CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — State investigators are urging Tennesseans to be cautious when buying herbal supplements after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported an increase in products labeled as “Cat’s Claw” that actually contain a kratom-derived compound.
Mislabeling raises public-safety concerns
The TBI says some items presented as Cat’s Claw — a South American vine legal to purchase and consume in Tennessee — have tested positive for MGM-15, a preparation made from kratom. Kratom remains illegal in Tennessee following a statewide ban that took effect in July.
Investigators warn the mislabeling can make it difficult for consumers to know what they are buying and putting in their bodies. The TBI has documented 18 instances since July in which tablet packs labeled as Cat’s Claw but laced with kratom were submitted to the agency’s crime lab.
“I’d like to reiterate that cat’s claw itself is legal.”
The quote above is from TBI Agent Mark Delaney, who emphasized that the plant itself remains lawful but that some products are being adulterated or mislabeled.
Health risks and local treatment concerns
Clinicians and substance-abuse counselors caution that kratom — and products derived from it — can carry serious risks. Thad Oliver, a clinician with the Center for Addiction, Drug & Alcohol Services (CADAS), told investigators he has treated many victims of kratom overdose or withdrawal and warned that inaccurately labeled tablets increase the danger.
“If you don’t know what you’re putting in your body, you can overdose from it.”
The TBI emphasized that kratom in tablet form has appeared in retail outlets and that some product packaging did not list kratom as an ingredient. The agency has issued public-safety and health-awareness bulletins advising consumers to verify sources and exercise caution.
Where to get help and what to watch for
Officials asked anyone struggling with substance use to contact statewide resources, noting the Tennessee Redline as an entry point for help. The TBI did not release the names of specific retailers where mislabeled products were found.
- Since July: 18 tablet packs labeled as Cat’s Claw and submitted to the TBI lab were found to contain kratom-derived MGM-15.
- Cat’s Claw: legal in Tennessee; typically a plant-based supplement.
- Kratom/MGM-15: illegal in Tennessee since the statewide ban in July and associated with overdose risk.
Consumers are advised to be cautious about supplement tablets and packs purchased from nonregulated sources, to retain packaging for inspection, and to seek medical help immediately if they suspect they have taken a contaminated product.
| Item | Key detail |
|---|---|
| Submissions to TBI lab | 18 instances since July |
| Illegal substance found | MGM-15 (made from kratom) |
| Legal status | Cat’s Claw: legal; kratom: illegal since July |
What this means for retailers and consumers
While Cat’s Claw itself remains legal and is commonly sold as an herbal supplement, the TBI’s findings suggest some manufacturers or distributors may be substituting or blending kratom-derived material into products without disclosure. That practice not only violates the intent of the kratom ban but creates a risk of unintentional consumption of an illegal and potentially harmful substance.
Health officials generally recommend buying supplements from reputable pharmacies or established retailers, checking for third-party testing or verification, and consulting a health-care provider before using substances that affect the nervous system.
The TBI said it is distributing the awareness bulletins to alert the public and support enforcement efforts. Anyone who believes they have purchased a mislabeled product or who needs assistance with substance use is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Redline for guidance.
State and local authorities continue to investigate the scope of the mislabeling and the supply chains that brought MGM-15-laced products to shelves.
Brandon McAllister, WE NEWS State Correspondent
