Portland business recalls kratom powder linked to salmonella

Two Clark County residents are among the nearly 90 people sickened by salmonella bacteria in a national outbreak linked to kratom.

State and federal health officials recommend people not consume kratom — a plant consumed for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute — or any products containing kratom because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

To date, 87 people in 35 states have been linked to the outbreak. Washington has identified 10 cases, including two in Clark County. The local cases include a woman in her 50s who was hospitalized for her illness and a man in his 30s who was not hospitalized, according to the state Department of Health.

A Portland-based business, PDX Aromatics, has issued a recall of certain kratom-containing powder products that may be contaminated with salmonella. The products — sold in 28-gram, 56-gram and 112-gram packages — are from the brands Kraken Kratom, Phytoextractum and Soul Speciosa and were sold online between Jan. 18 and Feb. 18. The recall includes an estimated 10,000 items, according to the Food and Drug Administration recall website.

PDX Aromatics identified a supplier as a source of salmonella and has since removed that supplier from its supply chain, as well as all associated products from its facility, according to the Food and Drug Administration recall website.

Kratom is not regulated or safety-tested by any U.S. agency.

The first illnesses linked to the kratom outbreak were reported in late January. Of the 87 people sickened, 27 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Washington has more cases in the outbreak than any other state. California has six cases; Oregon has four.

Symptoms of salmonella illness include severe or bloody diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. Those most at risk for severe illness are people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, children younger than 5 and older adults.