At WhatIF Foods we are committed to promoting good health, and to the highest standards of food safety and quality control.

Unique to California, Proposition 65 (Prop 65): What You Need to Know

Unique to California, Proposition 65 (Prop 65), officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a "right to know" state law that requires warning labels on products which contain any of the over 900 chemicals or ingredients that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has listed as having the potential to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

The Prop 65 food label requirement applies irrespective of whether these chemicals occur naturally or are artificially added to products like food, household products and jewelry. The sale of these products is not prohibited, but the law is aimed at providing consumers with full transparency within which to make informed choices. In addition, businesses are required under the law to provide warnings about significant exposures to listed chemicals in workplaces, homes, or public places.

The Purpose Behind Prop 65

The law was well-intended, however the reality in practice is that many of the chemicals required to be listed are found at trace quantities far below those known to cause harm. Further, a significant quantity of these chemicals naturally occurs in the environment (such as lead and mercury, for instance, present in soil and water), which means they may accumulate in plants and animals, and are therefore commonly found in almost ALL foods- but again, typically at very low levels, and in some instances up to 1000 times lower than federal, EPA standards.

Understanding Trace Chemicals: Why Warnings Don't Always Mean Danger

Put simply, if you encounter a food product label bearing a Prop 65 warning, do not be alarmed. It doesn't necessarily mean that it is in violation of any safety standards or less safe compared to other food products.

The absence of a warning label on other food products may be because the company hasn't yet complied with the law, or because they are engaged in litigation with the state of California to receive a label exemption (which it must be noted, has often resulted in companies settling by agreeing to comply with the warning requirement). The penalties for not complying with Prop 65 food labels are high.

How WhatIF Foods Ensures Safety and Quality Amidst Prop 65 Regulations

All WhatIF Foods products are safe for consumption. Our company was founded with the goal of promoting good health, and creating planet-friendly, beneficial food that makes a delicious addition to any diet. We take food safety and quality control very seriously, growing the Bambara bean using regenerative farming practices, and we thoughtfully select every single additional ingredient that is used in our products for purity. No harmful chemicals, heavy metals or toxins are ever used in our manufacturing process.

While some naturally occurring elements like lead may be present, we closely monitor and limit their levels to ensure safety.

Rest assured, WhatIF Foods are not just helping to make a better you, but a better planet, as well. Discover the WhatIF Foods difference by exploring our range of delicious, healthy, and safe instant noodles or bambara nut milk today.