FAQ – Proposition 65

Proposition 65 is a California law that requires a clear and reasonable warning to consumers for products that contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Some Girl Scout Cookie Products contain the chemical acrylamide, which was discovered in 2002 and is formed by the reaction of naturally occurring sugars and a particular amino acid when food is cooked at higher temperatures, such as when baked, roasted, or fried. With few exceptions, the chemicals in food that appear on the Proposition 65 list are not intentionally added to food. They are picked up from the soil or formed during cooking or other processes.

You have likely seen Proposition 65 statements at various restaurants and establishments that carry food. Proposition 65 includes a very wide range of safety factors when determining what chemicals are included on the Proposition 65 list. Given the difficulty of determining what is a carcinogen and the extremely wide range of safety factors used by California, there is often a great deal of controversy regarding chemicals added to the Proposition 65 list. The purpose of Proposition 65 is to alert consumers to potential risk and enable them to make an informed decision regarding the products they consume.

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 http://p65warnings.ca.gov/food.

If a customer asks about the Prop 65 warning, you or your Girl Scout can explain that in accordance with California law, consumers will now see this warning in many restaurants, grocery stores, and even hardware stores. The purpose of the Proposition is to alert customers so they can make informed decisions regarding the products they consume. With few exceptions, the chemicals in food that appear on the Proposition 65 list are not intentionally added to the food. They are formed during the cooking, baking, or other process.

The website for Prop 65 is p65warnings.ca.gov.