Procter & Gamble Unable to Shake Melatonin Deception Lawsuit

Procter & Gamble Company must continue to defend against a suit alleging it violated California laws by deceiving consumers about the ingredient in its “ZzzQuil Pure Zzzs” sleep-aid melatonin products, a federal district court said.

Valerie Perkins adequately alleged the company’s labels, which imply the products have a natural ingredient, are false, misleading, and likely to deceive reasonable consumers, Judge Todd W. Robinson of the US District Court for the Southern District of California said in a Thursday opinion.

A reasonable consumer could plausibly but wrongfully conclude the labels imply the products’ melatonin is natural and not artificial or synthetic, ...