Asheville supplement maker joins recall; 5 sickened in NC

The national recall of herbal supplements that include kratom now includes a North Carolina manufactuer. Pious Lion, an Asheville company, pulled two kratom power products from shelves, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Since February, 130 people have been sickened nationwide, 5 of them in the Tar Heel State, from salmonella in kratom products, suffering symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Kratom is popular as an herbal pain reliever, and it comes in the form of pills, powers and teas.

Pious Lion recalled two powers products:

1 oz. Pure Premium Potent Limited Release Pink Bali

4 oz. Pure Premium Potent White Maeng DA, Bright Uplifting Energy

In an alert about the recall, Joe Reardon, assistant commissioner in the Department of Agriculture, said, “This is a very serious issue, and consumers should take immediate action if they have these products in their homes. Consumers are advised to discard these products and are warned not to consume them.”

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb has said, "There is no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use" and likened its chemical compounds to opioids.