The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food issued a warning on July 30, 2026, regarding illegal kratom products mislabeled as cat's claw tablets that have been linked to a death and several severe health incidents in Utah. The investigation follows reports of overdose cases involving the Buzzers-brand tablets, which were found to contain illegal opioid-acting compounds.
Illegal Opioid Compounds Found
The warning from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) specifically targets Buzzers-brand Cat's Claw tablets. State officials confirmed that these products, which have been sold in Utah retailers, are mislabeled and contain illegal kratom alkaloids. The substances have been identified in multiple overdose cases in recent weeks, according to a July 30 announcement by UDAF.
Testing revealed that the products contained both mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and MGM-15. Both substances are opioid-acting compounds derived from the kratom plant. Under Utah law, specifically Title 58-37-2, these substances are classified as Schedule I drugs. The presence of these compounds in a product labeled as cat's claw is a violation of state regulations regarding mislabeled supplements.
Distinction Between Supplements
The current health crisis follows earlier warnings from the Utah Poison Control Center. On July 22, 2026, the center warned that adulterated cat's claw and kava products could cause opioid overdose. This earlier alert emphasized the danger posed by products that do not match their labeling.
While cat's claw is a woody vine and herbal supplement not expected to cause adverse effects, the Buzzers-brand tablets found in Utah contain the psychoactive compounds associated with kratom. This distinction is critical, as legitimate cat's claw products do not contain the psychoactive compounds found in and derived from kratom.
Legislative Context
The crackdown on these products follows recent legislative changes in the state. During the 2026 legislative session, Utah banned kratom products, with the exception of pure-leaf products. The presence of these alkaloids in tablets represents a direct violation of those state laws.
UDAF and the Utah Poison Control Center are working together to address the public health threat. The agency is currently working closely with retailers and law enforcement to ensure that the mislabeled products are removed from shelves and made unavailable to consumers.
Medical Guidance and Emergency Response
The Utah Poison Control Center has advised the public to administer naloxone in cases of suspected overdose involving these products. For patients experiencing opioid withdrawal due to these products, providers experienced in addiction management should treat them in the usual fashion.
Public health officials are urging anyone concerned about adverse effects from these products to contact the Utah Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. The center provides free, expert advice 24/7.
Instructions for Consumers and Retailers
UDAF has instructed all members of the public not to buy or consume Buzzers Cat's Claw tablets and has advised them to safely destroy any existing product. For proper disposal, officials recommend following guidelines for non-flushable medicine.
Retailers who find Buzzers Cat's Claw tablets in their inventories are instructed to remove the products immediately and contact UDAF's Specialized Products Division. The department is conducting ongoing investigations to determine the full scope of the distribution of these illegal items.
Ongoing Investigations
The investigation remains active as state agencies work to mitigate the impact of these illegal sales. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is coordinating with law enforcement to track the movement of the mislabeled tablets and ensure compliance with state drug laws.
Contact Information
For further information regarding the identified product and removal efforts, the public can contact Leon Page, Public Information Officer for UDAF, at 801-946-5647 or via email at lpage@utah.gov. For questions regarding overdose effects, the public can contact Sherrie Pace, Public Information Officer for the Utah Poison Control Center, at 801-587-0600 or via email at poison@hsc.utah.edu.
