Safety standards and packaging requirements for MIT Kratom

Touted as a natural remedy with a variety of applications, Kratom is making a comeback as a popular choice for self-medication and recreational use. Though regulated and not FDA-approved, the gem of Mitragyna speciosa has given rise to a separate industry booming with infused products, beverages, powders, and capsules.

Despite its time-honored use in traditional medicine, there are divergent views on this botanical, with psychoactive constituents responsible for effects ranging from uplifting and euphoric to anxiolytic and sedative. One of the main reasons for that – and a bunch of misconceptions about its use and benefits – is as simple as misleading labels and packages.

Because there are no well-defined federal and local regulations on packaging requirements for MIT Kratom, it has often been advertised and labeled as an all-natural dietary or nutritional supplement. This fact, along with the absence of relevant warnings, has resulted in misuse, abuse, overdoses, and severe adverse reactions.

If the botanical is legal in your area, make sure to adopt proper packaging and labeling. This blog will help you get started.

Aligning with the AKA and KCPA

Kratom stimulants are legal in the majority of states, but their safety emerges as the primary concern. In the past, there was no control or information on the source, processing, and purity of the raw material for Kratom products, often found to be adulterated with other substances or containing heavy metals and contaminants. Some were even made with synthetic alkaloids rather than from the actual plant material. The worst part? Distributors and retailers were not held to any testing or labeling standards.

The American Kratom Association (AKA) was created to make up for the absence of federal regulatory oversight and aid in:

• Preventing contamination and adulteration in Mitragyna speciosa products 
• Regulating the safety and purity of alkaloids and other ingredients
• Ensuring responsible and informed uses of Kratom products
• Minimizing the risks of exposure of individuals under legal age
• Mandating specific MIT Kratom packaging requirements (Kratom Consumer Protection Act – KCPA)

Currently, the legal status of this botanical and its safety profile depend on a jurisdiction. It does not meet the definition of a controlled drug nor a dietary supplement, remaining unregulated in many locations or sold under the radar as a cosmetic or aromatherapy additive.

When it comes to safety and packaging MIT Kratom requirements, 13 states have either adopted those specified in the KCPA or created their own guidelines and restrictions regarding:

• Testing and registration
• Manufacturing and formulating
• Approved delivery forms
• Approved content of mitragynine
• Shipping and retailing
• Packaging and labeling

That said, some states and cities outlaw Kratom as an intoxicating, potentially dangerous, and addictive substance or classify it as a synthetic drug (more on that later). 

As a Kratom brand, you will want to follow all recommendations of the AKA and conform to KCPA or state-specific requirements. These apply to the materials you can select for your packages to prevent contamination and unexpected chemical alterations, how to ensure safe uses and reduce exposure to minors, and what must be displayed on your labels.

State-level standards for consumer confidence and regulatory compliance

At bare minimum, safe and quality Kratom options should include:

• Packaging to ward off oxidation (airtight seals, dosage caps, UV-resistant containers, resealable pouches, etc.)
• Accurate information on contents, dosage, and usage to manage intake responsibly
• Age restrictions, disclaimers, and warnings

Depending on the state, unshowy design can also be a packaging requirement for MIT Kratom. By saying “unshowy,” we mean it may be mandatory to abstain from flashy colors and attention-grabbing package styles. Instead, your packaging may be required to look neutral, adhere to a dark color scheme, and feature no words or phrases that seem to be catchy. Resemblance to a candy product and advertising in ways that could appeal to minors is prohibited in many locations.

Additional elements for tamper evidence are a common requirement for all states. They are necessary to protect consumer confidence when they choose to buy Kratom products and treat themselves to natural alkaloids. These elements may include seals, wraps, breakable closures, tear notches, and other features.

The importance of testing and COAs

Providing an accurate alkaloid composition of the product certified by third-party lab testing is essential for minimizing health risks and excessive use. Most Kratom-related accidents and severe adverse effects occur when the capsules or powders are used instead of (or together with) other medications and drugs. In addition to that, many of the Kratom products available today and marketed as natural remedies are concentrated and more potent than their source plant material.

Though Kratom is a plant-derived substance and cannot be classified as a synthetic drug, not all goods sold under that name are pure Mitragyna speciosa. Some are found to be lab-created or semi-synthetic formulas with higher levels of mitragynine.

Despite the claims that Kratom addiction is similar to caffeine addiction, it is not, and this should be taken seriously. Products that have higher concentrations of mitragynine pose a greater risk of compulsive use and other adverse reactions, especially if they contain synthetic alkaloids.

That’s why the states that ensure quality control have specific MIT Kratom packaging requirements and those for labeling, such as:

• Product COAs submitted at the point of registration or available via scannable barcodes
• Restrictions for alkaloid content
• Restrictions for levels of residual solvents
• No misleading claims on the packaging

The labels must be easy to notice and cover details on:

• The strain and form of Kratom
• Comprehensive alkaloid composition
• Full ingredient list
• Recommended serving size
• Proper usage instructions
• Manufacturer details
• Potential adverse reactions

Local labeling requirements may vary, especially when it comes to product delivery forms and allowed health claims, warnings, and statements encouraging responsible consumption.

Ask the expert

Packaging can be a lot of things, but it shouldn’t be confusing. At MYLARMEN, we are aware of each and every MIT Kratom packaging requirement and what brands must adhere to in the US. We can guide you through AKA guidelines and KCPA requirements while taking care of package design and creation. Contact us for more information.