Committee advances bill requiring testing and disclosure for prenatal vitamins amid concerns about heavy metals
Summary
SB 646 would require manufacturers to test prenatal vitamin lots for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury and to publish results online beginning Jan. 1, 2027; the Assembly Health Committee referred the bill with amendments after supporters and trade groups debated potential unintended effects on product formulation and consumer behavior.
The Assembly Health Committee voted to refer SB 646 to the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee after a long hearing over contamination of prenatal vitamins and whether mandatory testing and disclosure could help reduce exposure to heavy metals.
Senator Weber Pearson, the bill’s author, said recent studies found troubling levels of heavy metals in prenatal vitamins and that “prenatal vitamins are essential to supporting healthy pregnancies” but must not expose pregnant people or fetuses to toxic elements. The bill would require manufacturers to test each lot for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, publicly disclose results online beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and prohibit sale or distribution of noncompliant products in California.
Susan Little of the Environmental Working Group, a cosponsor, said a University of Miami study and other analyses found lead in many prenatal products and argued that Proposition 65 warnings do not provide usable information for consumers. “If enacted, SB 646 would empower consumers with crucial information while pushing companies to reduce contamination and improve product safety,” Little testified.
Representatives of the dietary‑supplement industry opposed the bill unless amended. Margie Lee of the Council for Responsible Nutrition said many essential raw materials are sourced from soil and contain trace elements; she warned that strict thresholds could push manufacturers to remove key nutrients to meet limits and risk discouraging prenatal‑vitamin use. Trent Smith of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association associated with that concern, noting that some low‑contaminant products may lack recommended nutrients such as calcium or magnesium.
Dr. Patrice Trowbridge, testifying for ACOG, urged support, saying clinicians need reliable, transparent testing so they can confidently recommend products.
After discussion that included cost, equity and parallels to California’s baby‑food testing law, the committee recorded a roll call and moved SB 646 as amended to the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. The motion was made by Chen and seconded by Krell.
