Why Are Prop 65 Warnings On Baking Mixes?
Prop 65 is a unique California law requiring businesses to warn consumers against products that may contain quantifiable amounts of over nine hundred possible chemicals, including lead. Prop 65 limits for lead are in some cases nearly 1,000 times lower than the EPA’s “No significant risk levels”. Due to the presence of lead in soil, plants of all types may naturally contain lead and other metals in trace amounts through no act of adulteration. While originally well intended, Prop 65 is now allowing a host of opportunistic lawyers to take advantage of unsuspecting retailers and manufacturers by filing a flurry of notices alleging lead content in food products and seeking monetary gain in the form of a very costly settlement. Most companies can prove the level is meaninglessly low — but that is extremely expensive to do in court, especially for small businesses like mine. So, most companies end up settling even when they are not liable, to avoid the expense of litigation.
It recently came to my attention that Prop 65 has added plantains and cassava to their list of products that may contain one or more of these 900 chemicals, including lead. While I believe that my products conform to Proposition 65, I am unable to bear the financial burden to fight this legal battle in court.
Like many other companies, I am choosing to provide warnings to all California customers on my delicious baking mixes because they do contain both cassava and plantain flours. I list all ingredients included in each and every Truly AIP product on Amazon, our website and on each product. In addition to being delicious, I believe there are health benefits to each of our ingredients. Each of my products was created to be compatible with the elimination phase of the autoimmune protocol, which is meant to decrease the reactivity that comes with consuming specific foods.
For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food