Prop 65 Warning
Prop 65 Warning
You may have seen this warning on various food products like coffee or chocolate, and on buildings throughout the state of California.
WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including arsenic (inorganic), cadmium, lead, nickel, and/or mercury, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/food.
At Keto Bars, we hold ourselves to quality standards that go above and beyond the normal requirements of the state and the FDA. It’s why we’re known for having the cleanest low-carb and keto products around.
That means starting with the purest ingredients possible, while also ensuring that products are individually tested for heavy metals, microbial contamination, and label claims.
Read on for all the details on California’s Prop 65 Warning and why you might see it on Keto Bars products.
What is California Prop 65?
California Prop 65, aka The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about possible exposure to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or any reproductive harm.
This list of chemicals is updated every year by the state of California and has grown to include more than 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987. The list encompasses a variety of chemicals found in common household products, drugs, food additives, or any chemicals that are released into the environment.
The proposition requires that any company with 10 or more employees selling to Californians warn consumers if a product contains more than the Prop 65-allowed limits of any of the chemicals listed.
Understanding Prop 65 Labels On Your Products
The goal of mandatory Prop 65 language is to protect consumers. Many products, byproducts of manufacturing, and things like vehicle exhaust do contain harmful levels of contaminants like heavy metals.
While these protections have consumer’s health in mind, it’s important to note that heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury do occur naturally in soil and water — even in the most pristine environments.
As a plant grows, it pulls nutrients from the soil and water, including trace amounts of some naturally-occurring heavy metals. In other words, the most natural, organic foods in the world will test above Prop 65 limits.
Since Keto Bars sources some of the purest natural ingredients for our products (and we proudly sell to Californian consumers), we’re obligated to add the Prop 65 warning to our packaging.
However, the levels of these chemicals in our products are similar to an all-organic plant-based diet and are completely safe. All Keto Bars products are still under any federal or international safety limits and undergo rigorous testing to ensure safe levels of inorganic metals and other harmful toxins.
What Are The Prop 65 Limits?
Prop 65 includes safety limits that are lower than any other system in the world, including Europe’s.
A safe approach to harmful contaminants is important, but setting such a low threshold for naturally-occurring heavy metals excludes an entire range of health-promoting foods and supplements — including most fruits and vegetables.
For example, the California Proposition 65 reproductive limit for Lead is .5 mcg per day, while the World Health Organization’s Lead limit is 10 mcg per day and the NSF International limit is 20 mcg per day.
Why Is This Language On My Product If I Don’t Live in CA?
Mandatory Prop 65 language only applies to California consumers. Every other state complies with much higher federal limits and most other countries adhere to international limits from the World Health Organization.
However, it doesn’t make sense to make and ship separate packaging for California consumers only, so most food and supplement companies must print the warning on every product that goes out.
Keto Bars’s Ongoing Commitment to Your Health
Keto Bars was created out of a need for high-quality, clean keto snacks and supplements. And it’s our ongoing mission to provide the best in quality and purity. That means choosing the most trustworthy ingredients and rigorous third-party testing to ensure you’re always getting the best low-carb and keto products possible.
For any questions regarding California’s Prop 65 or quality testing, please reach out to theresa@ketobars.com