EU and melatonin

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) officially confirmed that melatonin is an effective sleep disturbance and that its use is safe. Original news can be found here. Full study in PDF found here. Melatonin has also been approved health claim published 30/06/2011, allowing these official claims:

1. Melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of fatigue caused by the time shift
This argument can be applied only to plant, comprising at least 0.5 mg of melatonin in a single dose. In order to use the argument, the consumer shall be informed that the beneficial effect is obtained with a minimum dose is 0.5 mg to be ingested shortly before bedtime on the first day of travel and after a few more days after arrival at the destination.

2. Melatonin helps to reduce the time to fall asleep
This argument can only be used in formulations containing 1 mg melatonin in a single dose. In order to use the argument, the consumer shall be informed that the beneficial effect is obtained by consuming 1 mg of melatonin at bedtime.


Another official study of 25.2.2010 investigated the impact of melatonin on sleep quality and the effect of melatonin cycles to effect jet lag. In her original can be viewed here, full study in PDF format can be found here.