Melatonin sold by unregulated online suppliers contain up to four times their labelled amounts, prompting the medical regulator to issue a safety notice. Testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) revealed “significant discrepancies” in the actual content of some unregistered melatonin products — commonly used as a sleep aid — compared to what was on the label.
The TGA warned the variations posed serious safety risks, including accidental overdose and hospitalisation, particularly among children.
Eight products contained higher amounts of melatonin than what was on their labels. Source: Supplied
Of the tested products, eight were found to have higher amounts of melatonin than their labelled amount, including one by more than 400 per cent.Product Variation from labelled amountSpring Valley Melatonin 10mg119 — 136 per cent Natrol Melatonin 5mg gummies140 — 170 per centCVS Health Melatonin 3mg112 — 121 per cent The Smurfs Kids Gummies Melatonin 1mg 155 — 170 per centSleepose-3 Melatonin 3mg209 — 417 per centNutraceutical Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3mg 95 — 174 per centVitafusion Sleep Well – Melatonin 3mg106 — 124 per centNatrol Advanced Sleep Melatonin 10mg 112 — 123 per cent
Three products contained less than their labelled amount, including one which did not contain any melatonin at all.
ProductVariation from labelled amountLife Extension Melatonin 300mcg79 — 97 per centSleepose-10 Melatonin 10mg37 — 59 per centLive Natures Melatonin 10mgNo melatonin detected Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate the ‘body clock’.
It can also be taken as a supplement to help with insomnia, but most products are prescription-only in Australia.
The TGA warned it was working with the Australian Border Force to seize and destroy unregistered products bought from overseas online suppliers.”The TGA advises consumers to exercise extreme caution when considering purchasing medicines from overseas websites,” the safety notice said. “They may not meet Australian standards for safety, quality and effectiveness. These products may contain incorrect or undisclosed and harmful ingredients.”Earlier this month, the ABC reported Australian poisons hotlines received nearly 1,500 calls about children ingesting melatonin in 2024.