By Pita Ligaiula WASHINGTON, 03 April 2026 (PACNEWS) — A new Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis of U.S. poison centre data shows a marked resurgence in kava-related exposures over the past decade, and health officials are warning that a growing mix of kava with kratom is linked to more severe medical outcomes.
The CDC’s review of National Poison Data System records from 2000 to 2025 found 3,101 kava-related exposure cases over the 25‑year period, with annual reports climbing to 203 in 2025 — a 383 percent increase from 2011 levels. The agency said exposures fell after a 2002 safety warning but began rising again from about 2011, driven largely by the growing popularity of commercially produced kava products in the United States.
“Analysis of 2000–2025 National Poison Data System exposure data identified a resurgence of kava-related exposure reports since 2011, with recent exposures primarily involving men aged less than 20 years,” the CDC report said. It also flagged a worrying rise in serious medical outcomes: the proportion of cases classified as serious increased from about 12 percent in 2000 to roughly 39 percent in recent years.
The report singles out co‑use of kava with kratom — a separate psychoactive plant with opioid-like effects — as a major contributor to the trend. Since 2017, the CDC found, co‑use has risen sharply, and in 2025 accounted for about 30 percent of all kava-related exposure reports. Common effects recorded by poison centres include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and heart-related symptoms; more severe presentations have included seizures, tremors and high blood pressure, particularly when kava is combined with other substances.
CDC officials emphasised differences between traditional Pacific kava practice and commercial offerings in the U.S. Traditional consumption, typically involving freshly prepared root in ceremonial and social settings, has generally been associated with lower health risks, the report said. By contrast, many U.S. products are concentrated extracts, capsules or ready-to-drink beverages marketed as alcohol alternatives but lacking consistent regulation and standards. Those commercial formulations can contain higher concentrations of active compounds and unpredictable ingredient mixes, raising safety concerns.
The findings have immediate implications for kava-exporting nations in the Pacific, including Fiji, where kava remains a culturally important crop and an expanding export commodity. Government and industry sources in Fiji have been preparing for heightened scrutiny from overseas markets; in 2025 the Fijian government committed funding for kava research and has been drafting a Kava Bill aimed at meeting international regulatory expectations. Exporters and officials say ensuring quality control and clear labelling will be vital if Pacific producers are to retain access to key markets such as the United States.
To address the risk, the CDC recommended enhanced surveillance, heightened clinical awareness and targeted public education — particularly focused on young men and on the dangers of combining kava with other psychoactive substances such as kratom. The agency’s analysis is expected to feed into broader discussions on product regulation, import safety checks and consumer guidance in jurisdictions where commercial kava products are widely sold.
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