SB 646: Prenatal multivitamins.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, under the administration and enforcement of the State Department of Public Health, provides for the regulation of various subjects relating to the manufacturing, processing, labeling, advertising, and sale of food, drugs, and cosmetics. A violation of the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law is punishable as a misdemeanor.

Existing law requires a manufacturer of baby food for sale or distribution in this state to test a representative sample of each production aggregate of the manufacturer’s final baby food product for toxic elements, as specified. Existing law requires a manufacturer to provide test results to any authorized agent of the department upon their request, as specified. Existing law requires a manufacturer of a final baby food product sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in the state to provide specified information disclosures to consumers, including making publicly available on its internet website the name and level of each toxic element present in each production aggregate of the final baby food product. Existing law also prohibits a person or entity from selling in the state or manufacturing, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in the state any baby food that does not comply with these provisions.

This bill would require, commencing January 1, 2027, a manufacturer of a bulk prenatal multivitamin product or packaged prenatal multivitamin product, as defined, that is sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in this state to test a representative sample of each lot of the manufacturer’s bulk prenatal multivitamin product or packaged prenatal multivitamin product for heavy metals, as specified. The bill would define “heavy metals” to mean arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The bill would require both a manufacturer and brand owner to provide test results to an authorized agent of the department upon their request, as specified. The bill would, commencing January 1, 2027, require a brand owner of a packaged prenatal multivitamin product that is sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in the state, as specified, to disclose specified product information to the public, including, among other things, the heavy metal testing information. Commencing on or after January 1, 2027, for products shipped to retailers or consumers, the bill would require the outermost package of a packaged prenatal vitamin product and the product details page on an internet website where the product is sold to include a statement regarding heavy metal testing. The bill would prohibit a person from selling in the state or manufacturing, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in the state a prenatal multivitamin that does not comply with these provisions. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 11, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 602, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 11, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 23, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 13, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 3058.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 13, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. September 13, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 3442.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. September 13, 2025Joint Rule 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)
8. September 9, 2025Joint Rule 61(a)(13) suspended. (Ayes 60. Noes 20. Page 3128.)
9. September 9, 2025Ordered to third reading.
10. September 9, 2025Read third time and amended.
11. September 5, 2025Ordered to third reading.
12. September 5, 2025Read third time and amended.