It requires businesses to provide warning labels on products sold in California if they contain any of over 900 chemicals identified by the state as potentially causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. This requirement often applies even when the chemical levels are significantly below the safety thresholds set by the FDA and the World Health Organization.
For detailed information about Prop 65 and the full list of chemicals, visit California Proposition 65 Official Site.
Certain naturally occurring chemicals, such as myrcene and methyleugenol, are found in plants used to produce essential oils. These compounds are part of the plant's natural defense mechanisms and are not added during processing. Under California's regulations, products containing naturally occurring chemicals may qualify for a labeling exemption.
Amrita Aromatherapy ensures that its essential oils and botanical products meet these exemption standards. For instance, naturally occurring substances in essential oils, like safrole in Black Pepper, are exempt from Prop 65 warnings (27 CCR § 25501 (a) & (b)).
At Amrita Aromatherapy, product safety and quality are top priorities. We are transparent about sourcing, manufacturing, and testing to ensure compliance with state, national, and international regulations.
Testing Standards: All products and ingredients undergo rigorous testing, particularly for lead and heavy metals.
Certificates of Analysis (CoA), Gas Chromatography (CG), and Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Available for all botanicals, these documents provide detailed safety and quality testing results. Amrita ensures lead levels are consistently below three parts per million (ppm).
Supplier Vetting: Special attention is given to botanicals sourced from regions with higher environmental risks, such as China and India. Each batch, ingredient, or final product, is vetted by Dr. Streicher and Amrita’s experts to ensure quality every time you use one of Amrita’s products.*
While Prop 65 warnings may appear alarming, they reflect California's uniquely strict requirements rather than an actual safety risk. The thresholds for Prop 65 are significantly lower than those established by global health authorities.
A Note from Dr. Christoph Streicher:
Dr. Christoph Streicher, founder of Amrita Aromatherapy, emphasizes the safety of essential oils, even when trace compounds are present. From a scientific point of view, there are several reasons why there is no concern of safety with the essential oils in question from Prop 65. He offers three such reasons:
1. Studies showing adverse effects often use isolated compounds at dosages far exceeding therapeutic levels. Many if the studies which claim an adverse effect, are done on mice. Differently than rats, mice have an immune system very different from humans. There is good reason to think, that the same experiment on rats would not have shown an adverse effect.*
2. Naturally derived compounds in essential oils function holistically, with toxicity mitigated by the plant's complex chemical makeup. To see any significant effect, the compounds in question are given in a much higher dosage, than a therapeutic dosage. The assumption is, that adverse effects are linearly increasing with dosage. However, this assumption is incorrect. Example water: there is absolutely, no adverse effect of drinking 64 oz of water per day, it is rather advisable.* However, if you drinking 64 oz of water per hour, starting in the morning, you will not survive the day.* There is no linearity. Starting from a certain dosage, any compound may be toxic.*
3. Essential oils like Peppermint, despite containing trace compounds such as menthofuran, are widely regarded as safe when used as intended. Peppermint Oil is considered safe even for children.* In these studies, isolated compounds were tested. It is well known, and this proves the validity of the holistic healing paradigm, that the toxicity of any substance is greatly reduced if not completely precluded if it is part of a natural composition of compounds as the plant has produced it.*
Amrita Aromatherapy remains dedicated to offering pure, finest-quality essential oils and products you can trust for use in your home, with your family, and for personal well-being.* If you have any concerns or questions regarding this notice, please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amrita.net.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
