Botanic Tonics, maker of feel free, appreciates Bloomberg's examination of the complex issues surrounding kratom use and regulation in the U.S. As a company committed to consumer safety and transparency, we feel it is important to provide additional context on several key points:
1. Leaf kratom vs. extracts/synthetics: There is a critical distinction between natural leaf kratom, which has been safely used for centuries, and concentrated extracts or synthetic compounds. Our feel free CLASSIC product uses only natural leaf kratom, not potent extracts or isolates that pose greater risks.
2. Dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH): We share concerns about highly concentrated 7OH products flooding the market. Our products do not artificially boost 7OH levels, which can only be accomplished through chemical manipulation or adulteration. We strongly oppose the sale of isolated 7OH products.
3. Need for regulation: We actively support and advocate for appropriate regulation of kratom products to ensure consumer safety. This includes backing initiatives like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and supporting the FDA's clinical research efforts.
4. Consumer education: We have significantly expanded our consumer education efforts, including comprehensive information on our website about ingredients, potential risks, and responsible use guidelines.
5. Voluntary responsibility measures: We have implemented numerous voluntary measures to promote responsible use, including:
- Enhanced product labeling with detailed ingredient information and clear warnings
- Adding visible serving size indicators on bottles
- Raising our minimum purchase age to 21+
- Conducting clinical trials on our products to better understand their effects
6. Commitment to safety: All our products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility with rigorous quality control and safety testing protocols. Not all kava and kratom are created equal. Botanic Tonics goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure the highest quality and safety standards for its customers:
- cGMP certified: Our facility adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations enforced by the FDA. This certification ensures consistent quality in production processes and facilities.
- Rigorous testing: Every batch undergoes comprehensive in-house testing in our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab for purity, potency, and contaminants.
- Sustainable sourcing: We partner directly with farmers to ensure ethical and sustainable harvesting practices.
- Cutting-edge processing: Our state-of-the-art equipment preserves the natural properties of kava and kratom while eliminating impurities.
- Transparency: We provide a finished goods COA (Certificate of Analysis) that gives the specification results for bottles, lids, microbial, iron, heavy metals, pesticides and active materials.
We acknowledge that while our early marketing practices met or exceeded all requirements at the time, we now realize that those rules and best practices were not sufficient. As a result, we have taken the lead in guiding the industry towards more transparent and consumer-focused efforts to drive education and awareness.
We have worked diligently to improve transparency and prioritize consumer safety. While kratom has helped many people, we recognize it is not appropriate for everyone and can be habit-forming if misused.
We remain committed to ongoing research, education, and collaboration with regulators to ensure the safest possible market for kratom products.
Disclaimer: Consume responsibly. Adults 21 years of age and older only.
About Botanic Tonics
Disclaimer: Consume responsibly. Adults 21 years of age and older only.
About Botanic Tonics
Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, we produce kava-forward tonics under our feel free brand. Our signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.
