In a tragic case that has reignited scrutiny over unregulated herbal supplements, a family from Washington state is sounding the alarm on kratom, a substance often sold as a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals, after their 37-year-old son, Jordan McKibban, died from using it.

Their warning comes just as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr announces a federal crackdown on a powerful compound derived from kratom known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH.

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a plant-based product derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used in countries like Thailand and Malaysia for pain relief and energy boosts, it has in recent years gained popularity in the U.S. as an over-the-counter supplement. It's sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online in various forms, powders, pills, teas, and even gummies.

At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, while at higher doses it behaves like a sedative. However, experts warn that kratom has addictive properties, and its effects can mirror those of opioids. It is not regulated by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), and while it is legal in many parts of the U.S., the agency has described it as a “drug of concern.”

Also Read: 'Your Gut Is Your Second Brain': Why Looking Fit Can Still Mean You Are Unhealthy

What is 7-OH and How Is It Related?

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring compound found in kratom, and it is far more potent. While kratom itself contains a mixture of alkaloids, 7-OH is an isolated extract or concentrated form that interacts with the body’s opioid receptors much more strongly.

Medical experts say 7-OH can be more potent than morphine. “7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine,” FDA Commissioner Martin Makary recently stated. The FDA has proposed that 7-OH be classified as an illicit substance, citing rising concerns over its addictive potential and opioid-like effects.

A Family’s Grief and Warning

Jordan McKibban, according to his mother Pam Mauldin, was cautious about pharmaceutical medications and sought alternative solutions for managing anxiety and other health concerns. On the day of his death in 2022, he mixed kratom into his lemonade, a routine he had reportedly followed before.

Mauldin found her son unconscious and was unable to revive him. An autopsy later confirmed that his death was linked to mitragynine, one of kratom’s primary alkaloids.

“There have been hundreds of people killed from this, and they don’t pull it. The government doesn’t step in,” Mauldin told The New York Post. “I’ve lost my son. I’ve lost the grandchildren I could have had. I’ve lost watching him walk down the aisle.”

She added that the kratom packages in her son’s possession had no dosage instructions or warning labels, a dangerous loophole that remains common due to the lack of FDA regulation.

RFK Jr’s Crackdown on 7-OH

Speaking at a July 29 press conference, Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr shared his personal experience with addiction, stating that the easy availability of kratom products, many sold at gas stations and marketed in child-friendly formats like gummy bears, is “a sinister, sinister industry.”

Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary announced they were beginning the process to classify 7-OH as an illicit drug. The move, if approved by the DEA, would restrict sales and manufacturing of 7-OH-based products.

“I became an addict because heroin was so available, but I had to go to the South Bronx or the Lower East Side,” Kennedy said. “Now, you can go to any gas station. They’re marketing them to children.”

While the FDA crackdown currently targets 7-OH, not kratom in its entirety, the announcement has sparked broader concern about the regulation, or lack thereof, of over-the-counter supplements that claim to be “natural” but may carry serious health risks.

The Regulatory Grey Zone

Despite kratom’s accessibility, the FDA has not approved it for any medical uses and continues to warn consumers about potential health risks, including addiction, liver damage, and even death. Between 2011 and 2017, national poison control centers received 1,807 calls related to kratom exposure.

Dr. Robert Levy, a family and addiction physician, pointed out that many people don’t realize the distinction between traditional kratom and 7-OH. “There’s always been concern around kratom because if you take enough of it, kratom does act like an opioid. People can become addicted and have withdrawal or overdose,” he said.

He added that the 7-OH version is “much more addicting and much more problematic” and often sold without consumers’ awareness of what they’re ingesting.

A Growing National Concern

Public interest in kratom exploded recently after a viral TikTok video recounted a teenage boy attempting to steal a Feel Free tonic, a kratom-infused drink, from a stranger outside a gas station. Though the company behind the drink insists it contains only trace levels of 7-OH and now restricts sales to adults over 21, the case has highlighted the growing concern around how these products are marketed and accessed by young people.

