California is looking into no longer including coffee in Prop 65 as a carcinogenic substance, according to the Los Angeles Times. California’s state agency which regulates harmful chemicals in food and other products has stated that coffee does not pose a significant risk of cancer. Therefore, the proposal would include updating California regulations. A public hearing regarding this was held in Sacramento. If the proposal passes, the court ruling of Prop 65 would be reversed.
This move, proposed by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), is based on an evaluation conducted by the Europe-based International Agency for Research on Cancer. This organization, part of the World Health Organization, did not conclusively find that coffee is carcinogenic.
The results of this affects all those who distribute, manufacture, and sell coffee in California. If this proposal takes effect, coffee will no longer need a Prop 65 warning label. This will be a positive move towards the recognition of coffee’s benefits.
