Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. is dedicated to providing the highest quality pickled products for all our customers by partnering with local farmers to source vine-ripened cucumbers and premium produce. You may see that some Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. products contain a “Prop 65” warning for Lead. California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, otherwise known as Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”), mandates that all businesses manufacturing, selling or distributing consumer products in or into California inform consumers if a product may contain any listed chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The Prop 65 list currently contains over 1,000 chemicals and includes a wide range of naturally occurring chemicals, including Lead.
Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. has elected to label its products with a Prop 65 warning out of an abundance of caution. In doing so, Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. is simply notifying its customers that Lead or other chemicals on the Prop 65-listed chemicals may be present in the product over certain exposure levels established in California (known as “safe harbor” levels). However, it is highly probable that any trace amount of Lead or other listed chemicals is the result of naturally occurring processes or is naturally occurring in soil, levels which may vary based on where the produce is grown.
Below are some common questions with respect to Prop 65:
What is Prop 65?
Prop 65 is not a food safety law. Instead, it is a “right to know” law for California residents. It requires that a “Clear and Reasonable Warning” be provided to consumers who may be exposed to certain chemicals “known to the State of California” to cause cancer or reproductive harm from use of the consumer product. There are currently over 1,000 chemicals “known to the State of California,” and they are listed here: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list.
I don’t live in California. Why am I seeing a Prop 65 label?
Even if you do not live in California, you may still see a Prop 65 label because Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. does business nationwide, and it is difficult to segregate supply chain streams to comply with one state only. To ensure accuracy and compliance, Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. has opted for consistent labeling nationwide. That way, no matter where you shop for our products, you get the same information all consumers receive.
Does a Prop 65 label mean the product is unsafe?
No, a Prop 65 label does not mean the product is unsafe. For over 75 years, Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. has been a trusted name, known for crafting high-quality, crisp, and flavorful pickles made from fresh ingredients. The potential presence of Lead or other chemicals in food products is typically the result of naturally occurring substances in the soil where the produce is grown or the result of naturally occurring substances from the manufacturing processes. Mrs. Klein’s Pickles Co. ensures compliance with all federal and state food safety laws. We have a dedicated QA/QC team focused entirely on quality to ensure that every jar meets the highest expectations for taste, freshness, and consistency. Quality is our promise, and a Prop 65 label does not change that.