▲ Korea Consumer Agency
The Korea Consumer Agency announced on August 6 that caution is required as excessive amounts of plant-based melatonin were detected in some products containing plant-based melatonin currently distributed on the market.
The Korea Consumer Agency investigated 30 plant-based melatonin-containing foods and 100 online advertisements currently in circulation.
Among the 30 products investigated, the daily recommended intake of melatonin ranged from 0.7 mg to 12.0 mg, with 27 products exceeding 2 mg, which is the typical prescription dosage used for managing sleep disorders.
Some products contained high levels of melatonin, reaching up to six times the standard prescription dosage.
Two products fell short of the labeled amount in actual content.
As a result of monitoring 100 online advertisements, 58% used promotional phrases that could mislead consumers into believing the products had been verified for safety and efficacy.
The investigation found that despite being general foods, they featured advertisements claiming efficacy such as "sleep aid," which could cause them to be mistaken for pharmaceuticals.
The Korea Consumer Agency recommended that businesses selling the 30 products lower the melatonin content and display safety precautions for consumers.
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