Proposition 65 Warning for California Residents

WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including acrylamide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food.

*Acrylamide forms during high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, and baking.

Why is there a warning label on my Roasted Red Bell Peppers?

Due to Proposition 65 (a state law in California), any business that sells products manufactured using high-temperature cooking processes (like frying, roasting, baking) that create a chemical called Acrylamide, AND that also employs 10 or more workers, MUST include a warning label on their products about the possible presence of Acrylamide.

What is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide forms when certain plant-based foods are cooked, fried, baked, grilled or processed at high temperatures. It is naturally present in food and does not come from packaging or the environment in which food is made. High temperatures during cooking convert sugars and other naturally occurring substances in these foods to acrylamide. 

What is Proposition 65?

California’s Proposition 65 is a state-specific regulation that entitles California consumers to special warnings for certain products that contain “substances known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive harm” when consumed in amounts about certain thresholds. Proposition 65 was enacted in California by ballot initiative in 1986. It was designed to provide consumers with information so that they can make informed choices about their health and be more aware of their total exposure to chemicals in their diets and environments.  Since its passage, tens of thousands of products – ranging from laundry detergent to fresh fish to even some shoes and clothing – have been required to carry Proposition 65 warning labels.  There are approximately 900 chemicals on the Prop 65 list.

For more information about Prop 65, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. 

Where is Acrylamide found?

Acrylamide has been found in many plant-based foods, such as roasted vegetables, canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin, canned black olives, roasted nuts, coffee, roasted grain-based coffee substitutes, prune juice, breakfast cereals, crackers, some cookies, bread crusts, french fries, potato chips and other fried and baked snack foods. 

How will this affect my physical health and what can I do to protect myself?

The FDA encourages the adoption of a healthy diet and does not recommend that consumers stop eating foods that are fried, roasted or baked. Acrylamide is found naturally in foods at a low dose and consumed regularly by millions of Americans without any negative effects. However, consumption of extremely high doses has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.

Why now and why am I not seeing this warning label in states other than California?

Acrylamide is listed as a chemical that is known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. Thus, the State of California requires products that contain Acrylamide to provide a warning label about potential consequences.

In an effort to ensure compliance with California’s requirements, we have decided to include the Proposition 65 statement on products containing traces of Acrylamide that are sold in California.

Proposition 65 Information: https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/proposition-65/general-info/p65plain_1.pdf

Proposition 65 List: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list