BOP faces scrutiny over exclusive deal to sell nicotine pouches to prisoners
Summary
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) agreed to sell flavored nicotine pouches called "mindSHFT" exclusively in all federal prison commissaries. The product is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not sold commercially. After concerns from a federal whistleblower, the BOP has paused the sales and is reviewing the arrangement.Key Facts
- The nicotine pouches are sold only through BOP commissaries in 118 federal prisons.
- The product brand "mindSHFT" is not FDA-approved and is not available for sale outside prisons.
- The supplying company, SHFT Enterprise Holdings LLC, was created shortly after BOP requested vendors for nicotine pouch products.
- BOP did not issue a public formal contract but announced SHFT as the sole vendor in July 2024.
- Inmates pay $9.10 per tin; the BOP pays $6.99 per tin, and the product has sold quickly in prisons.
- A federal whistleblower raised concerns that these unapproved products could harm inmate health and safety.
- BOP has stopped purchasing and selling the nicotine pouches while reviewing FDA advice and product safety.
- No illnesses or adverse effects have been reported so far from use of the product in prisons.
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