SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Scientific research shows problems with the dosing in over-the-counter melatonin, a class action lawsuit says.
Plaintiff Krystal Lopez and lawyers at Dovel & Luner filed suit Aug. 2 in California federal court against Zarbee’s Inc., alleging its melatonin products have “substantial and random” overdoses of melatonin. The suit alleges violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law, among other claims.
Lopez bought melatonin to help her children sleep but was alarmed to find the true amount of melatonin in her bottle was more than 200% the claimed amount, the suit says, also citing scientific research showing the inaccuracy of other melatonin products.
“No reasonable consumer expects that a melatonin supplement has a random and substantial overdose of melatonin, compared to what it is supposed to have,” the suit says.
“And specifically, when a bottle of Zarbee’s says it has a particular amount of melatonin per serving (e.g., 1 mg), consumers expect this to be accurate. This is especially true for melatonin marketed for children.”