CALIFORNIA PROP 65 NOTICE

Why You Might See a Warning Label on Switchback Smoothies (California Only)

California’s Proposition 65—officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act—requires a warning label on products sold in California if they contain even trace amounts of certain substances, including those that occur naturally in soil and plants.

This notice applies only to California consumers and not to customers in any other state or country.

Why the Warning?

California law mandates this warning if any ingredient in a product exceeds 1/1000th of the “Safe Harbor Levels” set by the state—even if those ingredients are naturally occurring and found in clean, uncontaminated soils.

Switchback smoothies are made with nutrient-rich, plant-based ingredients that naturally absorb trace minerals from the earth, including lead, which is present in virtually all fruits, vegetables, and grains—even those grown organically.

We Meet Global Safety Standards

The trace levels of naturally occurring minerals in Switchback smoothies fall well below the safety thresholds established by:

· The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

· Health Canada

· The European Union (EU)

These agencies have established science-based limits for naturally occurring substances in food, and our products consistently test within those safe ranges.

Putting It in Perspective

Many everyday foods contain significantly more naturally occurring lead than our smoothies:

· Green beans: 28.75 mcg per cup — 50x the Prop 65 limit

· Spinach: 5.2 mcg per serving — 10x the Prop 65 limit

· A day’s worth of vegetables (green beans, spinach, brussels sprouts) could expose you to 80x the Prop 65 limit, and 16x more lead than a serving of our smoothies.

 

Why Don’t All Brands Have This Warning?

Some large companies have the legal and financial resources to challenge or bypass Prop 65 requirements. Smaller, transparent brands like Switchback choose to comply rather than risk costly litigation—even though we believe our products qualify for the “naturally occurring” exemption.

Is It Safe?

Yes. All Switchback smoothies are safe to consume and meet or exceed the safety standards of major global health authorities. The Prop 65 warning is about exposure thresholds, not actual harm or toxicity.

In fact, California’s own studies show that vegetables grown in clean soils often exceed Prop 65 limits. Yet, food producers aren’t required to label fresh produce—only packaged goods like ours.

Why We Comply

We believe in transparency and safety. Until California updates its legislation or clarifies the “naturally occurring” exemption, we will continue to include the Prop 65 warning on smoothies sold in California.