CALIFORNIA PROP 65 statement

We at K’UL® we take food safety, quality and conformity with legislative and regulatory standards very seriously. This is accomplished through our commitment to maintaining a well-documented supplier program meeting applicable requirements of California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65.

Trace levels of minerals and elements, such as cadmium or lead (heavy metals), can be found in nearly all cocoa products. However, it is widely accepted by the industry that these elements are absorbed at the farm level through the soil of the cacao trees. Therefore, the values may vary from each individual farm. With regards to minerals, i.e. heavy metals, Prop 65 gives an exemption for chemicals that are “naturally occurring” in food.

Cadmium is a naturally-occurring component in soil, and many plants take it up as they absorb nutrients, which is how it gets into our cocoa beans. According to the CDC, cadmium is commonly found in vegetables, and in relatively high concentrations in leafy greens like spinach. The law won’t allow us to say much more about how the tiny trace amounts found in our product will affect your health, but if you want to reduce your exposure to cadmium generally, you might consider eating fewer leafy greens. Virtually all chocolate needs to have a prop 65 warning, but if you’d like a more nuanced view or want to know more, visit www.P65warnings.ca.gov, send us an email, or give us a call @ (877) 342-2452.

Therefore, we consider our chocolate products to be in compliance with current Prop 65 regulations. We will adjust our policies as necessary as more information on new Prop 65 standards becomes available.

*This communication is intended to provide advice to K’UL Chocolate’s customers upon their request. Our interpretation of the law does not represent a formal legal opinion, as we have not sought concurrence with the competent authorities. Customers are encouraged to consult with their own legal counsel.