Proposition 65

[Guest guest]

I recently received Mayway's flyer on Prop 65 and how it applies to their

herbal products. There's a lot of information in the flyer so I attempt to

summarize it all here. In short, Mayway was recently sued and forced to

comply with Proposition 65 by printing warnings on their products' labels

that state that the product contains substances known to cause cancer and

birth defects. The levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium exceed those

permitted under Proposition 65. Before I decide how this information might

affect how I prescribe herbs, I'd like to know more than just the numbers of

ppb, etc. I have written to Mayway with additional questions (which they

haven't yet replied to), checked some websites and so far still have

unanswered questions. Perhaps some of you can help narrow my research.

 

Is there any type of comparison that can be made that would give us and our

patients a 'feeling' for the additional risk they are being exposed to? For

instance, could a comparison be made between the amount of herb consumed and

number of days living in an urban environment where there is also heavy

metal exposure? or number of X-rays? or number of cigarettes smoked? (ee

gads, I wouldn't want to have to make that comparison.) My concern is that

some of my patients may reflexively turn away from Chinese herbs unless I am

confident the risk is negligible and can communicate that in an effective

way. The risk sounds negligible when I read the numbers but without any

basis of comparison to other cancer risks, I don't feel I really understand.

Given that some of us are using herbs at much higher dosages than the

(Mayway) standard 8 pills 3 times daily, I don't feel confident that some of

the reassurances Mayway puts forward can be applied in other cases. Likely,

other herb companies are facing this issue now, too .

 

Also, does anyone know what other industries are affected by Prop 65 (water

and food, are two) and which ones have succeeded in establishing their own

industry-wide standards, making them exempt from Prop 65?

 

I would encourage anyone who hasn't read Mayway's mailing or other info on

this topic, to inform themselves. Mayway did a very good job of laying out

the information in their flyer.

 

Marian

[Guest guest]

You can basically tell her that almost anything she ingest including foods have higher levels than Prop 65 allows

Alon

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/24/01 11:02:01 PM, marianb writes:

 

<< I recently received Mayway's flyer on Prop 65 and how it applies to their

herbal products. There's a lot of information in the flyer so I attempt to

summarize it all here. In short, Mayway was recently sued and forced to

comply with Proposition 65 by printing warnings on their products' labels

that state that the product contains substances known to cause cancer and

birth defects. The levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium exceed those

permitted under Proposition 65. Before I decide how this information might

affect how I prescribe herbs, I'd like to know more than just the numbers of

ppb, etc. I have written to Mayway with additional questions (which they

haven't yet replied to), checked some websites and so far still have

unanswered questions. Perhaps some of you can help narrow my research.

>>

 

It is my understanding that JAke Fratkins new book will cover all the

information necessary to meet the needs outlined in your e-mail.

Jake?