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How to Spot Fake or Low-Quality Kratom
- April 2025
- By: The Kratom Spot Team
Kratom is an all-natural herbal product used by millions of people worldwide. Like most supplements, it isn’t federally regulated in the United States. That’s why it’s vital to learn how to spot fake kratom as well as low-quality products.
The best way to avoid fake kratom or bunk kratom is to purchase your products from a reputable, American Kratom Association-certified vendor. The AKA is an advocacy group that establishes guidelines for kratom product safety, lab-testing, and quality control. Vendors who receive the AKA seal of approval go the extra mile to protect consumers from low-quality (and potentially dangerous) kratom products.
But it’s still a good idea to learn how to identify fake kratom and low-quality kratom. It will help ensure that you only purchase pure, authentic kratom products that are natural and potent. In this article, we’re sharing our best kratom safety tips to spot substandard kratom products and how to avoid them.
What are the Risks of Fake Kratom?
First, let’s talk about the risks of fake kratom. Fake or bunk kratom is a broad term that’s used to describe any kratom products that aren’t 100% pure Mitragyna speciosa. (For new kratom users, Mitragyna speciosa is the scientific name of the kratom tree. Its leaves are harvested, dried, then turned into a fine powder that’s used in kratom products.)
There are two primary risks associated with counterfeit kratom:
Hidden Fillers & Additives
On one end of the fake kratom spectrum, you’ll find products that have been diluted with fillers, bulking agents, or preservatives.
These “inactive ingredients” are commonly used in dietary supplements to extend the shelf life of an herbal product, prevent powders from clumping, or add volume to a product’s weight. Common additives include ingredients like rice fiber, psyllium husks, or silicon dioxide.
While generally harmless, these added ingredients affect the potency of kratom. You’ll need to take more kratom to get the same effects, which means you won’t get your full money’s worth compared to kratom products that are 100% natural.
Hidden additives also pose a risk to individuals who have allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients.
Undisclosed, Harmful Chemicals
On the other end of the spectrum, counterfeit kratom can be potentially hazardous. It may be diluted with more than harmless additives. Unscrupulous manufacturers add chemical extracts, synthetic drugs, or even illicit substances to boost the kratom’s effects.
Kratom mixed with other substances can lead to numerous potential health risks. In addition to allergic reactions, users who take adulterated kratom may experience unwanted side effects, harmful adverse drug reactions, or even overdose symptoms.
Fake kratom may also be much more potent than you’re used to. Even if you take your usual dose – or a smaller dose – the effects may be unexpectedly strong and overwhelming.
What About the Risks of Low-Quality Kratom?
Low-quality kratom and fake kratom aren’t mutually exclusive. As discussed above, sometimes kratom is “faked” with other substances because it’s low-quality; additives are used to disguise this.
However, sometimes low-quality kratom is still natural and unadulterated. It may simply be past its shelf life, or it may be derived from substandard, low-grade kratom leaves that were discarded from premium batches.
So low-quality kratom may not pose the same potential health risks as bunk kratom. But it’s a waste of money because it’s less potent. When kratom is past its prime, the active ingredients in the leaves (compounds called alkaloids) degrade. Essentially, it goes stale.
Anecdotally, low-quality kratom is also more likely to induce abdominal discomfort. Because users need to take more low-quality kratom to feel the same effects they’re used to, the extra dosage may irritate the user’s stomach or induce nausea.
Identifying Fake or Low-Quality Kratom
So how can you identify counterfeit kratom products, or products made from low-quality leaves? Here are the steps we recommend:
1. Check for Certifications and Lab Testing
Vendors who are AKA Certified generally include the organization’s seal on their website and packaging. An AKA-GMP Certified logo means the vendor practices quality control and sends their products for independent, third-party lab testing.
Lab testing checks kratom for several important factors:
- Does it contain any artificial ingredients?
- Is it contaminated with any heavy metals, pesticides, or pathogens?
- Is the kratom fresh and potent?
- Is it accurately labeled with the correct strain and alkaloid composition?
If a vendor doesn’t display certification seals, don’t hesitate to contact their support team and ask. It’s possible that they have received certification but haven’t updated their product labels or website yet. You can also request lab reports for kratom products.
However, if the vendor refuses to answer or won’t provide lab reports, that’s a red flag. They may be selling low-quality or counterfeit products.
3. Research the Vendor’s Reputation
Kratom users have a vibrant, active online community. Through social media sites like Reddit and forums such as Discord, you’ll find many places to chat about kratom – and kratom vendors.
