California Adds Aloe Vera to Proposition 65 List

Aloe vera; Image via Twitter

When we get sunburns, nothing soothes the pain like aloe vera. But, the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added a form of aloe vera to its list of potentially harmful substances under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, otherwise known as Proposition 65.

According to a release from OEHHA, aloe vera, non-decolorized whole leaf extract, and Goldenseal root powder, are listed as possible causes of cancer. According to Whole Foods Magazine, aloe vera is listed in the legislation's Group 2B, meaning it is "possibly carcinogenic to humans," based on studies.

Whole Foods Magazine also reported that several associations, such as Herbal Products Association and American Herbalists Guild, criticized the scientific basis for the classification of aloe vera, suggesting that the studies used "unnatural, unrealistic" amounts of the substance.

Jane Wilson, executive director of the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), told Whole Foods Magazine that the classification of aloe vera, the non-decolorized whole leaf extract, "provides a reference to the aloe ingredients that are not included in this listing, specifically aloe vera decolorized whole leaf extract, aloe vera gel and aloe vera gel extract," she said. "These aloe ingredients are used in IASC-certified products."

Do you think this move will impact the health care and personal care categories within the promotional products industry? Let us know in the comments!