Call Renewed For FDA to Preempt Proposition 65

By Ricardo Carvajal –      

In January 2008, FDA received a citizen petition asking it to “issue a formal determination that when applied to foods and dietary supplements, California's Proposition 65 causes consumer confusion, ‘misbrands’ safe and wholesome products, and frustrates FDA's ability to carry out its statutory mandates.”  California’s recent Proposition 65 action against lead in dietary supplements appears to be reinvigorating that effort.  FDA has received a supplemental submission to the docket established for the petition noting that California’s action is founded on an FDA survey showing that the products at issue posed no safety concerns.  The supplemental submission also highlights the cooperation between California’s Attorney General (AG) and private plaintiffs in the case, and attacks the AG’s inclusion of claims under the state’s unfair competition law, which would give rise to additional penalties and extend the statute of limitations.  If the recent news about the potential presence of mercury in high fructose corn syrup begets another Proposition 65 action, we’re betting that this citizen petition will find a few more friends.