When you’re thinking about purchasing kratom from a new vendor, look them up online. What are users saying about this vendor? Are there any negative reviews? If you’re not seeing anything online about a particular vendor, you can also create an account and ask for opinions.
Additionally, consider the vendor’s website. Avoid vendors that have vague production descriptions, suspiciously low prices, no list of acceptable payment methods, or no return policy. Other kratom website red flags include technical errors. If there are too many broken images or pages that don’t load, it may be a sign that the company isn’t trustworthy.
4. Examine the Product Packaging
Authentic, high-quality kratom is usually packaged with care in a professional manner. Bags will be airtight, sealed, and clearly labeled. Proper labeling includes details such as:
- Product weight by volume
- Strain name
- Country of origin
- Instructions on usage and storage
- Information about quality certifications and lab-testing procedures
If your kratom products are poorly sealed, unmarked, or missing key information, it’s a potential sign that they may be illegitimate.
5. Visually Inspect the Kratom Powder
Kratom powder has a very distinct look. Its texture should be fine and smooth, not gritty, coarse, or clump. Authentic kratom usually has a rich, earthy green color, although its coloration will vary depending on the strain. Red vein kratom often has a more reddish hue, while white vein kratom may be paler or yellowish.
If your kratom powder looks “dull,” gray, or brown, it may be inauthentic. Discoloration is a common sign of low-quality kratom or kratom powder that’s lost its freshness and potency. Fillers and chemical additives may also alter the color of kratom.
For kratom capsules, we recommend opening a few capsules to inspect the powder inside. For kratom tea leaves, examine the leafy material for signs of mold or other potential contaminants. If anything looks “off,” discard the kratom. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
6. Smell the Kratom
Pure, high-quality, natural kratom has a distinct odor. It’s earthy, yet crisp and slightly grassy – not unlike the aroma of raw green tea. So when you check your kratom for authenticity and quality, give it a gentle sniff.
If your kratom smells musty, it’s likely low-quality or contaminated with mold. If it has a chemical odor – or any scent that seems out-of-place – it’s likely been diluted with synthetic ingredients or may contain harmful pesticide residues.
7. Evaluate the Kratom’s Taste
So you’ve inspected your kratom’s appearance and aroma. If they both check out, are you in the clear? Not necessarily. The next step to identifying questionable kratom is to taste it.
First, rinse your mouth with water; you can’t do an accurate taste-test if there’s a lingering flavor in your mouth. Then, sample a tiny amount. Don’t make it a full dose. Just taste enough to get a sense of the flavor.
Keep in mind that kratom’s natural flavor is an acquired taste. Most users say that kratom tastes earthy, “leafy,” and slightly bitter. Although this isn’t the most pleasant flavor, it indicates the kratom is pure and raw.
If you taste anything else, especially anything chemical, that’s a sign that your kratom may be inauthentic or contain hidden additives. If it tastes “flat,” it may be low-quality or stale. In either case, discontinue use and discard the product.
8. Observe Effects
Assuming your kratom products pass the above tests, continue to be cautious. Any time you try a new batch of kratom, or a new strain, start with the lowest possible dose. Don’t increase your dosage until you understand how your body reacts to it.
High-quality kratom is smooth and balanced. The precise effects will vary depending upon the strain:
- Red vein kratom is more grounding and tranquil
- Green vein kratom produces a sense of clarity and well-being
- White vein kratom is uplifting, increases focus, and boosts motivation
If your kratom doesn’t deliver the expected results, it may be low-quality or impure. Unusual side effects are also a red flag for fake or bunk kratom. Headaches, nausea, allergic reactions such as swelling, or other physical symptoms may be a sign that your kratom product is counterfeit.
If you have any doubts about the effects of your kratom or your kratom purity, discontinue use immediately. Contact your doctor if you experience adverse health effects.
Choose Trustworthy Kratom Stores
When sourced from a reputable vendor and used responsibly, kratom offers numerous potential wellness benefits. It can help you focus, feel more balanced, or unwind after a long day. Many people report that using kratom makes a positive impact on their life and their health.
However, low-quality kratom or kratom adulterated with other substances may pose risks. It is often ineffective and may be potentially hazardous. That’s why it’s vital to learn how to identify adulterated or contaminated kratom and poor-quality products.
By using the steps discussed in this article and learning how to identify real kratom, you can ensure you’re always getting the highest quality, purest kratom from trusted vendors like Kratom Spot.