California's Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires businesses to provide warnings about exposures to chemicals including heavy metals. This law not only applies to water, but also consumer goods such as food, clothing, toys, supplements and more. Proposition 65 warnings are found throughout California, such as restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, bars, schools, hospitals, and theme parks. Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment, including in soil, water, and air. As a result, trace amounts can be present in various products, especially those derived from natural ingredients. For instance, dietary supplements, certain foods, and plant-based products may contain minimal lead levels due to environmental exposure during cultivation or processing. This is even more common in organic ingredients, because harsh chemical solvents cannot be used in the processing, so trace heavy metals from soil are more likely to remain present. In fact, if fruits and vegetables sold in grocery stores were required to carry Prop 65 warnings, many would need one too. The presence of a Prop 65 warning does not necessarily indicate that a product is unsafe. Instead, it reflects California's stringent standards for consumer awareness. The state has established ""safe harbor"" levels for listed chemicals, and if a product exposes consumers to amounts above these levels, a warning is required. It's important to note that these thresholds are often more conservative than federal standards. Many products sold nationwide, including those with Prop 65 warnings, comply with all applicable federal safety regulations. As a transparent and quality-first organization, Gainful is committed to testing all supplements for heavy metals and including a Prop65 warning where legally required.
