Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was enacted as a ballot initiative in November 1986. The Proposition was intended by its authors to protect California citizens and the State's drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals. A Proposition 65 warning is not a regulatory decision that a product is safe or unsafe. Rather, the law is designed to help consumers decide whether to assume the risks of purchasing particular products that result in exposures to listed chemicals.

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Bispenol A (BPA) is a compound employed to make certain plastics and epoxy resins. It commonly is used in the protective linings of many food and beverage cans and container enclosures, such as jar lids and bottle caps, to avoid microbial contamination and extend shelf life. BPA has been used in food and beverage packaging and in other products for many decades. BPA is everywhere. It is in medical and dental devices, compact discs and DVDs, eyeglass lenses, water bottles, sports equipment, the thermal paper used in sales receipts, and many other products. It is also possible to be exposed to BPA through indoor air, dust, and drinking water.

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On May 11, 2015, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added BPA to the Prop 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity based on an evaluation and recommendation by the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC).

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OEHHA has established the following warning for exposure to BPA in canned and bottled foods and beverages:

WARNING: Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to the State of California to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/BPA.

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FDA's current perspective, based on its most recent safety assessment http://www.fda.gov/downloads/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/UCM424266.pdf, is that BPA is safe at current levels occurring in foods and beverages. Based on FDA's ongoing safety review of scientific evidence, the available information continues to support the safety of BPA for the currently approved uses in food and beverage containers and packaging. See http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm. FDA's acting chief scientist submitted a letter opposing the Prop 65 listing, stating that the results of the FDA's own comprehensive research "do not support BPA as a reproductive toxicant." See http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/hazard_ident/pdf_zip/BPA_FDA2015.pdf.

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No.

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Not yet, but OEHHA previously proposed a Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) safe harbor for exposures of 290 micrograms (µg) per day - a level believed to be above that which most people would encounter in a product in normal uses. In its rule, OEHHA stated that it is waiting for research sponsored by the federal government that may resolve complicated scientific questions that would enable OEHHA to establish a MADL for BPA oral exposures. The research is expected to be completed in late 2017 or early 2018.

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Yes. Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, governmental agencies, and public water systems are exempt from the warning requirement and discharge prohibition of Proposition 65.

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Please go to www.prop65signmanagement.com, and place an online order. If you have any questions about ordering signs, please email info@prop65signmanagement.com or call (800) 421-3003. The signs are provided free of charge. Unless you are asking for expedited shipping, the mailing costs are also covered. If you want expedited shipping, you will be asked to pay the cost of that expedited shipping.

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Proposition 65 Sign Management offers 5 inch by 5 inch Proposition 65 BPA warning signs.

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The Proposition 65 BPA warning sign covers canned and bottled foods and beverages, including but not limited to those containing fruits, vegetables, soups, pasta products, milk, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic beverages. For the names of the trade associations, companies, brands, and products for which this notice and warning are being provided, go to www.prop65bpa.org. Even if not separately listed, the brands and products of each member of each identified trade association or company may result in an exposure to BPA. Please inquire directly to the companies if you want more information. Proposition 65 Sign Management, Inc. is the authorized agent of these trade associations and companies for purposes of providing this notice and associated warning signs to retailers of these products. You may also receive similar notices or names of additional products directly from your suppliers.

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For alcoholic beverages, including, without limitation, beer, malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits, OEHHA requires this warning:

WARNING: Drinking Distilled Spirits, Beer, Coolers, Wine and Other Alcoholic Beverages May Increase Cancer Risk, and, During Pregnancy, Can Cause Birth Defects.

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If you are a retailer of any kind (no matter where you are based), licensed by the California ABC to sell beverage alcohol products, including, without limitation, beer, malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits, and you maintain any retail outlet in California, you are expect to post, display and maintain Proposition 65 warning signs for beverage alcohol.

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Please go to www.prop65signmanagement.com, and place an online order. If you have any questions about ordering signs, please email info@prop65signmanagement.com or call (800) 421-3003. The signs are provided free of charge. Unless you are asking for expedited shipping, the mailing costs are also covered. If you want expedited shipping, you will be asked to pay the cost of that expedited shipping.

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Proposition 65 Sign Management, Inc. offers 8.5 inch by 11 inch and 5 inch by 5 inch Proposition 65 warning signs for beverage alcohol.

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No, California ABC does not provide Proposition 65 warning signs or labels, but as part of its inspection of licensed businesses, ABC inspectors do note whether Proposition 65 alcohol warning signs are posted, so we encourage everyone to post, display and maintain all necessary signs.

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OEHHA does not provide Proposition 65 warning signs or labels, but has adopted regulations that provide guidance for both the methods and content of Proposition 65 warnings or consumer products, occupational and environmental exposures to listed chemicals. ¹

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