Heavy Metals and Prop 65

Prop 65, or the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California "right to know" law that requires businesses to provide warnings about exposures to chemicals listed by the State of California as causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The law covers more than 900 chemicals, including some naturally occurring ones like heavy metals found in soil and water, which can make their way into food.

Prop 65’s warning threshold levels are almost always much lower than health-based thresholds set by U.S. federal health and safety regulators or even elsewhere in the world.  For reproductive toxicants, for example, the level is set at 1,000 times below the level at which no effect is expected to be observed based on animal studies.

Seaweed, like other plants and like seafood, can naturally absorb trace amounts of minerals, including heavy metals, from the environment. To ensure our customers have as much information as possible, we provide Prop 65 warnings for some of our products. This doesn't mean our seaweed is unsafe - it's simply about transparency and ensuring that you're informed about the possible presence of these naturally occurring materials.

Yes, it is safe to eat as part of a balanced diet. The levels of heavy metals in our seaweed are comparable to those found in many vegetables, such as spinach and carrots, as well as some types of fish and shellfish. These trace amounts are well within the safety limits set by health authorities, and we routinely test our products to confirm that our products comply with FDA and all other health-based laws and regulations.

Heavy metals like lead and cadmium are found in a variety of foods we eat every day. For example, root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, as well as seafood like mussels and oysters, can contain similar or even higher levels of these elements compared to seaweed. Just like these foods, seaweed can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

We prioritize your health and safety. Our seaweed is harvested from a USDA certified organic growing area off the coast of South Korea, and we conduct regular testing on both raw materials and finished product to ensure they meet strict safety standards. We comply with all laws and regulations, including Prop 65, to bring you a product that is both delicious and safe.

Not at all! The Prop 65 warning is there to inform you, but it doesn't mean that eating seaweed poses a health risk. In fact, seaweed is a nutritious food that's packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Like with any food, it's all about balance and moderation.

Seaweed, like other plants, absorbs minerals and nutrients from its environment as it grows. Since the ocean contains trace amounts of heavy metals, it's natural for seaweed to absorb them too. This is a normal part of how plants and seafood get their nutrients, whether they grow in the ocean or on land.

Absolutely! Gimme Seaweed is a wholesome snack that's rich in flavor and nutrients. As with all foods, it's best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. We're committed to providing you with snacks that are not only tasty but also aligned with your health and wellness goals.

Yes, we have seen the reports but rest assured, there is no reason for concern. Our snacks are perfectly safe to enjoy.  The heavy metal levels reported in these test results are below California’s strict Prop. 65 limits, which are set 1,000 times lower than the level where harm could occur. You would need to eat an unimaginably large number of packs per day for years to even approach levels where there could be a health concern. See below for more detail on Prop 65.

We have reviewed the 3rd party test results and, unfortunately, the interpretation is incorrect and misleading. Here we outline the key issues in the report:

 a. Incorrect Benchmark: The test summary uses the wrong benchmark to evaluate the lab results. It compares the results to the limits from proposed federal legislation for baby food that was never enacted because regulators and scientists determined the limits were unachievable due to the naturally occurring presence of low levels heavy metals in many of the foods we eat everyday.

 b. Understanding Arsenic: The lab analysis measured "total arsenic", which includes both organic and inorganic types. While inorganic arsenic could be a concern, organic arsenic is naturally found in many foods and isn't harmful. Unfortunately, the 3rd party interpretation of the test mistakenly compares the total arsenic results with the proposed limit for inorganic arsenic, which is misleading since they're not the same thing. For more information on the difference between organic and inorganic arsenic, you can refer to this article from McGill University What's the Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Arsenic?

c. Prop 65: Gimme benchmarks against California's Prop 65. Prop 65, or the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California "right to know" law that requires businesses to provide warnings about exposures to chemicals listed by the State of California as causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The law covers more than 900 chemicals, including some naturally occurring ones like heavy metals found in soil and water, which can make their way into food.

To our knowledge, Prop 65 levels are the most stringent regulatory
standards established by any regulatory agency in the U.S., set far below the levels expected to cause an adverse health impact. Specifically, Prop 65 levels
are set 1,000 times below the No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) – a safety margin so large that even trace amounts of substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury
are well within the safe limits for consumption. These limits are very
conservative, and they don’t mean that a product is unsafe.

The levels for lead, cadmium, and mercury in the 3rd party report are below the “safe harbor” levels established under California’s Prop 65.  As discussed above, the lab did not test for inorganic arsenic - the type most relevant under Prop 65. 

We are committed to the safety of our customers and will continue to conduct regular testing on both raw materials and finished product to ensure they meet strict safety standards. We comply with all laws and regulations, including Prop 65, to bring you a product that is both delicious and safe. You can feel confident that Gimme Seaweed Snacks are 100% safe for you and your family to enjoy.