Chameleon Coffee
After testing products from Chameleon Cold Brew LLC, we found twelve 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 Chameleon Cold Brew LLC.
NOTICE I
On September 7, 2023, Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Chameleon Cold Brew LLC.
In this action, ERC alleges that four specific products manufactured, distributed, or sold by Chameleon Cold Brew LLC, 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. Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Mocha Coffee - Lead
2. Chameleon Certified Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Vanilla Coffee - Lead
3. Chameleon Certified Organic Cold-Brew Unsweetened Espresso Coffee – Lead
4. Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Unsweetened Black Coffee
NOTICE II
On September 14, 2023, Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Chameleon Cold Brew LLC.
In this action, ERC alleges that four specific products manufactured, distributed, or sold by Chameleon Cold Brew LLC, 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. Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Caramel Coffee
2. Chameleon Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate New Orleans Style Coffee
3. Chameleon Certified Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Black Coffee
4. Chameleon Certified Organic Cold-Brew Lightly Sweetened Mexican Coffee
NOTICE III
On November 9, 2023, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Chameleon Cold Brew LLC.
In this action, ERC alleges that this specific product manufactured, distributed, or sold by Chameleon Cold Brew LLC, contains lead, a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as a carcinogen and a reproductive toxin, and exposes consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The product under investigation is:
Chameleon Certified Organic Cold-Brew Concentrate Dark Chocolate Mocha Coffee
NOTICE IV
On November 9, 2023, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Chameleon Cold Brew LLC.
In this action, ERC alleges that this specific product manufactured, distributed, or sold by Chameleon Cold Brew LLC, contains lead, a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as a carcinogen and a reproductive toxin, and exposes consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Chameleon Organic Handcrafted Cold-Brew Super Concentrate Espresso Coffee - Lead
2. Chameleon Organic Handcrafted Cold-Brew Super Concentrate Vanilla Coffee – Lead, Mercury
3. Chameleon Organic Handcrafted Cold -Brew Super Concentrate Black Coffee - Lead
Supplemental Complaint
On December 26, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Supplental Complaint against Chameleon Cold Brew, LLC. To view the full civil complaint, click here.
Type of Claim:
Failure to Warn
Relief Sought:
Warning
Civil Penalty
Injunctive and Declaratory Relief
Civil Complaint
On February 13, 2024, the Environmental Research Center filed a Civil Complaint against Chameleon Cold Brew, LLC. To view the full civil complaint, click here.
Type of Claim:
Failure to Warn
Relief Sought:
Warning
Civil Penalty
SETTLEMENT
A settlement was reached on May 14, 2025. In full satisfaction of all potential civil penalties, additional settlement payments, attorney's fees, and costs, Chameleon Cold Brew, LLC, shall pay $75,000.00 in total.
Injunctive Relief:
Beginning on the Effective Date, Chameleon Cold Brew 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 Lead Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Lead Exposure Level” of more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day and/or any Mercury Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Mercury Exposure Level” of more than 0.3 micrograms of mercury per day unless the Lead Covered Product and/or Mercury Covered Product meets the warning requirements under Section 3.2.
If you want to read the Chameleon Cold Brew LLC settlement, click here.
