California Prop 65 Testing
Compliance Analysis

Protect your brand from lawsuits with our accredited California Prop 65 testing services. We provide ultra-low level detection of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Mercury to ensure compliance with California's Safe Harbor limits.

Regulation
CA Prop 65
Focus
Safe Harbor Levels
Target Analytes
Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg)

Navigate Regulations with California Prop 65 Testing

California Proposition 65 (The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act) is one of the strictest chemical regulations in the world. It requires businesses to provide a Clear and Reasonable Warning if their product exposes consumers to chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.
For food manufacturers, the primary risk involves naturally occurring Heavy Metals. A simple "Pass" from an FDA perspective may still fail CA Prop 65 limits, leading to expensive lawsuits. AGT Food Labs provides the precise, low-level California Prop 65 testing needed to determine if your product requires a warning label. Compliance with California Prop 65 is critical for any brand selling in the state.

The California Prop 65 Testing Process

From sample submission to exposure calculation, we guide you through compliance.

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01. Request
Request a California Prop 65 testing screen and provide your product's Daily Serving Size (crucial for calculation).
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02. Shipping
Send 100g of sample to our lab. We recommend testing 3 distinct lots to account for variability.
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03. ICP-MS Analysis
We use Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect metals at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels.
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04. Exposure Report
We convert the results into micrograms/day exposure to compare against MADL/NSRL Safe Harbor limits.

California Prop 65 Testing Services

Specialized screening designed to detect "The Big 4" heavy metals at trace levels.

ICP-MS instrument used for California Prop 65 testing of heavy metals
The Big 4

California Prop 65 Heavy Metals Screen

We test for the four primary heavy metals cited in lawsuits using ICP-MS (AOAC 2015.01). Standard labs often use "ICP-OES" which has detection limits in the ppm range—too high for CA Prop 65. Our ICP-MS technology reaches parts-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity, which is essential for accurate California Prop 65 testing, preventing False Pass results that lead to litigation.

Arsenic Speciation: If Total Arsenic is high, don't panic. We can perform "Speciation" to separate the harmless Organic Arsenic (common in seafood) from the toxic Inorganic Arsenic (the regulated form), potentially saving your product from a warning label.

Target Analytes:
  • Lead (Pb): The #1 cause of Prop 65 notices.
  • Cadmium (Cd): Common in cocoa, seeds, and shellfish.
  • Arsenic (As): Speciation available for rice/seaweed.
  • Mercury (Hg): Concern for seafood products.
Chemical risk assessment chart for California Prop 65 testing compliance
Risk Assessment

Exposure Calculation for Prop 65

CA Prop 65 limits are based on Total Daily Exposure (µg/day), not just concentration (ppm). A simple concentration number doesn't tell the full story. We perform the critical math for you:

The Exposure Formula:
Concentration (ppm) × Daily serving size (g) = Exposure (µg/day)

Example: A protein powder has 0.1 ppm Lead.
• If serving is 5g: 0.1 × 5 = 0.5 µg/day (PASS)
• If serving is 50g: 0.1 × 50 = 5.0 µg/day (FAIL - Warning Required)

We help you define the correct serving size and compare your results directly against the MADL (Maximum Allowable Dose Level). Failure to meet California Prop 65 limits can result in costly litigation.

Technical Capabilities for California Prop 65 Testing

Using advanced ICP-MS technology to reach parts-per-billion (ppb) detection.

Analyte Method Reference Technique Typical Limit of Quantitation (LOQ)
Lead (Pb)AOAC 2015.01ICP-MS5 ppb (0.005 ppm)
Cadmium (Cd)AOAC 2015.01ICP-MS5 ppb (0.005 ppm)
Arsenic (Total)AOAC 2015.01ICP-MS10 ppb (0.010 ppm)
Arsenic (Inorganic)FDA EAM 4.10HPLC-ICP-MS10 ppb (0.010 ppm)
Mercury (Hg)AOAC 2015.01ICP-MS5 ppb (0.005 ppm)

Understanding California Prop 65 Safe Harbor Limits

California Prop 65 sets specific limits for Cancer (NSRL) and Reproductive Toxicity (MADL). Exceeding these requires a warning label.

Lead (Pb) Limit

0.5 µg/day (MADL)
This is the most strictly enforced limit. Consuming just one serving containing >0.5 micrograms of Lead may trigger a warning requirement.

Cadmium (Cd) Limit

4.1 µg/day (MADL)
Often an issue in chocolate, sunflower seeds, and spinach. Exceeding this daily intake level poses a reproductive toxicity risk.

Arsenic (Inorganic) Limit

10 µg/day (NSRL)
Limits apply specifically to Inorganic Arsenic (the toxic form). Rice and seaweed products must be carefully monitored.

Common Questions About California Prop 65 Testing

Expert answers for food manufacturers regarding Prop 65 compliance.

What is the legal limit for Lead under California Prop 65?
The "Safe Harbor" limit (MADL) for Lead is 0.5 micrograms per day. This is calculated by multiplying the concentration in your food (ppm) by the serving size (grams). If the result is >0.5, a warning label is required unless you can prove the lead is "naturally occurring."
What is a "60-Day Notice"?
A 60-Day Notice is a legal document sent by a private enforcer (bounty hunter) alleging that your product contains chemicals above the safe harbor level without a warning. If you receive one, you have 60 days to respond before a lawsuit is filed. California Prop 65 testing helps prevent this by ensuring your labels are accurate before sale.
Are Organic products exempt from California Prop 65?
No. "Organic" refers to how food is grown (no synthetic pesticides), but heavy metals are naturally in the soil. Organic products often have higher levels of heavy metals because they use natural fertilizers (like manure/compost) which can be rich in metals. Organic status offers no protection against CA Prop 65.
How often should I test my products?
Since heavy metals come from the soil, levels can vary by harvest. We recommend testing every new lot of raw ingredients initially. Once you establish a baseline, you can move to a quarterly surveillance schedule to maintain "Reasonable Care" defense.
How is California Prop 65 different from FDA regulations?
The FDA sets limits based on "Acute Toxicity" (poisoning), while Prop 65 focuses on "Chronic Risk" (cancer/reproductive harm) over a lifetime. Prop 65 limits are often 100x to 1000x stricter than FDA limits. A product can be FDA compliant but still illegal to sell in California without a warning.
Does a positive test mean I cannot sell my product?
No. California Prop 65 is a "Right to Know" law, not a ban. You can still sell your product if it exceeds the limit, but you MUST place a compliant Prop 65 Warning Label on the package. Failure to warn is what leads to lawsuits.

Don't Wait for a Notice of Violation.

Screen your products for California Prop 65 compliance today and sell with confidence in the California market.

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