Some companies, like Botanic Tonics, have supported the FDA’s move against synthetic derivatives like 7-OH while continuing to advocate for access to traditional kratom products with a long history of use. Still, experts argue that even natural kratom carries risk.

After a day of heavy rain, Delhi is facing a serious health concern, a sharp rise in mosquito-borne illnesses. With waterlogged streets and poor drainage, malaria cases have hit a five-year high. According to the latest data, 135 cases were reported from January 1 to August 2, marking the highest number for this period in the last five years.

What Areas In Delhi Are Seeing A Rise In Malaria Cases?

The city of Delhi is seeing a worrying increase in malaria cases. The West Zone of the city has been hit the hardest, with 30 confirmed cases. This recent data comes from different parts of Delhi, including areas managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantt, and Indian Railways.

As of August 2nd, the number of malaria cases has been growing year after year, with this year’s total of 135 cases being the highest in the last five years for the same period. City officials say this is happening because of a "perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed." They have found that common places where mosquitoes are growing include water-filled coolers, flower pots, drums, and even old tires left on rooftops.

Vector-Borne Diseases Also a Concern

Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease common in tropical countries. It is spread to people through the bite of certain types of infected mosquitoes. The good news is that malaria is both preventable and curable. Unfortunately, malaria isn't the only mosquito-related problem. Two other diseases carried by mosquitoes are also on the rise:

Chikungunya: So far this year, there have been 20 cases. The West and Central Zones of the city have each reported five cases. This is a noticeable jump from previous years, with a total of 267 cases reported in all of 2024.

Dengue: The city has also seen 291 cases of dengue. The Central Zone has the most cases, with 39. Last year, 11 people sadly died from this disease.

To fight this problem, health officials have been inspecting homes. They've found that mosquitoes are breeding in over 100,000 houses and have sent out around 76,000 legal notices to residents to clean up these spots.

Why Should Malaria Be A Cause Of Concern For People?

According to IJID Regions journal, Malaria remains a significant health challenge in India, with about 1.3 billion people at risk and over 180,000 cases reported in 2022. The Indian government has been working hard to control and reduce the number of malaria cases. This report looked closely at these efforts and found that several programs have been successful.

The Urban Malaria Scheme, which focuses on 131 cities, and the Intensified Malaria Control Project, which targets seven high-risk areas, have both been very effective.

A newer plan, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination, has also helped reduce cases in states like Odisha, which was once a major hotspot for the disease.

How to Stay Safe from Malaria?

If you think you have malaria, it's essential to get tested right away with a simple blood test. Early treatment can stop a mild case from becoming severe. Doctors will prescribe specific medicines based on the type of malaria and the person's age and health.

A major challenge in fighting malaria today is that the parasites and mosquitoes are becoming resistant to our medicines and insecticides. Scientists are working on new solutions, like new-generation mosquito nets and updated treatment plans, to combat this resistance and keep the disease under control.

You can protect yourself from malaria by avoiding mosquito bites and taking special medication, especially if you are traveling to an area where malaria is common. To avoid mosquito bites:

• Use mosquito nets when you sleep
• Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants.
• Use mosquito repellent on your skin.
• Install screens on your windows and doors.

The spread of COVID-19 is picking up speed this summer in the US. The key indicator of the virus shows that it's becoming more active, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How Are The Levels Of COVID Being Measure?

The CDC has a great way of tracking viruses: by checking our wastewater. This is a very helpful tool because it can find signs of the virus spreading in a community even before people start feeling sick and go to the doctor. In a recent update, the CDC reported that the amount of COVID-19 found in wastewater across the country has gone up from a "low" level to a "moderate" level.

This is a clear sign that the virus is becoming more common. The data also shows that the highest levels of the virus are currently in the Western part of the country. States like Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah are seeing the most activity. If you live in one of these areas, it's a good idea to be a little more careful, as the risk of getting infected is higher.

Other data also confirms the increase in cases. As of Tuesday, the CDC estimates that infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states, a jump from 40 states the previous week.

