California Proposition 65 Warning

California Proposition 65

Proposition 65 is a California law that requires businesses to give a clear warning before exposing anyone to chemicals the state has listed as causing cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. That list runs to hundreds of substances and includes alcohol itself, as well as trace compounds that can occur naturally in fermented and barrel-aged drinks.

Why you may see a warning

If a bottle shipped to California carries a Proposition 65 warning on its label or on its product page, it means the producer or importer decided a warning was required for that product. The warning reflects exposure thresholds set by the State of California. It is not a judgement that a particular drink is unsafe for any individual, and it is not a statement that the product fails any federal standard.

How to read it

The standard wording used on alcoholic beverages is: WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. Producers repeat that wording on labels for the California market. Toast Trader does not add or remove producer warnings, and we cannot tell you whether a specific bottle will carry one until that producer’s current batch arrives.

Reducing exposure

You cannot remove a listed chemical from a sealed bottle by storing it differently, and we will not suggest that you can. If you want to limit exposure, the only reliable route is to drink less, or not at all. Speak to a doctor if you have a medical question about alcohol and your own health.

Contact

Questions about a warning on a specific order: [email protected] or .