Parents across the UK have been hit with a stark warning from health officials after a popular children’s supplement was urgently recalled due to the presence of an undeclared prescription-only drug. On August 18, 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued an alert advising parents to immediately stop giving their children Nutrition Ignition Kids Magnesium Glycinate Gummies. The reason? Laboratory testing revealed that the gummies, which were marketed to help with tiredness and boost the immune system, actually contained melatonin—a hormone used to treat sleep disorders that is only available by prescription in the UK.
According to the MHRA, tests on two batches of the Nutrition Ignition gummies found that each individual gummy contained between 1.5 and 1.7 milligrams of melatonin. The packaging, however, made no mention of melatonin, instead presenting the product as a simple food supplement. The recommended dose on the bottle was one to two gummies per day, potentially exposing children to up to 3.4 milligrams of the hormone daily—well above the standard starting dose prescribed for children.
Melatonin is naturally produced by the body to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, but the synthetic form is strictly regulated in the UK. It can be prescribed for adults and children over the age of six who suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, with the typical starting dose for children being 1 milligram. The MHRA’s findings, therefore, raised serious concerns about unwittingly high doses being administered to children whose parents believed they were offering a safe, over-the-counter supplement.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, made the agency’s position clear: “We advise any parent or caregiver to stop use of this product and safely dispose of it. Side effects such as headache, hyperactivity, a feeling of dizziness and abdominal pain have been reported in children when melatonin is prescribed and used for its licensed indications. No serious side effects were observed in studies in children.”
Parents and caregivers who suspect their child may have experienced side effects—ranging from headaches and drowsiness to nausea and dizziness—are urged to stop using the product immediately, consult a healthcare professional, and report the incident to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. This scheme, established in the 1960s, allows healthcare professionals and the public to report suspected adverse reactions to medicines, with the aim of improving drug safety for all.
The recall comes after a series of alarming events. As reported by The Guardian and confirmed by the BBC, the Nutrition Ignition brand was owned by Sally Westcott, a clinical therapy lead with the NHS in Surrey. In June 2025, Westcott was ordered by the MHRA to remove the raspberry-flavored gummies from sale after two mothers noticed their young children falling asleep unusually quickly after consuming the product. The mothers independently had the gummies tested, leading to the discovery of undeclared melatonin and ultimately triggering the regulatory response.
Westcott, for her part, has yet to comment on the MHRA’s latest report. In June, she maintained, “I have never knowingly sold products containing undeclared ingredients.” Despite this, the Nutrition Ignition website has now been deleted, and the gummies have been pulled from major online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. The MHRA is continuing to work with online sellers to ensure all listings are removed and the product is no longer available to UK consumers.
The recall has shone a spotlight on the broader issue of melatonin use in children, a topic that has been the subject of growing concern among health professionals. Melatonin supplements, especially in gummy form, are widely available without prescription in countries like the US, China, and parts of Europe. In those markets, melatonin gummies are often promoted as an easy fix for childhood sleep problems, despite ongoing debates about their long-term safety and effectiveness. According to the Daily Mail, US data shows a staggering 500 percent increase in melatonin overdoses among children over the past decade, with hospital admissions and at least two infant deaths linked to excessive melatonin intake—though it’s important to note that other risk factors were present in those cases.
In the UK, however, melatonin is strictly regulated. It can only be prescribed to children over six years old for sleep management, often for conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or delayed sleep-wake phase disorder. The recommended starting dose is 1 milligram, with some children receiving up to 5 milligrams per day under medical supervision. Studies have not identified serious side effects in children, but common issues include headaches, dizziness, hyperactivity, and abdominal pain. The MHRA has emphasized that while lasting harm from the Nutrition Ignition gummies is not expected, there is still a risk of adverse effects, particularly with unregulated and undeclared doses.
The Nutrition Ignition Kids Magnesium Glycinate Gummies were originally marketed for children aged four and above, promising to support calm, focus, and digestion. Magnesium glycinate itself is a well-known dietary supplement that can help with muscle function, sleep quality, and nervous system regulation. But the inclusion of melatonin—especially without disclosure—crossed a regulatory line and put children at risk.
Sleep experts have previously warned that the demand for melatonin supplements has "gotten out of hand", as reported by the Daily Mail. In the UK, a hidden market for melatonin gummies has emerged, particularly among parents of neurodivergent children who may struggle with sleep. The allure of an easy, over-the-counter solution is strong, but the latest recall serves as a sobering reminder of the risks posed by unregulated supplements and the importance of transparency in product labeling.
For now, the MHRA’s advice is unequivocal: parents should dispose of any remaining Nutrition Ignition Kids Magnesium Glycinate Gummies, preferably at a local pharmacy, and remain vigilant for any signs of adverse reactions in their children. The incident also highlights the value of parental vigilance—had the two mothers not acted on their suspicions, the hidden melatonin might never have come to light.
As the dust settles, the story of Nutrition Ignition’s tainted gummies stands as a cautionary tale for families, supplement makers, and regulators alike. It underscores the need for clear labeling, rigorous oversight, and a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to products making bold health claims for children.
