PROP 65 WARNING & COMPLIANCE INFORMATION

WHAT DOES THE PROP 65 WARNING ON MY HOOKED COOLER MEAN?

You may have noticed a warning label stating:
“This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
While this warning may seem alarming, it is commonly found on many everyday products, including those in homes, restaurants, and even theme parks in California.

This warning is a requirement of California’s Proposition 65, officially known as the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It was enacted to inform consumers about potential exposures to certain chemicals.

WHY DOES HOOKED COOLERS INCLUDE THIS WARNING?

Hooked Coolers, Inc. is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including Proposition 65. However, the way Prop 65 is structured makes it difficult to determine with absolute certainty whether any given product requires a warning. The law covers over 850 chemicals, some of which may be present in our roto-molded coolers made of polyethylene (PolyE) and polyurethane (PolyU), as well as other materials found in our products.

Legal & Compliance Considerations

  • Prop 65 allows private lawsuits to enforce compliance, often initiated by private citizens or law firms. These lawsuits have resulted in significant penalties and legal costs for many companies.

  • Because Hooked Coolers manufactures and sells nationwide, including California, we elect to provide this warning out of an abundance of caution rather than risk non-compliance.

It is important to note that a Proposition 65 warning does not mean that a product is unsafe or that it violates any federal safety regulations. According to the California government:

"The fact that a product bears a Proposition 65 warning does not mean by itself that the product is unsafe."

This law is primarily a “right-to-know” notification, rather than an indication of product safety.

I PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA; WHY IS THE WARNING INCLUDED?

Our products are distributed across the United States, and it is impractical to track which items will ultimately be sold in or brought into California. To ensure full compliance with Proposition 65 regulations, we have decided to include the warning on all applicable products, regardless of their final destination.

WHAT IS PROPOSITION 65?

Proposition 65 is a broad California law requiring businesses to inform consumers if a product contains or may contain any chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. The law applies to any company operating in California, selling products in California, or manufacturing products that may be sold in California.

The Prop 65 chemical list is maintained by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and is updated annually. Many of the listed chemicals are found in everyday household products, including Dyes, Solvents, Food additives, Pesticides, and Tobacco products.

The intent of Proposition 65 is not to ban products, but to inform consumers of their potential exposure.

HOW DOES PROP 65 DEFINE “NO SIGNIFICANT RISK” LEVELS?

Carcinogens (Cancer-Causing Substances)

  • A “no significant risk” level is defined as the level of exposure that would result in no more than one additional case of cancer in 100,000 people over a 70-year lifetime.

  • If you are exposed to a chemical at this level every day for 70 years, the theoretical risk increase would be less than 1 in 100,000.

Reproductive Toxicants

  • A chemical is considered safe if its exposure level is 1,000 times lower than the “no observable effect level” (the highest dose found to have no observable reproductive harm in humans or animals).

Because Proposition 65 regulations apply even at extremely low levels, some chemicals present in trace amounts may still require labeling, even if the exposure risk is minimal.

HOOKED COOLERS MATERIALS & PROP 65 COMPLIANCE

Our roto-molded coolers are primarily made of Polyethylene (PolyE) & Polyurethane (PolyU).

Other Hooked Coolers products may contain additional materials. If you need specific details about the composition of any product, please contact our customer support team.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hooked Coolers, Inc. provides this Proposition 65 warning as a precautionary measure to comply with California law. This does not mean our products are unsafe, nor does it indicate that they pose a health risk when used as intended. We remain committed to delivering high-quality, durable products that meet or exceed all federal and industry safety standards.

For a full list of Proposition 65 chemicals and additional details, visit the official California OEHHA website:  https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65

If you have any further questions regarding our compliance with Prop 65, please contact Hooked Coolers customer service. We’re happy to help!