Toxics Labeling Exemption Sought for Foods

Arguing that Proposition 65 will require the labeling of virtually all food and beverage products sold in California, a coalition of food growers and manufacturers has asked the state Health and Welfare Agency for an exemption from the anti-toxics initiative’s product labeling requirements.

“Merely washing food with water, or using water to mix with food” could leave small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals on any of the 15,000 food and beverage items marketed, argued the industry groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Farm Bureau and the California Grocers Assn.

The organizations contend that Proposition 65 will require labeling of these products, beginning next March, unless the state Health and Welfare Agency acknowledges that the food supply is already adequately protected and grants the labeling exemption to all food products.

“The food supply is safe,” said Sacramento attorney Tom Knox, who represents the industry groups. “That’s our message.”

However, one of the authors of Proposition 65 branded the petition effort as “an outrageous attempt to avoid the clear mandate of the voters.” Carl Pope, political director of the Sierra Club, said that trace amounts of chemicals in water are unlikely to involve the ballot measure’s warning requirements.

The debate is similar to one carried out during the fall election campaign, when industry groups argued that Proposition 65 would result in a proliferation of labels that would only confuse the public.

The anti-toxics initiative requires that the governor prepare a list of chemicals that cause cancer or have reproductive effects. Beginning in March of 1988, businesses will be required to warn the public of exposures to any of the chemicals on the list. Companies that fail to issue adequate warnings will be subject to suits that could be filed by any citizen.