Prop 65 Information
If you've noticed Prop 65 Warnings on products we carry, learn more about them with these questions asked by fellow customers.
For further information about Proposition 65 go to: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html
Frequently Asked Questions
What is California's Proposition 65?
Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law that requires companies to display a warning label on any product containing certain chemicals with levels above a predetermined threshold.
What kinds of substances are listed under Prop 65?
Over 900 chemicals have been listed under California Prop 65 as carcinogens or reproductive toxicants or both. Examples of such chemicals include cadmium, mercury and lead. Certain listed chemicals like lead are widely distributed throughout the environment in air, soil, water and rocks. As a result, these types of chemicals are often naturally found in commonly eaten foods, even though these chemicals are not intentionally added.
What does it mean if a product has a Prop 65 warning label?
The warning label simply means that the supplement contains small amounts of certain chemicals that may pose a small risk.
By law, a business must include a warning label if their product contains an identified chemical at certain levels, unless the amount is minimal enough that it poses no significant risk. “No significant risk” means that the likelihood of developing cancer is no more than one in 100,000 over the course of a 70-year lifespan as a result of the chemical exposure.
Chemicals known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm undergo research to determine the level at which the chemical poses no threat to humans or animals. This level is known as the “no observable effect level,” Out of an abundance of caution, Prop 65 divides this level by 1,000 to ensure an adequate margin of safety. In other words, a warning label is required if the product contains more than 1/1000th of the “no observable effect level” for a particular chemical known to cause other reproductive harm and birth defects.
Are other states affected by Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 only applies in California. A company that sells consumer goods in California—whether or not the company is located in California—is subject to Proposition 65's warning notice requirement. Proposition 65 warning notices are not required to be included on the labels of products that are sold in other states.
Are products with a Proposition 65 Warning notice unsafe?
When a manufacturer includes a Proposition 65 warning notice on a product, it does not mean the product is unsafe. Rather, the warning notice is intended to inform California consumers of the presence of a Proposition 65-listed chemical so the consumer can make an informed decision when purchasing the product. When used as directed, chemical exposure is minimal. Prop 65 regulations are particularly stringent and exceed guidelines established by the EPA and FDA.
What is Swanson doing regarding Proposition 65?
Swanson tests every finished good for identity and purity. As part of our purity testing, products are tested for the suspected presence of certain chemicals listed by California’s Proposition 65. If a Swanson brand product contains a naturally occurring chemical in an amount that is above a Proposition 65 threshold, then we will place the appropriate warning notice on the product label. Please remember that just because another brand does not have the warning, does not necessarily mean that the other brand is free of the substance or has lower levels. Read more about Swanson’s Quality Standards.