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March 2024 Bounty Hunter Plaintiff Claims

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Logo for Prop 65 Pulse, a Keller and Heckman LLP newsletter, with imagery of a heart monitor and the outline of California

 

Exploring Trends in California’s Proposition 65: Claims, Chemicals, Products, and More



California’s Proposition 65 (“Prop. 65”), the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires, among other things, sellers of products to provide a “clear and reasonable warning” if use of the product results in a knowing and intentional exposure to one of more than 900 different chemicals “known to the State of California” to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, which are included on The Proposition 65 List. For additional background information, see the Special Focus article, California's Proposition 65: A Regulatory Conundrum.

Because Prop. 65 permits enforcement of the law by private individuals (the so-called bounty hunter provision), this section of the statute has long been a source of significant claims and litigation in California. It has also gone a long way in helping to create a plaintiff’s bar that specializes in such lawsuits. This is because the statute allows recovery of attorney’s fees, in addition to the imposition of civil penalties as high as $2,500 per day per violation. Thus, the costs of litigation, and settlement, can be substantial.

The purpose of Keller and Heckman’s latest publication, Prop 65 Pulse, is to provide our readers with an idea of the ongoing trends in bounty hunter activity. 

In March of 2024, product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers were the targets of over 443 new Notices of Violation (“Notices”) and amended Notices, alleging a violation of Prop. 65 for failure to provide a warning for their products. Notices were based on the alleged presence of the following chemicals in these products. Noteworthy trends and categories from Notices sent in March 2024 are excerpted and discussed below. A complete list of Notices sent in March 2024 can be found on the California Attorney General’s website, located here: 60-Day Notice Search.

Food and Drug

Product Category Notice(s) Alleged Chemicals
Dietary Supplements: Notices include superfood smoothie kits, herbal supplements, moringa powder, algae powder, maca root powder, tienchi powder, botanical water, protein powder, agar-agar, lactation supplements 45+ Notices

Cadmium, Lead and Lead Compounds, Mercury and Mercury Compounds

Seafood: Notices include tuna, sardines, sandless laver, dried squid, sea scallops, mussels in sauce, dried seaweed, shrimp, dried croaker, and fish balls 30+ Notices Lead and Lead Compounds, Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
Fruits and Vegetables: Notices include spinach, dried cantaloupe, dried pineapple, sun-dried tomatoes, dried thistle, chacon maca, ginger, and chai tea 25+ Notices Lead and Lead Compounds, Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
Spices and Sauces: Notices include mole, ground cinnamon, mulling spice, curry paste, adobo sauce, and romesco dip 9 Notices Lead and Lead Compounds, and Cadmium
Assorted Prepared Food and Snacks: Notices include rice paper, blueberry muffins, hot cocoa, banana snack bars, cookies, beet and yacon crisps, trail mix, and plant-based meats 50+ Notices Lead and Lead Compounds, Cadmium, and Cadmium Compounds
Mushrooms: Notices include dried mushrooms, shiitake, wild forest, porcini, mushroom patties and balls 10 Notices Mercury, Lead and Lead Compounds, and Cadmium

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Product Category Notice(s) Alleged Chemicals
Powdered Cosmetics and Hairspray: Notices include compact finishing powder, bronzing powder, eyeshadow palettes, root coverup, blush, setting powder, and eyebrow powder 40+ Notices Titanium Dioxide (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size)
Personal Care Items: Notices include mascara, healing clay, shoulder massagers, lotion, skin lightening creams, shampoo, eyebrow kits, rosacea gel, and facial scrubs 19 Notices

Diethanolamine, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Lead, Mercury, Mercury and Mercury Compounds,1,4-Dioxane, Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)

Consumer Products

Product Category Notice(s) Alleged Chemicals
Shower Curtain Liners and Shower Caps 4 Notices Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
Clothing and Shoes: Notices include leather gloves, safety vest, sandals with PVC components, jelly sandals, hats, and fish belts 9 Notices Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Chromium (hexavalent compounds), Lead
Weather-proof Clothing: Notices include gloves, jackets, rain pants, sports wraps, and umbrellas 8 Notices Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)

Socks and Clear Heels

6 Notices Bisphenol A (BPA)

Plastic Pouches, Bags, and Accessories: Notices include toiletry bags, phone cases, travel cases and organizers, faux leather wallets, eyeglass holders, badge holders, and purses

30+ Notices

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and Lead

Glassware and Ceramics: Notices include mugs, salt and pepper shakers, dinner plates, storage jars, pet bowls, spoon rests, jewelry catchall trays, glass ornaments, and wine glasses 40+ Notices Lead and Lead Compounds
Hardware and Home Improvement Products: Notices include elbow conduits, anchor bolts, brass bars, cabinet knobs, roof flashing, solder, brass switches, and faucet seats 30+ Notices Lead and Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Other Consumer Products: Notices include photo albums, dumbbells and kettle bells, candle holders, napkin holders, bed air mattresses, and a garage bar stool 50+ Notices

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP),

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and Lead

There are numerous defenses to Prop. 65 claims and proactive measures that industry can take prior to receiving a Prop. 65 Notice in the first place. Keller and Heckman attorneys have extensive experience in defense of Prop. 65 claims and in all aspects of Prop. 65 compliance and risk management. We provide tailored Prop. 65 services to a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, consumer products, chemical products, e-vapor and tobacco products, household products, plastics and rubber, and retail distribution.

To contact us with questions or for more information about California's Proposition 65, email prop65@khlaw.com or call our Washington, DC office at 202.434.4100 or our San Francisco office at 415.948.2800.