Bill Text: NJ A4072 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits sale of baked products containing supplemental melatonin.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-23 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [A4072 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A4072-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARY PAT ANGELINI
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits sale of baked products containing supplemental melatonin.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the sale or distribution of baked products containing melatonin and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. No person, either directly or indirectly by an agent or employee, or by a vending machine owned by the person or located in the person's establishment, shall sell, offer for sale, distribute for commercial purposes at no cost or minimal cost, give, or furnish to a person any baked good that has been supplemented with melatonin.
b. A person who violates the provisions of subsection a. of this section shall be liable to a civil penalty of $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. The civil penalty shall be collected pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), in a summary proceeding before the municipal court having jurisdiction.
An official authorized by statute or ordinance to enforce the State or local health codes or a law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in that municipality may issue a summons for a violation of the provisions of subsection a. of this section, and may serve and execute all process with respect to the enforcement of this section consistent with the Rules of Court.
A penalty recovered under the provisions of this subsection shall be recovered by and in the name of the State by the local health agency. The penalty shall be paid into the treasury of the municipality in which the violation occurred for the general uses of the municipality.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill would prohibit the sale and distribution of baked good that have been supplemented with melatonin such as Lazy Cakes.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that plays a role in regulating biological rhythms, including sleep and reproductive cycles. Recently, some manufacturers have supplemented baked goods, such as brownies, with melatonin and marketed the product as a sleep aid.
These products are considered dietary supplements and as such have not undergone analysis by the Food and Drug Administration. Some medical professionals have expressed concern that the amount of melatonin in these baked goods may be dangerous to children as melatonin may interact with other medications and large doses may cause seizures.
