Leaf of Life LLC
FDA issued a warning letter to Leaf of Life LLC (St. Louis, MO, United States) on Aug 4, 2022, citing 21 CFR 201.5. Subject: Unapproved New Drugs, Misbranded.
From the letter: “The claims on your website establish that these products are drugs under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)] because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation…”
FDA published a close-out letter on Jan 23, 2023. The findings below are from the original warning letter.
At a glance
What a reviewer notes before reading: findings, citations, the response deadline and what the letter warns of.
- Violations
- 1 finding · 1 issue type
- Cited
- 21 CFR 201.5
- Response due
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
- FDA asks for
- 1 actions
- Named as possible actions
- Seizure, injunction
- Issued by
- Office of Human and Animal Food- West Division II
- Published status
- Close-out Jan 23, 2023
AI assisted findings
Model-assisted reading of each issue. Open one to see the FDA text it comes from, and check it against the full letter.
01Labeling, claims & marketing · 21 U.S.C. 321(p), 21 U.S.C. 331(d), 21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1), 21 U.S.C. 331(a)The products are unapproved new drugs and misbranded due to disease claims on the website and YouTube video.
The claims on your website establish that these products are drugs under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)] because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
What FDA requested
- Please notify FDA in writing of the specific steps you have taken to address any violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you cannot complete corrective actions within fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will do so. If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for your consideration.
FDA Warning Letter
29 paragraphs · 3 sectionsText as published on FDA.gov, retrieved Sep 8, 2026. Layout added for reading; the wording is FDA’s. View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
1Introduction
1 paragraph
This letter is to advise you that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your website at the Internet address https://www.kokatonic.com in July 2022 and has determined that you take orders there for the products Kokatonic 50 grams Coca Leaf Powder, HOJA DE COCA NATURAL EN POLVO Delisse (Fresh New) 250g/Bag Coca Powder, and Delisse HOJA DE COCA MICROPULVERIZADO Del CUSCO al MUNDO Harina del LOS Inkas 100% Natural 500 grams Coca Leaf Powder Bulk. The claims on your website establish that these products are drugs under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)] because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. As explained further below, introducing, or delivering these products for introduction into interstate commerce for such uses violates the FD&C Act. You can find the FD&C Act and FDA regulations through links on FDA’s home page at www.fda.gov.
2Unapproved New Drugs
14 paragraphs
Examples of some of the website claims that provide evidence that your products are intended for use as drugs include:
The following statements were found under the benefits tab of your website:
Coca [an ingredient in the products Kokatonic 50 grams Coca Leaf Powder, HOJA DE COCA NATURAL EN POLVO Delisse (Fresh New) 250g/Bag Coca Powder, and Delisse HOJA DE COCA MICROPULVERIZADO Del CUSCO al MUNDO Harina del LOS Inkas 100% Natural 500 grams Coca Leaf Powder Bulk] “is a plant with a complex array of mineral nutrients, essential oils, and varied compounds with greater or lesser effects. It can:
Reduces Eating Anxiety Issues
Regulates Blood Glucose
Lower Risks of Cardiovascular Disease
Regulates Blood Pressure
Extraordinarily Combats Anemia
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Relief
On your YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ulGmMXVi8s, the video titled Kokatonic Coca Leaf Song Instrumental Official Video posted on Sep 25, 2019, states the following:
“COCA LEAF REDUCES EATING ANXIETY ISSUES” at approximately 0:43sec in the video
“COCA LEAF LOWERS RISKS OF CARDIVASCULAR DISEASE” at approximately 1m:28sec in the video
“COCA LEAF REGULATES BLOOD PRESSURE & BLOOD GLUCOSE” at approximately 1m:45sec in the video
Your Kokatonic 50 grams Coca Leaf Powder, HOJA DE COCA NATURAL EN POLVO (Fresh New) 250g/Bag Coca Powder Delisse, and Delisse HOJA DE COCA MICROPULVERIZADO Del CUSCO al MUNDO Harina de LOS Inkas 100% Natural 500 grams Coca Leaf Powder Bulk products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, these products are “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. 321(p)]. With certain exceptions not applicable here, new drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from FDA, as described in sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the FD&C Act [ 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and 355(a)]. FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data and information demonstrating that the drug is safe and effective.
3Misbranded Drugs
6 paragraphs
A drug is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)] if the drug fails to bear adequate directions for its intended use(s). “Adequate directions for use” means directions under which a layperson can use a drug safely and for the purposes for which it is intended (21 CFR 201.5). Prescription drugs, as defined in section 503(b)(1)(A) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 353(b)(1)(A)], can only be used safely at the direction, and under the supervision, of a licensed practitioner.
Your Kokatonic 50 grams Coca Leaf Powder, HOJA DE COCA NATURAL EN POLVO Delisse (Fresh New) 250g/Bag Coca Powder, and Delisse HOJA DE COCA MICROPULVERIZADO Del CUSCO al MUNDO Harina del LOS Inkas 100% Natural 500 grams Coca Leaf Powder Bulk” products are intended for treatment of one or more diseases that are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Therefore, it is impossible to write adequate directions for a layperson to use your products safely for their intended purposes. Accordingly, Kokatonic 50 grams Coca Leaf Powder, HOJA DE COCA NATURAL EN POLVO Delisse (Fresh New) 250g/Bag Coca Powder, and Delisse HOJA DE COCA MICROPULVERIZADO Del CUSCO al MUNDO Harina del LOS Inkas 100% Natural 500 grams Coca Leaf Powder Bulk fail to bear adequate directions for their intended use and, therefore, the products are misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)]. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of these misbranded drugs violates section 301(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 331(a)].
This letter is not intended to be an all-inclusive statement of violations that may exist in connection with your products. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations.
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. Failure to adequately address this matter may result in legal action including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.
Within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, please notify FDA in writing of the specific steps you have taken to address any violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you cannot complete corrective actions within fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will do so. If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration.
Your written response should be sent to the following address: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 8050 Marshall Drive, Suite 205, Lenexa, Kansas 66214, to the attention of Bruce E. Taylor, Compliance Officer. If you need additional information or have questions concerning any products distributed through your website, please contact CO Taylor at 913-495-5114 or at the above address or via email at: bruce.taylor@fda.hhs.gov.
Citations and trends
Each 21 CFR section, ISO 13485 clause and issue type in this letter, how often it appears across all letters, and its trend by the year FDA issued the letters. 2026 runs to Nov 3, 2026, compared with the same dates last year. Select a row or a bar to see those letters in Letters. As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current requirements.
Regulations
Issue types
Record details
- Issuing center
- Office of Human and Animal Food- West Division II
- Issuing office
- Office of Human and Animal Food- West Division II
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, United States
- Letter posted date
- Sep 6, 2022
- Letter issue date
- Aug 4, 2022
- Addressed to
- CEO
- Inspection dates
- Not recorded
- Response window
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
Read the source clause
Within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, please notify FDA in writing of the specific steps you have taken to address any violations.
- Record length
- 1,028 words · 2 recorded redactions
- Published status
- Close-out published Jan 23, 2023
- FDA reference
- 619191
- Original letter
- View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Dataset last checked
- Nov 11, 2026 · How this is built
A response window is not a calculated due date. Source excerpts are selected passages. Finding interpretations and categories are model-assisted. Verify the original letter before relying on a finding.