WASHINGTON — U.S. health authorities are sounding alarm bells over a potentially harmful opioid-related ingredient found in various energy drinks, gummies, and supplements. They are recommending a nationwide prohibition on this chemical, known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, which has been increasingly linked to health risks in consumers.

This substance is a component of kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia that has gained traction in the United States as an alternative remedy for pain, anxiety, and substance dependence. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently highlighted this ingredient as posing significant dangers and announced its intent to place 7-OH on the federal government’s list of most tightly controlled substances alongside drugs like heroin and LSD.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary indicated that 7-OH can be more potent than morphine, underscoring the need for stringent regulations to avert a further escalation of the opioid crisis. The FDA’s findings will be evaluated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which governs federal classifications for high-risk drugs. However, any formal ban will not take effect until new regulatory frameworks are established.

Federal scrutiny of kratom dates back nearly a decade, ignited by reports of addiction, overdose, and adverse health effects. Advocates for kratom argue that it could provide a safer option to prescription opioids, which have fueled a widespread addiction epidemic. Nevertheless, dietary supplement companies selling kratom have urged the FDA to take action against products containing 7-OH, characterizing them as a concentrated and potentially dangerous derivative of the plant.

In recent weeks, the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies selling products infused with 7-OH, asserting these items break FDA regulations by lacking safety evaluations and falsely claiming to treat medical conditions. Industry leaders welcomed these actions, suggesting they reflect a proactive approach to safeguarding consumers. Ryan Niddel, a representative from a Utah-based kratom supplement company, praised the FDA’s initiative as a necessary measure for consumer protection.

On the other hand, organizations like the American Kratom Association have lobbied against stricter regulations on kratom, advocating for legislation that protects its status as a dietary supplement. Nearly a decade ago, the federal government attempted to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug, a move that was halted after public outcry, including a sizable petition signed by members of Congress.

The FDA’s ongoing investigation of kratom has yielded consistent findings, indicating that the plant contains opioid-like compounds similar to those found in prescription painkillers and illicit substances. Over recent months, the FDA has also expanded its warnings to cover other unapproved supplements resembling the effects of opioids, collectively referred to as “gas station heroin,” which have faced varying degrees of state-level restriction.

As health officials continue to grapple with the implications of these substances, regulators are urging consumers to exercise caution and remain informed about the potential dangers associated with unapproved supplements that are increasingly prevalent in convenience stores and gas stations across the nation.