Eat Pray Poo Part Two: Fecal Contamination in Kratom Products
Here we go again: another recall of so-called “herbal supplement” kratom powders for Salmonella contamination. The FDA recall notice is a reminder that products labeled “natural” and “supplement” are not exempt from fecal-borne risks.
Vanguard Enterprises LLC (dba Bedrock MFG) recalled multiple lots of its Monarch Premium Kratom powders (Bali Gold, Red Bali, Green Maeng Da, White Elephant) on October 28, 2025 due to potential Salmonella. Read the FDA’s lot details and distribution notes in the same official alert.
Let’s call this exactly what it is: fecal contamination. Salmonella spreads via fecal matter or cross-contamination in processing. The fact that a “wellness” powder can carry that risk is not just alarming — it is unacceptable.
When Upton Sinclair Meets the Herbal Aisle
Think of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle — “I aimed for the public’s heart and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” A century later, our version is the supplement aisle: bagged powders shipped and sold as “safe” while basic sanitation is still optional.
What the Science Shows
Scientific reviews continue to flag microbial risks in plant-based supplements, including kratom, when manufacturing controls are weak. See, for example, this PubMed-indexed analysis on supplement quality and contamination risks: PubMed 41035495.
When we talk about supplements, we talk about a system with little pre-market oversight and inconsistent testing. Why are kratom powders being treated like vitamins when they pose the same microbial hazards as poorly handled herbs and spices?
Why This Matters for Families
- Children, older adults, and immunocompromised people face higher risks of severe Salmonella infection (sepsis, reactive arthritis, endocarditis) — see the FDA recall advisory linked above.
- Kratom products are often purchased online or in small retailers with minimal quality controls. This recall exposes weak spots in the supply chain.
- “Natural” labeling creates a false sense of safety. This recall says: don’t trust the marketing — verify the safety.
Actions for Parents & Policymakers
- Support a full ban on kratom and its alkaloids. No amount of labeling, testing, or “age limits” can make a product born of opioid chemistry and recurrent fecal contamination safe for public sale. MAHA stands for prohibition, not regulation.
- Remove it from your home and community. Check every cabinet against the FDA recall and discard all packets, capsules, or gummies. “No symptoms yet” is not safety — it is chance. See the official recall: FDA Recall Notice.
- Press lawmakers to act decisively. Urge state and federal leaders to classify kratom and its metabolites, including 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I substances. Use MAHA tools to send letters and coordinate testimony: Form Letters • Take Action.
- Hold companies accountable. Push for substantial fines, license revocations, and criminal penalties for manufacturing, importing, or selling adulterated or unapproved kratom products. Families deserve prevention, not apologies.
- Educate your community. Share the FDA link and MAHA’s updated Evidence & Data on kratom. Remind families that fecal contamination is not an accident — it is a failure of ethics and enforcement. Sanitation is not optional.
Bottom Line
This recall is not a fluke. It is a symptom of a system that treats psychoactive botanical powders as “supplements” instead of potential public-health threats. The gap between marketing and safety is enormous. Families deserve better. Kids deserve better.