News

November 2016

Warning Labels for Aloe and Goldenseal Ingredients Effective 12/4

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in the state of California added Aloe vera, non-decolorized whole leaf extract and goldenseal root powder to the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (or Proposition 65) list of known carcinogens on December 4, 2015. Dietary supplement companies had one year to add the warning labels to their products containing these ingredients, making Proposition 65 warning requirements effective December 4, 2016. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and others previously came forward to criticize these additions, noting that other parts of the aloe plant, including Aloe vera gel and Aloe vera gel extract, should be excluded. The AHPA also challenged the evidence used to identify goldenseal as a carcinogen. The AHPA has recently published guidance, including possible exemptions for "naturally occurring" food ingredients, for companies to follow.

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