This late-summer rise is being driven in part by a new variant, XFG, or "Stratus," which is now the third-most common strain in the U.S. The variant was first found in Southeast Asia in January but didn't become a major presence in the U.S. until May. By late June, it was estimated to account for up to 14% of cases.

What Is The Current Strain Of COVID Affecting The US?

The World Health Organization explains that a new COVID-19 variant, called XFG, is now being watched closely by health experts around the world. Gavi vaccine alliance explains that Two new variants are now getting attention from scientists: NB.1.8.1, nicknamed "Nimbus," and XFG, nicknamed "Stratus."

Both variants are spreading very quickly. Since early 2025, they have spread across the globe. For example, XFG accounted for 25% of cases in Europe by late May, while NB.1.8.1 was at 11% in late April.

However, despite their rapid spread, experts say there's no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness, hospitalizations, or deaths than other versions of the virus.

XFG ("Stratus") is good at evading our immune system. It has specific mutations that help it dodge antibodies, making it harder for our bodies to fight off. However, it doesn't seem to be as good as NB.1.8.1 at infecting cells.

Is Stratus COVID Strain Dangerous?

WHO explains that the number of XFG cases is rising around the world. It’s now found in 38 countries and is growing quickly, especially in parts of Asia, the Americas, and Europe. In some countries, like India, XFG has become the main variant.

Despite this increase, experts believe the global risk of XFG is low. Early data suggests that this variant doesn’t cause more severe illness or lead to more deaths than other variants currently spreading.

Do Vaccines Work for Stratus COVID Strain?

Experts believe that the current COVID-19 vaccines will still be effective against XFG. They are expected to protect people from getting seriously sick or needing to go to the hospital.

While some countries in Southeast Asia have seen more cases and hospitalizations at the same time as XFG became more common, it's not clear if the variant itself is causing this. It's too early to say for sure how big this new wave of cases will get.

What Are The Key Symptoms of Stratus?

Doctors have reported that a standout symptom some patients with XFG have experienced a "hoarseness" feeling of scratchiness in their throat. Other symptoms include common issues like fever, chills, dry cough, fatigue, muscle ache, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Although XFG is spreading quickly, it doesn't appear to be more dangerous. The WHO continues to monitor them closely to see if that changes.

DFA Dairy Brands, LLC has recalled 324 cartons of Friendly’s 48 fl. oz. Cookies & Cream ice cream after they were incorrectly packaged in Vanilla Bean cartons that did not list soy and wheat as ingredients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that people with allergies to soy or wheat risk serious or potentially life-threatening reactions if they consume the product.

The recalled products, stamped with a best-by date of November 26, 2025, made their way to stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

This Is Not Just a Label Problem

Wheat Allergy

Wheat can hide in places you would not expect, from soy sauce and hot dogs to ice cream. It is also possible for some people to only react if they exercise within a few hours of eating wheat, a rare but dangerous condition known as wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

If you are allergic, your best defence is total avoidance, which sounds simple until you discover wheat proteins lurking in crackers, couscous, natural flavourings, and even certain cosmetics.

Soy Allergy

Reactions can be fast (IgE-mediated) or delayed (non-IgE-mediated). Quick reactions can trigger symptoms like hives, tightness in the throat, coughing, nausea, or anaphylaxis—a rapid, potentially fatal drop in blood pressure and breathing capacity. Slower reactions might mean stomach cramps, indigestion, or skin irritation over hours or days.

And soy is everywhere: tofu, soy sauce, vegetable broth, miso, protein powders, nut butters, and yes, even some ice creams. Avoiding it takes a sharp eye on labels, which is why a misprint like this is more than a minor oversight.

Anaphylaxis in the Middle of Dessert

Why This Recall Matters

For manufacturers, this case is a stark reminder that packaging checks must be airtight. For consumers, it is proof that allergen vigilance is not optional. Double-checking labels, even on trusted brands, can make the difference between a safe snack and a health crisis.

If You Bought the Affected Ice Cream