According to health claims, melatonin is a substance that helps reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. It is an essential ingredient in dietary supplements that support healthy sleep and counteract the effects of ‘jet lag’.

• In Poland, the permitted amount of melatonin is 1 mg per daily serving, provided that the other ingredients in the product do not have a synergistic effect.
• In the Netherlands, the permitted amount of melatonin is much lower.
• At EU level, there is no harmonised maximum for the use of melatonin in food products.
• A report by the Heads of Food Safety Agencies identifies melatonin as one of 13 substances that may pose a risk to consumers if consumed in excess.

At the community level, there are calls for a rigid legal framework on the use of melatonin in food, which could be the impetus for an amendment of Regulation 1925/2006.