TIPS ON BUYING KRATOM: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Buying kratom could be an overwhelming world to navigate. With hundreds of kratom brands out there, how do you know which one to trust? The kratom experts at Super Speciosa put together a list of tips to make your kratom-buying journey a little easier.

1. American Kratom Association Qualified Vendor

When buying kratom, one of the first things you should look for is if the company is certified by the American Kratom Association. Certified vendors must follow the AKA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Standards Program, which was developed by the AKA to ensure that the consumer is receiving safe kratom. The program establishes the exact requirements when it comes to manufacturing, testing, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, marketing, and verification, which kratom companies must strictly follow. Every part of the process is documented by the quality control team of the kratom company, and then approved by an independent 3rd party auditor. These standards also must meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) GMP criteria, which includes acquiring the proper food processing equipment and following proper record keeping. When kratom companies are certified by the AKA, it gives kratom users peace of mind knowing that their kratom is safe to consume. No certification is a big red flag. This means the kratom vendor can be packaging kratom straight from their supplier without any quality checks for contamination. These companies are known as “Garage Vendors” and should be avoided.

2. Proper Labeling

Next, you should check the label on the kratom product. Here are the main things to look for:

• Supplemental facts
• Ingredients list
• Expiration date
• Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine levels
• Reference to lab testing
• Batch number

These components show that the kratom supplier is showing full transparency of their product, and what you are exactly consuming. Like when buying packaged food, vitamins, or supplements, you want to know what ingredients are listed, what serving to take to meet your nutritional needs, and when the product expires so you’re not eating anything that’s spoiled. Kratom products should be upheld to the same standards. Having the mitragynine and 7-OH levels on the label will show you the strength of the kratom which can also help determine what serving size you should take. It also shows the company went through a lab testing process. Referring to a lab test of the particular batch, whether through a QR code or website link, shows further transparency of the product, and certifies that the batch is free of harmful contaminants. Lastly, having a batch number shows that the vendor goes through quality control procedures and shows traceability of the kratom product.

3. Third-party lab tests

Another important factor to look out for when buying kratom is to make sure the vendor has a current lab test from an accredited third-party lab for each batch of every product. Lab tests ensure safety of the kratom product as well as show compliance with regulations. The lab test should have clear indication of the third-party lab company with their address and phone number listed. The lab test should show alkaloid levels, as well as show the product is free of harmful levels of microbials, contaminants, and heavy metals. The batch number on the product should match the batch number on the lab test.

Some lab tests can be counterfeit or misleading, so make sure you do your diligent research when choosing a reliable kratom company. Reach out to the vendor to see if they can provide lab tests for specific batches. Honest, transparent companies should have no issues sharing this information. Ask the company how they go about their lab testing process. Some questions you can ask are:

• Was the kratom pasteurized before being tested?
• Was the powder blended after receiving the shipment?
• Is the kratom powder tested in small batches?
• What criteria do you use to determine if the kratom is safe to consume?

Read more about lab testing and how Super Speciosa practices quality assurance here.

4. Making claims

Be cautious of brands making any structure function, therapeutic or medical claims on their kratom product. Unless the kratom product is registered with the FDA, making claims actually goes against federal regulations. Claims cannot be made on labeling and marketing purposes, including on their website, blog posts, social media, advertisements, and even reviews (that are controlled by the vendor).

Claims can be very misleading, especially when it comes to a specific strain. There are many factors when it comes to kratom’s effects, such as serving size, tolerance level, brain chemistry, physiology, etc. What one strain might do for one individual may have a different effect for another. Learn more about kratom strains here.

5. Reviews

It’s always beneficial to check out reviews from real customers on the kratom company and their products. Check out their website to see if they offer verified reviews from their customers. There are multiple Reddit groups like r/Vendorsofkratom, that share customer experiences with different vendors. You can also check out Kratom Support Facebook groups, like Super Leaf Warriors to help find the right kratom vendor for you.