Hey everyone. This week, we’re back to public health. I wanted to discuss some new legislation introduced in the state of California that would require prenatal vitamin manufacturers to both test for and publicly disclose the levels of heavy metals in their products. This is exceptionally important because heavy metals can have a negative impact on both mothers and their fetuses.
Details of Senate Bill 646
This bill—Senate Bill 646- was passed by the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 30th, and EWG is now sponsoring the bill.
This bill responds to the growing concern of toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury being present in prenatal supplements. For example, a recent peer-reviewed study found that nearly 15% of prenatal vitamins tested for the presence of heavy metals exceeded the safety threshold of 0.5 milligrams of lead per serving set by California’s Proposition 65.
What Would Senate Bill 646 Do?
If this bill passes, California would once again lead the country in public health legislation and become the first state to require testing for and the disclosure of heavy metals in prenatal vitamins. This bill would be great for many reasons, one of which is that it encourages other states to adopt stronger maternal protections in their legislation as well.
This bill would require manufacturers to test samples of their products regularly and then post those results online beginning in 2027. These disclosures would have to include the names and levels of each heavy metal detected, and the bottles of vitamins would also have to include a QR code linking to the results. Therefore, this bill would greatly increase transparency and likely improve maternal health outcomes.
When pregnant people take vitamins to benefit their health and encourage the healthy development of their child, those supplements should not contain metals that can cause negative consequences to their fetus. Transparency is key, and keeping these manufacturers accountable is essential.
Further, Senate Bill 646 would allow consumers the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. It is concerning that heavy metals can be present in prenatal vitamins, considering the impact they can have on a fetus. When those wanting to buy these products see that, it may cause them to think twice about purchasing a certain prenatal supplement, thus driving manufacturers to make changes. Hopefully, the newfound transparency can drive industry reform by ensuring supplement manufacturers stay publicly accountable.
Evidence of Concern: Prenatal Vitamins
A 2023 Government Accountability Office Report found lead in half of the prenatal vitamins that were sampled, with cadmium being found in several others. The levels found during research did not exceed the levels of concern by the FDA’s standards, however, research points to the fact that even low doses of exposure to heavy metals can have a serious effect on pregnant women and fetal development.
What’s Next?
As of right now, prenatal supplements fall under broad dietary supplement regulations by the FDA, and neither US law nor the FDA requires the companies manufacturing prenatal supplements to test for heavy metals or disclose results. In my opinion, this is a huge lack of oversight and incredibly concerning as a consumer. This allows for zero accountability and transparency in the vitamin and supplement manufacturing industries, which permits these companies to cheaply produce and distribute their products with little regard to their quality.
Senate Bill 646 would change that. It would establish clear guidelines and standards leading to greater transparency in the industry. It would allow expectant mothers to make informed decisions and give them greater confidence when it comes to the health of their developing fetus.
Next, the bill goes to the Appropriations Committee. I have confidence in this bill and its ability to be enacted. After all, it only leads to greater transparency, accountability, and oversight in corporate companies, and ensures greater safety for expectant mothers.
Closing
Pals! Thanks a ton for reading. I hope you learned something new and enjoyed diving into this topic with me. Here’s a link to the EWG article I learned all this information from! Be back next week with another topic!