{"id":52163,"date":"2025-09-30T14:04:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T14:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/52163\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T14:04:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T14:04:09","slug":"urgent-warning-issued-over-a-popular-health-supplement-with-some-brands-containing-four-times-the-label-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/52163\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent warning issued over a popular health supplement – with some brands containing four times the label strength"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ZAK WHEELER, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 09:05 EDT, 29 September 2025 | Updated: 09:14 EDT, 29 September 2025 <\/p>\n

Australians, especially children, are at risk of overdosing on imported versions of a commonly used supplement which helps them fall asleep.<\/p>\n

Unregulated melatonin is being sold in Australia at a strength four-times greater than what is stated on their labels,\u00a0the Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned.<\/p>\n

Typically\u00a0melatonin\u00a0supplements require a prescription but many parents instead opt to buy the pills and gummies online to avoid this.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is now requesting\u00a0Border Force seize and destroy incoming melatonin products to avoid harm for children.<\/p>\n

TGA officials came to their stark conclusion after testing eight\u00a0melatonin products which all contained ‘significantly more’ of the chemical than their labelled amount.<\/p>\n

Another three products tested has\u00a0less melatonin than advertised.<\/p>\n

One had no melatonin at all despite its label.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These ‘significant discrepancies’ have sparked the TGA towards warning parents of the dangers inherent in circumventing prescriptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Unregulated <\/p>\n

Unregulated melatonin supplements pose a risk for children with the TGA claiming some brands had a strength more than triple what was on the label and other brands having far less<\/p>\n

The TGA highlighted its serious concerns with these off-market products.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This variability in melatonin content raises serious safety concerns for consumers, including the risk of hospitalisation and accidental overdose, especially in children,’ it said.<\/p>\n

Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3mg were found to be have the highest discrepancy between what was on its label and what was inside its product.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The supplements\u00a0contained 209 to 417 per cent of its labelled content.<\/p>\n

The second worst offender was\u00a0Nutraceutical Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3 mg which has a 95 to 174 per cent variation.<\/p>\n

Third was the Smurfs Kids Gummies Melatonin 1mg which had a 155 to 170 per cent variation.<\/p>\n

TGA officials ‘strongly encouraged’ parents to consult doctors before purchasing any supplements for their children.<\/p>\n

This warning was especially encouraged for parents whose children suffer\u00a0seizure disorders ‘as it may increase seizure frequency’.<\/p>\n

\"Eleven <\/p>\n

Eleven unregulated melatonin products had inconsistencies between what was advertised on the label compared to the potency of the supplements themselves (stock pictured)<\/p>\n

The agency also warned that melatonin products taken without ‘appropriate medical oversight’ could cause serious side effects.<\/p>\n

These side effects could include hospitalisation and accidental overdose, ‘especially in children’, it said.<\/p>\n

Increasing numbers of\u00a0non-fatal melatonin overdoses in children have been recorded in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A primary outlet which has been circumventing doctor-written prescriptions has been the\u00a0popular international online retailer iHerb.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This retailer has since paused Australian shipments.<\/p>\n

Overdosing on melatonin can result in drowsiness,\u00a0nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.<\/p>\n

Melatonin supplements are typically used to counteract sleep problems including insomnia and jet lag.<\/p>\n

None of the products tested by the TGA had been listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.<\/p>\n

The TGA warns that unregistered products ‘may not meet Australian standards for safety, quality and effectiveness’.<\/p>\n

PRODUCTS THAT VARIED FROM THE STATED STRENGTH <\/p>\n

These products contained significantly more than labelled amount:<\/p>\n

Spring Valley Melatonin 10mg 119 per cent -136 per cent<\/p>\n

Natrol Melatonin 5mg gummies 140 per cent -170 per cent<\/p>\n

CVS Health Melatonin 3mg 112 per cent -121 per cent<\/p>\n

The Smurfs Kids Gummies Melatonin 1mg 155 per cent -170 per cent<\/p>\n

Natrol Advanced Sleep Melatonin 10mg 112 per cent -123 per cent<\/p>\n

Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3mg 209 per cent -417 per cent<\/p>\n

Nutraceutical Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3 mg 95 per cent -174 per cent<\/p>\n

Vitafusion Sleep Well – Melatonin 3mg 106 per cent -124 per cent<\/p>\n

These products contained significantly less than labelled amount:<\/p>\n

Life Extension Melatonin 300mcg 79 per cent -97 per cent<\/p>\n

Sleepose-10 Melatonin 10mg 37 per cent -59 per cent<\/p>\n

Live Natures Melatonin 10mg No melatonin detected<\/p>\n

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