Mandatory Labeling of Products Containing Kratom

Mandatory Labeling of Kratom Products: How to Recognize a Legal and Safe Product?

Since the end of 2025, strict rules have applied in the Czech Republic for the sale of products containing Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). These rules, introduced by Act No. 321/2024 Coll. and Decree No. 448/2025 Coll., have one primary goal: to ensure that customers know exactly what they are buying and have a guarantee of laboratory-verified quality. If a product label lacks these mandatory requirements, the product may not be legally placed on the market.

What Must Be Clearly Visible at First Glance? (Information Hierarchy)

Legislation establishes a precise order of information that must appear in the upper part of the packaging. This block must not be interrupted by a logo or any graphics. As a customer, you should see these four lines on every legal package:

1. PSYCHOMODULATORY SUBSTANCE (dominant text at the very top).
2. KRATOM or KRATOM EXTRACT (name on a single line).
3. Form: POWDER or EXTRACT.
4. Subtype: e.g. green, white, or red.

Another highly visible element is the health warning, which must cover at least 30% of the package surface. It must be black text on a white background with the wording: “The use of this product may damage your health. Follow consumer information instructions.”.

Key Composition Information: Know What You Are Using

For your safety, it is essential to know the exact composition and strength of the product. Legal kratom labeling must include:

• Active substance content: The label must state the exact content of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in milligrams. Standard kratom is limited to a maximum of 2.5% mitragynine and 0.1% 7-hydroxymitragynine.
• Batch number: Look for a code beginning with the letter “L” (e.g. L 20251101). This code identifies the batch and allows kratom to be traced from import to final sale to the consumer.
• Package size: If you are purchasing powder, one package may not contain more than 50 g of product. For extracts, the limit is 10 g or 10 ml.
• Allergens and origin: The country of origin (e.g. Indonesia) and any allergens must be stated.

Packaging Safety: Protection for You and Your Surroundings

The packaging of a legal product also serves a protective function. Always check for these technical features:

1. Tamper evidence (seal): The packaging must be secured so that you can recognize whether it has been opened before purchase (e.g. tear ring or seal over the cap).
2. Child-resistant closure: Every package must have a safety closure that makes it difficult for children to open (e.g. a “push-and-turn” system).
3. Visual restraint: Legal kratom packaging must never contain images of fruit, candy, or cartoon characters. The packaging must remain factual and technical so that it does not attract persons under 18 years of age.

What Will You Never Find on the Packaging? (Prohibited Claims)

Because kratom is not classified in the Czech Republic as a food, medicine, or dietary supplement, the law prohibits any appealing or health-related claims on packaging. Prohibited elements include:

• Medical and health claims: Statements such as “relieves pain”, “helps against anxiety”, or “clinically tested”.
• Vitalizing claims: Words such as “energizing”, “stimulating”, or “for better performance”.
• Ecological claims: Labels such as “Bio”, “Natural”, “Eco”, or “from organic farming”.
• Economic incentives: Information about discounts, promotions, or loyalty points may not appear directly on the packaging.

Why Are Terms Like “Bio” or “Natural” Missing from the Label?

When purchasing products containing Mitragyna speciosa, customers may notice that the labels are highly factual and lack previously common descriptions such as “100% natural” or “organic”. This situation is not due to any change in product quality, but is a direct consequence of the strict rules established by Decree No. 448/2025 Coll., which regulates the labeling requirements for psychomodulatory substances (PML).

Absolute Ban on Ecological Claims

Legislation for this market segment explicitly prohibits the use of so-called ecological or natural claims on packaging, labels, or any form of presentation. Prohibited elements include:

• Words such as “Bio”, “Eco”, “Natural”, “natural”, or “natural effects”.
• References to “organic farming”.
• Any graphics or texts suggesting that the product is safe or beneficial to health because of its natural origin.

The Purpose of the Ban Is Consumer Protection

The primary purpose of this legislative restriction is to eliminate the risk that the term “natural” could create a misleading impression that the product is risk-free. There are no authorized health claims for kratom, and the law requires its presentation to remain strictly technical and factual. Any association with “nature” or “good mood” could be considered illegal advertising.

Facts and Safety Instead of Marketing

Due to these rules, legal sellers must focus their texts on safety and technical parameters rather than attractive marketing descriptions. Therefore, packaging and websites contain only concise information such as:

• Exact composition listed in descending order by weight.
• The legally required warning: “The use of this product may damage your health. Follow consumer information instructions.”.
• Information stating that the product is not a food or medicinal product and has not been clinically tested.

This approach ensures that only informed adult users purchase the product, knowing exactly what they are looking for and without being influenced by misleading claims about the substance being natural or ecological.

Mandatory Consumer Information

Every legal package contains an extensive text block called “Consumer Information”, which serves as an essential guide for safe handling. It informs you, for example:

• That long-term use of the product may lead to addiction.
• That you should avoid driving motor vehicles for at least 8 hours after use.
• That a 3-day break between individual uses is recommended.
• That the product must not be combined with alcohol, medication, or psychoactive substances.

By purchasing a product that meets all these requirements for kratom labeling, you protect your health and can be certain that you are buying a verified product from a legal distributor under the supervision of state authorities.