CA Proposition 65 Warning

California Proposition 65 requires manufacturers to warn about chemicals known to cause cancer or congenital disabilities. The law applies to all companies that manufacture, import, or sell products in California.

Proposition 65 warnings by the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have become a necessary concern for manufacturers because they require disclosing certain product information. Any business involved with the making or selling of these products must stay compliant to avoid potential fines and penalties from the California Attorney General's office. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it is necessary to protect consumers.

What Items Have Proposition 65 Warnings?

Things we use daily may contain toxic chemicals that undermine the safe harbor warnings of Proposition 65 and carry certain risks, such as birth defects. These consumer products include: 

  • Household cleaners 

  • Foods like milk, bread, vegetables, meat, fish, fruits, juices, and beverages

  • Cosmetics and personal care products

  • Children's toys

  • Bottled drinking water

  • Prescription drugs

  • Oils from diesel engines in gas stations

In addition, many common household materials like paint, rubber, wood dust from furniture, plastics, adhesives, cleaning supplies, carpeting, floor waxes, and pesticides carry some level of risk.

Prop 65 warning labels must be clearly shown on the product and is a primary responsibility of the company.

What Is Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (EHHa)?

The Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (EHHa), sometimes called Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA), is the process used by government agencies to determine whether significant exposures to chemicals pose any threat to public health and the environment. The EPA uses EHHa to evaluate the potential risks and provide warnings of new chemicals or substances introduced into the marketplace.

Are Products With California Prop 65 Warning Text Safe?

Yes! There are thousands of products available today that have been tested by independent laboratories and were found to comply with the requirements of Proposition 65.

However, there are always new chemicals and substances entering our environment so we need to know what they are and how they affect us. More than 900 chemicals have been identified as hazardous substances under Proposition 65.

According to California voters, private citizens, and consumer advocacy groups, approximately half of the chemicals in products have never been evaluated for human exposure. That means manufacturers don't always know whether their products contain the potential for harm and whether they should have a clear Prop 65 warning label on the product they intend to sell.

This is why Prop 65 exists – to give consumers the tools to make informed decisions when purchasing products to ensure they know risks such as congenital disabilities and other reproductive harm for pregnant women.

When Did The Prop 65 Warning Go Into Effect?

California was one of the first states to implement legislation requiring the labeling of potentially dangerous substances on January 1, 1986. Other states have since followed suit. Chemical makers must now identify their products if they contain compounds listed on the state registry in 15 states, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The California Prop 65 warnings were updated in August 2018 and are meant to include details specific to the product. For California consumers of alcohol products, the new warnings look like this:

WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol.

Proposition 65: These products may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to the State of California to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

How Does The Prop 65 Warning System Work?

You can find out which chemicals used in a product are on the list by going to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov and learning more about the required warning signs. Once you enter a product name, the website will display a list of chemicals contained in the product.

If any chemicals fall on the Prop 65 Registry list, the manufacturer must post a warning label at the point of sale of any cancer risk. Clear and reasonable warnings must appear within 12 inches from where the consumer usually reads the ingredient statement.

What Is The Toxic Enforcement Act?

The Toxic Enforcement Act, abbreviated as TEA, was signed into law to protect human health, the environment, and the public interest. TEA requires federal agencies such as the EPA to develop regulations to protect against toxic substances causing health risks. These rules must be enforced by the agency responsible for enforcing laws dealing with hazardous chemicals.

Should I Worry About Prop 65 Warning Leading To Reproductive Harm?

Not necessarily! Some people think that a Prop 65 warning means that a product is dangerous. This isn't true, however. It simply means that specialists detected a chemical during testing that has the potential to be harmful under certain circumstances. The manufacturer decided to issue an alert based on test results. It doesn't mean that the product is hazardous.

While the warning tells us that a chemical is present, it doesn't necessarily tell us what the effect of the chemical is on our health.

Do Things Like Cars Have A Prop 65 Warning?

Yes! Just because something isn't made with a chemical that appears on the Prop 65 list doesn't mean it's safe. Most companies manufacturing cars use formaldehyde-based adhesives in their vehicles. Formaldehyde is one of only four chemicals listed on the Prop 65 registry known to cause cancer. That said, some types of cars use less toxic materials and plenty of other products use chemicals on the list as well.

Do Alcoholic Drinks Have The Prop 65 Warnings?

Consuming distilled spirits, wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages that contain one or more chemicals can increase risk of cancer or reproductive toxicity that causes congenital disabilities during pregnancy, according to Prop 65.

As a family-owned and operated company, Liquorama cares about your health. We provide a clear and reasonable warning of any risk involved in the consumer products sold on our page. Moreover, we ensure you understand the listed chemicals in CA Prop 65 warnings.

For more information, visit the official website of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHa).

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