California Proposition 65
California Proposition 65
⚠️ WARNING
Consuming this product can expose you to lead, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food
What is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 is a California law passed in 1986 that requires businesses to notify California consumers about significant exposures to chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The law covers over 900 chemicals, many of which occur naturally in the environment.
Why does matcha have a Proposition 65 warning?
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and the ocean worldwide. Tea plants, like all plants, absorb trace minerals from the soil in which they grow—including lead. This is true for matcha grown anywhere in the world, including Japan.
California's Proposition 65 sets a threshold of 0.5 micrograms of lead per day for requiring a warning. This standard is approximately 25 times stricter than the FDA's limit of 12.5 micrograms per day.
To put this in perspective: the Prop 65 threshold is so low that many common foods—including potatoes, lettuce, carrots, and leafy greens—would also require a warning if sold as packaged products.
Is My Japanese Grandma matcha safe?
Yes. Our matcha is tested for safety and quality, and meets FDA standards for adult consumption. The trace amounts of naturally occurring lead in our matcha are well below FDA guidelines and are similar to levels found in many everyday fruits and vegetables.
We never add lead or any other chemicals to our products. Our matcha is 100% pure, shade-grown, first-harvest ceremonial grade—nothing added, nothing removed.
Why do we display this warning?
Rather than test every batch for all 900+ chemicals on the Prop 65 list or attempt to prove that trace elements come only from natural sources (which is prohibitively expensive and complex), we provide this warning out of an abundance of caution to comply with California law.
A Proposition 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe. It means we are being transparent and complying with California's labeling requirements.
More information
For more details about Proposition 65, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
If you have questions about our products or this warning, please contact us at hello@myjapanesegrandma.com
Last updated: January 2026