Simple, Consumer-Friendly Guide to Proposition 65

Understanding Proposition 65 & What It Means for You

What is Proposition 65?

Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law designed to inform consumers about potential exposure to certain chemicals. This guide provides a clear, educational overview of what Proposition 65 is, what it means for consumers, and how to interpret the warnings you may see on products.

Proposition 65 (Prop 65) is a California law that requires businesses to provide warnings if their products contain chemicals that the State of California has identified as potentially causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Key Facts About Proposition 65:

Purpose: To help consumers make informed choices about potential chemical exposures.

Scope: Covers over 900 chemicals, including naturally occurring substances found in food and water, as well as synthetic chemicals used in manufacturing.

Who is affected? Any company that sells products in California must comply, regardless of where they are based.

Common Products That May Carry a Prop 65 Warning:

  • Coffee and baked goods (due to acrylamide)
  • Seafood, nuts, and vegetables (due to naturally occurring heavy metals)
  • Supplements and vitamins (due to trace minerals found in soil)
  • Plastic packaging, furniture, and electronics (due to certain industrial chemicals)

Does a Prop 65 Warning Mean a Product is Unsafe?

No, a Prop 65 warning does NOT mean a product is unsafe.

Prop 65 warnings are based on exposure thresholds that are often stricter than federal or international guidelines. The law does not ban the use of listed chemicals—it only requires disclosure when exposure exceeds California’s strict limits.

For context, many Prop 65-listed chemicals are present in everyday items, often in trace amounts.

  • Coffee contains acrylamide, a chemical on the Prop 65 list, yet research shows moderate coffee consumption may have health benefits.
  • Spinach, nuts, and grains contain naturally occurring heavy metals due to soil composition but are still considered safe to eat.
  • Cooked foods, grilled meats, and toasted bread can contain trace compounds flagged by Prop 65 but are part of a normal diet.

Many businesses choose to add a Prop 65 warning as a precaution, even if exposure levels are very low.

Why Are Prop 65 Warnings Required?

Businesses must provide a warning if their product contains a Prop 65-listed chemical above a certain threshold, even if the actual risk to consumers is minimal.

California law requires the warning—whether the exposure comes from a natural or synthetic source.

Prop 65 exposure limits are lower than federal guidelines, meaning a product that meets FDA or EPA standards may still require a warning in California.

How to Interpret a Proposition 65 Warning

If you see a Prop 65 warning on a product, it means:

  • The product contains or may contain a chemical on the Prop 65 list.
  • The company is complying with California law by providing disclosure.
  • It does not necessarily mean the product is dangerous or should be avoided.

Key Takeaway: Prop 65 is about transparency, not product bans or recalls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do some products have a Prop 65 warning while others don’t?

A: Some companies label all products as a precaution, while others only label when required. Even identical products may carry a warning in California but not in other states due to Prop 65’s unique regulations.

Q: Are Prop 65 chemicals only found in synthetic or artificial ingredients?

A: No. Many Prop 65-listed chemicals occur naturally in soil, water, and food. Organic and natural products may still contain trace amounts of these substances.

Q: How does Prop 65 compare to other safety regulations?

A: California’s limits are stricter than most U.S. federal and international guidelines. Many products with Prop 65 warnings comply fully with FDA, EPA, and WHO safety standards.

In Summary:

Proposition 65 is a consumer-right-to-know law in California.

A warning does NOT mean a product is unsafe. Many warnings result from naturally occurring trace substances.

Prop 65 exposure limits are extremely low—often more conservative than federal standards.

Consumers should interpret warnings as information, not as an indication that a product is hazardous.

Want to Learn More?

For more details on Proposition 65, visit:

California OEHHA – Proposition 65 Overview

Full List of Proposition 65 Chemicals

Final Thoughts

Proposition 65 is meant to inform, not alarm. If you see a warning, consider the context—many everyday items, including foods and supplements, contain Prop 65-listed chemicals in small, naturally occurring amounts.

Understanding what Prop 65 means and how it applies can help consumers make informed decisions without unnecessary concern.