What is California Prop65 notification?Updated 2 months ago

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program. 

The state of California sets the most stringent heavy metal regulations with Proposition 65, known as the 1986 Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. CA Prop 65 requires a supplement sold in the state to have a warning label if it contains identified heavy metal reproductive toxins or carcinogens over established safe amounts. These requirements also apply to products sold online.

Current safe levels for heavy metals outlined by California/Prop 65 are:

• Lead: Carcinogen NSRL - 15 mcg/day; Reproductive Toxin - MADL 0.5 mcg/day
• Mercury: No established safe level of exposure either as a carcinogen or a reproductive toxin.
• Arsenic: Carcinogen NSRL - 10 mcg/day; Reproductive Toxin: No established safe level.
• Cadmium: Carcinogen - no established level for oral consumption; Reproductive Toxin MADL - 4.1 mcg/day

For a comprehensive list please see the OEHHA list.  

As a supplement company, we test for heavy metals to ensure we remain below the safe levels outlined by the FDA and USP.  Heavy metals are extremely prevalent in the environment and can end up in supplements despite a manufacturer’s best efforts. A consumer might not realize that these same heavy metals that are in supplements are also in the produce they purchase at the grocery store.

We fall within the guidelines for the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) designated heavy metal standards. The USP has well-accepted and well-recognized heavy metal exposure standards for medicines, food ingredients, and nutritional supplements, and we strive to comply with the USP’s heavy metal exposure standards at all times. 

The USP’s current standards for the upper safe limit of a heavy metal that can be ingested daily are as follows:

·  Lead – 10 mcg/day

·  Arsenic – 15 mcg/day

·  Cadmium – 5 mcg/day

·  Mercury – 30 mcg/day

These standards are never used as a default upper limit on the amount of a heavy metal that would be consumed daily in our products. The daily ingestion of a heavy metal in our products is below the USP limits; in fact, the heavy metal content in most of our products is often in the negligible or undetectable range.  We aim to achieve the lowest possible result.  

You will find the Prop65 notification on our Fiber GDX products, IAW the California requirement, as psyllium husk typically contains naturally absorbed heavy metals from the environment it is grown.  Our goal is to source psyllium husk from reputable suppliers who provide the best quality product so we can continue to confidently provide a source of fiber that supports our customers' wellness goals.  

Please reach out to our Customer Service Team if you have any other questions regarding this notification, or our Fiber GDX product.