Majority of melatonin supplements mislabeled, new study finds

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Melatonin supplements mislabeling overview: 

• Who: A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) looked at whether melatonin gummy supplement products were correctly declaring how much CBD and melatonin they contain.
• Why: The study revealed the majority of melatonin gummy products sold in the U.S. are inaccurately labeled, with most exceeding the declared amount of CBD and melatonin.
• Where: Melatonin gummy products are used by consumers nationwide. 
• What are my options: Melatonin products are available from Nature Made.

Twenty-two out of 25 U.S.-sold melatonin supplement gummy products analyzed by a team of researchers were found to have been mislabeled, according to a study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 

Of the 25 melatonin products included in the study, only three were found to contain a quantity of melatonin that was within 10% — higher or lower — of the amount the manufacturer had declared. 

Further, for five melatonin gummies that declared having CBD as an ingredient, the actual amount of the cannabis compound found ranged from 104% to 118% of the labeled amount.

“The great majority of melatonin gummy products were inaccurately labeled, with most products exceeding the declared amount of melatonin and CBD,” the study states. 

Traces of serotonin were not found among the melatonin gummies, according to the study, which said the decision to screen for the monoamine neurotransmitter was based on it previously being found as a contaminant in melatonin products. 

Researchers acknowledge limitations to study, including sample size

Melatonin products are sold over the counter as dietary supplements or food and used most commonly to help with sleep, stress and relaxation, according to the study. The products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

Researchers acknowledge there were limitations to the study, including that it involved a small sample size and that only melatonin gummy products were analyzed. 

“It is not known if the results are generalizable to melatonin products sold as tablets and capsules in the U.S. or if the quantity of melatonin within an individual brand may also vary from batch to batch,” the study states. 

Due to the results of the study, however, the researchers told clinicians to advise parents that pediatric use of melatonin gummies may result in the ingestion of an unpredictable amount of CBD and melatonin. 

Last month, Olly Public Benefit Corp. asked a California federal court to remove two plaintiffs from a class action lawsuit accusing the company of understating the amount of melatonin that is in its sleep supplements. 

Have you used a melatonin gummy product? Let us know in the comments!

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