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A feel good herbal supplement is facing backlash online after a number of social media users shared their stories of addiction and terrifying health effects. Feel Free drinks are sold at many gas stations and retailers across the United States. That is where influencer Misha Brown first heard of the product. On July 25, he posted a now-viral video recounting how a teenage boy tried stealing his wallet outside a gas station after he refused to purchase a Feel Free tonic for the boy. After Brown informed the cashier about what had just transpired, she pointed to some bottles of Feel Free and told him that people were coming in multiple times a day to purchase the product. Its so addictive and people lose their minds, Brown recalled the attendant telling him. His video now has over 23 million views and has sparked a wave of media attention. Social media users and experts alike are warning people about the addictive effects of products containing kratom, NBC News reported. Launched in 2020, the drink is advertised online as for whenever you want a mood lift, a caffeine-free energy boost, or a little extra focus. Notably, the ingredients in Feel Frees Classic tonic include kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia thats known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. Concerns around the ingredient and its effects are not new. Scott Gottlieb, then commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said in 2018 that evidence pointed to the presence of opioid compounds in kratom, that it acts in the brain the same way as opioids do, and that it comes with “potential for abuse. It is currently banned in five states, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. On Reddit, a group dedicated to quitting Feel Free currently has more than 5,000 followers. Users have shared experiences that include skin infections, seizures, and stints in rehab. These drinks are insane and not only leave you financially ruined but also physically and mentally, one user wrote in a recent post. Botanic Tonics, the company behind Feel Free, agreed to pay $8.75 million to settle a 2023 class action lawsuit that claimed it failed to warn consumers about the dangers of kratom. Without admitting wrongdoing, the company has since updated its labels to warn that the drink may, in fact, be habit-forming. People with a history of substance abuse are advised to avoid using it. Fast Company has contacted Botanic Tonics for comment. In July, the FDA announced that it is recommending scheduling action to control products containing 7-OH, a byproduct of the kratom plant. This recommendation does not apply to natural kratom leaf products. Following the announcement, Feel Free wrote that its Feel Free Classic tonic contains only natural leaf kratom, meaning the FDAs proposed action would not affect the drink. 7-OH products bear absolutely no resemblance to the natural leaf kratom products that are used by more than 23 million Americans, the company states.
Category:
E-Commerce
Pumpkin spice lovers rejoice! While we’re still battling the summer heat, Krispy Kreme just brought back the iconic fall flavor in its doughnuts and drinks. But you’ll need to act fast. In a recent announcement, the doughnut giant said its Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed doughnut will be available August 11 through August 17. So, those who want to get their hands on the fall favorite will have one week to snag one. Krispy Kreme has also brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Coffee (hot or cold), and Pumpkin Spice Cake doughnut. Beginning August 11, all three will be available throughout the entire fall. “Pumpkin spice fans are counting down the days to their favorite season, and were happy to kick it off by bringing back our Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed doughnutearlier and for a longer period,” said Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme’s chief brand and product officer. “But it wont be around long. Let pumpkin spice season begin!” Krispy Kreme is not the only fast-food restaurant getting an early jump on pumpkin spice items. Starbucks already announced that its PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) will return earlier than usual this year, too. While it usually doesn’t hit the menu until September, this year the drink will be on sale August 26. Starbucks said in the announcement that the flavor is already available in stores in the form of coffees and creamers.Dunkin’ is about to drop its fall menu as well, according to Markie Devo, a popular food blogger who’s known for having the inside scoop on food releases. The drop is said to be scheduled for August 20 (Dunkin’ hasn’t confirmed or denied the menu or launch date) and, according to Devo, will include Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts, doughnut holes, and the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, made with “pumpkin swirl, vanilla shot, milk, espresso, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar.” Love it or hate it, the return of pumpkin spice offerings is always highly anticipated. And in recent years, the popularity of the flavor has meant its return has come earlier and earlier. The pumpkin pie spice market is projected to reach $1.1 billion this year, and $2.2 billion by 2032, according to Coherent Market Insights. While some people might feel that summer is a tad too early to enjoy pumpkin flavorsand others say climate change has destroyed pumpkin spice season altogethertheir arrival on menus does serve as a reminder that colder weather is on its way. But for some die-hard Pumpkin Spicers, the doughnuts and drinks bring back the feeling that autumn has already arrived, no matter what the calendar says.
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E-Commerce
Paramount will become the new home to Ultimate Fighting Championship events across the U.S. next year, through a seven-year agreement announced with TKO Group on Monday. The news comes just days after Skydance and Paramount officially closed their $8 billion merger kicking off the reign of a new entertainment giant after a contentious endeavor to get the transaction over the finish line. Under the deal with UFC, Paramount will exclusively distribute UFCs full lineup of its 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights on its streaming platform Paramount+ with select numbered events also set to simulcast on CBS starting in 2026. It’s a shift away from the UFCs existing pay-per-view model, which Paramount and TKO say will allow the mixed martial arts programming to reach more consumers nationwide. Paramounts advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms,” David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, said in a statement. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFCs year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.” Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, added that the deal will mean deeper engagement for UFCs passionate fan base and that its athletes “will love this new stage. UFC events currently air on ESPN which has offered tiered pricing for fans to view content across the sports network’s TV offerings and streaming platform ESPN+ since 2019. UFC’s partnership with Disney-owned ESPN runs through the end of 2025. The seven-year deal between Paramount and TKO has an average annual value of $1.1 billion, the companies said Monday marking a notable jump from the roughly $550 million that ESPN reportedly pays each year for UFC coverage today. But UFC’s new home on Paramount will simplify offerings for fans with all content set to be available on Paramount+ (which currently costs between $7.99 and $12.99 a month), rather than various pay-per-view fees. Paramount also said it intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future. While now a done deal, the path towards approval for the Paramount and Skydance merger was far from smooth sailing. Months of scrutiny and turmoil surrounded the transaction particularly amid President Donald Trumps legal battle with 60 Minutes, the crown jewel of Paramount-owned broadcast network CBS. With the specter of the Trump administration potentially blocking the hard-fought deal with Skydance, Paramount agreed to pay a $16 million settlement to the president in early July. The deal later received regulatory approval from the Trump administration. Trump has long been friends with UFC CEO Dana White and routinely attends UFC events. Last month Trump said that hes thinking of staging a UFC match on the White House grounds with upwards of 20,000 spectators to celebrate 250 years of American independence. Trump announced his plan in Iowa during the kickoff for a years worth of festivities to celebrate Americas 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. White said in a post on social media platform X that the deal with Paramount will make it more affordable and accessible for U.S. consumers to watch UFC events. This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world, he wrote. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport. Aside from the UFC, TKO also houses the WWE and has been actively working out deals for the sports entertainment company. Last week Disney announced an agreement with WWE that will see its premium live events, like WrestleMania , streamed by ESPN. Disney subsidiary ESPN struck a rights agreement with TKO Groups WWE to become the exclusive U.S. domestic streamer of the sports entertainment companys premium live events starting next year. Aside from gaining access to WrestleMania, ESPN will also air marquee events such as the Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. The wrestling events will be available on ESPNs new streaming service, which is set to launch next month, with select ESPN cable channels also airing them. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but The Wall Street Journal said that its a five-year deal worth more than $1.6 billion. Shares of TKO jumped over 7% in midday trading on Monday. Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Michelle Chapman, AP business writers
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E-Commerce
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