Koia
After testing products from Rawnature5 Corporation, individually and dba Koia (Koia), we found 13 products we allege to be in violation of Proposition 65 in regards to heavy metal contamination. Below is the timeline of events of the case between ERC and Koia.
NOTICE I
On April 24, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 3 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain lead and mercury, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
Koia Protein Vanilla Bean Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
Koia Coconut Almond Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
Koia Cinnamon Horchata Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
NOTICE II
On May 5, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 4 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain lead and mercury, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
2. Koia Cacao Bean Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
3. Koia Chocolate Peanut Butter Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
4. Koia Cookies 'N Creme Organic Plant-Based Shake – Lead
NOTICE III
On May 17, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 2 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain lead and mercury, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Birthday Cake Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
2. Koia Cold Brew Coffee Plant-Based Shake – Lead, Mercury
NOTICE IV
On July 5, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 5 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as a carcinogen and a reproductive toxin, exposing consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Cinnamon Horchata Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
2. Koia Cold Brew Coffee Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
3. Koia Birthday Cake Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
4. Koia Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
5. Koia Vanilla Bean Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
NOTICE V
On July 12, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 5 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as a carcinogen and a reproductive toxin, exposing consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Chocolate Brownie Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
2. Koia Chocolate Peanut Butter Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
3. Koia Cookies 'N Creme Organic Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
4. Koia Cacao Bean Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
5. Koia Coconut Almond Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
NOTICE VI
On October 11, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 3 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain only lead or both lead and mercury, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens and reproductive toxins, exposing consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Fruity Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Lead
2. Koia Cinnamon Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Lead
3. Koia Cocoa Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Lead, Mercury
NOTICE VII
On February 7, 2025, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Koia.
In this action, ERC alleges that 3 specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Koia, contain Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as exposing consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Koia Fruity Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
2. Koia Cinnamon Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
3. Koia Cocoa Cereal Plant-Based Shake - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
Civil Complaint
On January 28, 2025, the Environmental Research Center filed a Civil Complaint against Rawnature5 Corporation, individually and dba Koia. To view the full civil complaint, click here.
Type of Claim:
Failure to Warn
Relief Sought:
Warning
Civil Penalty
Injunctive and Declaratory Relief
SETTLEMENT
A settlement was reached on May 22, 2025. In full satisfaction of all potential civil penalties, additional settlement payments, attorney's fees, and costs, Koia shall pay ERC $150,000.00 in total.
Injunctive Relief:
Beginning 45 days after the Effective Date (“Compliance Date”), Koia shall be permanently enjoined from manufacturing for sale in the State of California, “Distributing into the State of California,” or directly selling in the State of California, any Mercury Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Mercury Exposure Level” of more than 0.3 micrograms of mercury per day and/or any PFOA Covered Product that exposes a person to a reportable level of PFOA that can be reliably achieved using industry standard methods for testing in the PFOA Covered Products, unless such Covered Product meets the warning requirements under Section 3.2.
If you want to read the Koia settlement, click here.
