WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

What is Prop 65?

If you live in California, you're probably used to seeing this sign: "WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm." This warning appears in places like gas stations, parking garages, apartment buildings and grocery stores, and on the packaging for thousands of everyday products. This is a result of Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act [Title 22, California Code of Regulation], passed by California voters in 1986. The law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of substances that are, in large enough doses, known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The list of chemicals contains a wide range of substances, many of which are naturally or commonly occurring in the environment. They can be found in many natural products, including foods and cosmetics. This list is updated at least once a year. Prop 65 does not ban the sale or use of any product, and California is the only state to have enacted such an initiative.