What is California Proposition 65?
Proposition 65, officially called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, is a California law that requires the state to maintain a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Businesses selling products in California that contain any of these listed substances must provide a clear warning—either on the packaging or prior to purchase—if exposure to the chemical exceeds certain levels. These warnings are commonly seen in places like grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, and other public spaces across California.
Who needs to provide a Prop 65 warning?
Any business selling products in California must include a Proposition 65 warning if their product contains one or more listed chemicals above a threshold known as the “Safe Harbor Level.” This threshold is extremely low—often set at 1/1000th of what’s considered safe by the World Health Organization. While most regions follow federal guidelines, California enforces its own stricter standards. Proposition 65 is only enforced in California.
Having a Prop 65 warning doesn’t mean a product is dangerous. It simply means the product contains a chemical from the Prop 65 list at a level that requires notification, giving consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions.
It’s also worth noting that certain elements—like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury—can naturally occur in soil and water. As plants grow, they may absorb trace amounts of these elements.
Why we put it on every product?
We voluntarily include Proposition 65 warnings on all products, even ones that do not require it—not because we believe they’re unsafe, but because of how the law is being misused. Prop 65 was created with good intentions, but it’s often exploited by lawyers who target small businesses with threats of costly lawsuits, pressuring them into settlements rather than actually addressing concerns. We’ve experienced this firsthand—despite being exempt. So we chose to be proactive and transparent, even when the trace amounts in question are naturally occurring and well below any harmful levels.
To learn more about Prop 65, visit www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html.