kratom products in the United States. They aimed to make sure that the guidelines were even stricter than FDA standards for other products.

There is a huge benefit to having guidelines that are stricter than the types of standards the FDA typically uses for other types of products. It means that those companies that are now following the guidelines put forth by the AKA would not have any trouble adhering to standards that might be put into place in the future by the Food & Drug Administration.

They also believe that by making the guidelines as strict as possible now, it could help to make the products created safer for those who want to take the supplement. They also feel that by creating these standards that those in the industry can follow, it will help manufacturers to be more vigilant in regulating their internal practices, as well as improve their accountability.

Of course, just because the American Kratom Association has created the certification program, it does not mean that all of the manufacturers are currently using it. This is why buyers need to be careful about where they get their kratom.

Always Choose the Best Kratom

Because there are no manufacturing standards in the kratom industry right now, it can be difficult for buyers to know whether they are buying a quality product or not. It is important to ensure that the products you choose are from a reliable resource. Before you buy any kratom, you should make sure that you learn more about how they manufacture the produces to help ensure your safety. Look for companies that test their products and make them in a clean and hygienic facility.

Those who want quality products and who want to know more about what they are buying can get in touch to get the answers they need. Do your due diligence, so you can be sure you are getting a quality product that will meet your needs and be safe to burn.