Proposition 65 Warning for California Residents
In 1986, California voters passed the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65. The chemicals added to this list are those that may be identified as causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm in humans or laboratory animals. Chemicals do not need to pose a risk in human testing to be included under the language of Prop 65.
While selling products that contain any of the listed chemicals is not prohibited, any company doing business in California is required to notify consumers in California with a clear and reasonable warning if any of their products contain a chemical that is listed on the Prop 65 list. The warning should read something like: “This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.”
Types of Chemicals and Products on the Prop 65 List
Currently, there are over 900 chemicals on the Prop 65 list, which is updated at least once a year. Any chemicals regarded as reproductive toxicants or carcinogens are included on this list, even though some of these chemicals (such as lead, for example) are often found in nature and are not intentionally added to products.
Why is Vinatura Affected by Proposition 65?
As mentioned, Prop 65 applies to any company that sells consumer goods in California, including food. Since 2013, dietary supplements have been categorized in California as foods for purposes of Proposition 65.
Since Proposition 65 applies to dietary supplements sold in California, consumers will be notified if a supplement contains a Prop 65-listed chemical, if that chemical is present in an amount above the set threshold, and if the chemical isn’t naturally occurring in an ingredient of the supplement. Vinatura always prefers to err on the side of caution to comply with the law, and thus includes the Prop 65 warning when necessary.
Are Products with a Proposition 65 Warning Unsafe?
A Proposition 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe; the notice is simply required to make consumers aware of the presence of a chemical on the Prop 65 list so they can make informed decisions when purchasing a product.
Additionally, the amount of a chemical that would trigger a Prop 65 warning is much lower than what would be concerning by other agencies like the FDA, EPA, WHO, and other health organizations. Regardless, we comply with the regulations set forth in the language of the law, which is why you may notice a Proposition 65 warning when purchasing a product from Vinatura.
How Can I Learn More about Proposition 65?
For information about the chemicals listed under Proposition 65, please visit the website of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the California Government's website for Prop 65, or view the list of chemicals HERE.