Kratom Beverages Online: Marketing Narratives, Content, Dosing, and Potential Risks

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Consumer Product Safety

Background:

• The market for pre-made kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) beverages has grown significantly in recent years.
• These products are widely available in various retail and online platforms.
• Current understanding of kratom beverage marketing, content, and dosage information is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the online marketing strategies of pre-made kratom beverages in the U.S.
• To assess the transparency of kratom content, dosage information, and serving sizes.
• To identify potential public health risks associated with these products.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of front labels and websites for 107 ready-to-drink kratom products.
• Utilized Python-based web scraping and manual image inspection.
• Examined marketed benefits, ingredients, dosage recommendations, and FDA disclaimers.

Main Results:

• Kratom content varied widely (20-500 mg) using non-standardized terms.
• Serving sizes ranged from 1 to 15 servings per drink.
• Marketing emphasized natural qualities and wellness claims, with inconsistent dosing information.

Conclusions:

• Significant variability in kratom content, dosage, and serving size necessitates stronger regulatory oversight.
• Policies should mandate standardized labeling, transparent descriptions, and evidence-based dosing recommendations.
• Clear marketing guidelines are needed for kratom beverages marketed as natural or wellness products.