January 18 ,1996
Web posted at: 3:48 p.m. EST
PASADENA, California (CNN) -- A CNN Medical Unit investigation of melatonin is prompting a distributor to issue a nationwide recall of tablets that contain only half as much melatonin as claimed. The hormone is usually used to help people sleep or fight jet lag, though some people claim it can also help prevent cancer or even delay aging.
The recall affects 2.5 milligram tablets of UltraSnooze Melatonin, distributed by UltraVit Enterprises, lot number 5941-15, with an expiration date of September 1997. A laboratory hired by CNN found that each tablet actually contained only 1.2 milligrams of melatonin.
During the investigation, CNN correspondent Andrew Holtz interviewed, by speakerphone, UltraVit National sales manager Eric Baker. When asked about the company's quality control, Baker said the company felt very comfortable that its tablet manufacturer, VitaTech, is an ethical and quality manufacturer. (621K AIFF sound or 621K WAV sound)
After being informed of CNN's test results, UltraVit and VitaTech ran their own tests, which confirmed the problem. An executive at UltraVit says the error occurred when VitaTech over-diluted bulk melatonin. The executive says UltraVit will be strengthening its quality control procedures.
In addition to the UltraSnooze tablets, CNN tested four other brands of melatonin purchased at health food and vitamin stores in the Atlanta area. All four contained the amount of melatonin claimed on the product labels.
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration official told CNN that because of regulatory restrictions on the agency, it cannot guarantee the quality and purity of melatonin and other products sold as dietary supplements. The official also pointed out that, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, melatonin has not been subjected to thorough testing to prove it is both safe and effective.
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