Natrol Class Action Challenges Biotin Supplement Health Benefits

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Natrol LLC misrepresents the health benefits of its biotin products, according to a false advertising class action lawsuit filed Monday in California federal court.

Natrol manufactures, markets, distributes and sells biotin supplements, including Biotin 5,000 mcg Fast Dissolve, Biotin 10,000 mcg Maximum Strength and Biotin 10,000 mcg Fast Dissolve.

The products’ packaging indicates that the biotin products “Promote[] Healthy Hair and Strong Nails,” and that they support energy or energy production, the Natrol biotin class action lawsuit alleges. However, Natrol’s representations about the biotin supplement health benefits are “false, misleading and reasonably likely to deceive the public,” plaintiff Jaime Jensen alleges.

According to the Natrol class action lawsuit, biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin found in many types of fruits, vegetables, salmon, liver, cereal and other types of foods. Biotin is involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and fats.

If a person’s body has sufficient levels of biotin to perform the necessary enzymatic functions, it will not use the surplus biotin, the Natrol biotin class action lawsuit states.

Biotin supplementation is necessary for individuals with rare conditions that cause biotin deficiency, the Natrol class action lawsuit acknowledges. However, most people in the United States consume a sufficient, if not excessive, amount of biotin through their daily diets and therefore do not benefit in any way from taking a biotin supplement.

Jensen alleges the 5,000 mcg Fast Dissolve biotin supplement product provides about 150 times more than an American’s average intake of biotin and the 10,000 mcg products include more than 300 times the average intake of biotin. According to the biotin supplement class action lawsuit, these “mega-dose amounts are far beyond any conceivable range that would ever be beneficial.”

Jensen says she first noticed the Natrol biotin products about three years ago. According to the false advertising class action lawsuit, she relied on the Natrol’s health benefit representations on the Biotin 5,000 mcg Fast Dissolve label and paid approximately $15 to $20 for the product.

If she had known the supplements could not provide the advertised health benefits, she would not have purchased the Natrol biotin supplements, the false advertising class action lawsuit asserts.

Jensen seeks to represent herself and a proposed nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Natrol biotin products in the United States. She also seeks certification of a multi-state Class of consumers who purchased the Natrol biotin products in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Washington. Alternatively, she seeks a California-only Class.

The Natrol class action lawsuit seeks restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief deemed proper by the court. Jensen has also asked the court to order Natrol to engage in a corrective advertising campaign.

Jensen is represented by Patricia N. Syverson, Manfred P. Muecke, Elaine A. Ryan and Carrie A. Laliberte of Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint PC and Stewart M. Weltman and Michael Chang of Siprut PC.

The Natrol Biotin False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Jaime Jensen v. Natrol LLC, Case No. 4:17-cv-03193-DMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.