Why some Melissa’s products may include a warning label
At Melissa’s, we take pride in the quality and safety of our products. If you’re a California resident, you may notice a warning label on select items in our assortment. These warnings are required by California’s Proposition 65 to provide transparency under very specific legal guidelines.
At Melissa’s, we take pride in the quality and safety of our products. If you’re a California resident, you may notice a warning label on select items in our assortment. These warnings are required by California’s Proposition 65 to provide transparency under very specific legal guidelines.
What is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 (officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) requires businesses to notify California consumers if a product may expose them to one or more chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
There are over 900 substances on the Proposition 65 list. Some—like naturally occurring heavy metals—are found in soil, water, and air and may appear in trace amounts in foods grown anywhere in the world.
Does a warning mean the food isn’t safe to eat?
Proposition 65 is not a food safety law—it is a consumer notification law. All Melissa’s products meet or exceed FDA safety standards. We partner with a trusted network of growers, producers, and manufacturers who follow strict food safety practices, including adherence to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification schemes and compliance with FDA regulations. For our organic items, we adhere to the USDA National Organic Program requirements.
Why don’t all brands or similar products carry the same warning?
Each company interprets the law differently. At Melissa’s, we take a cautious, transparent approach to ensure full compliance and keep our customers informed.
Want to learn more?
If you have additional questions about Proposition 65 or how it applies to Melissa’s products, our team is happy to help. You can also visit the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) for more detailed information at www.oehha.ca.gov or www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
