Are Garden of Life Products Safe? An In-Depth Safety Review

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2016, Garden of Life voluntarily recalled its RAW Meal products after a Salmonella outbreak sickened 33 people across 23 states. For consumers, this raises the important question: are Garden of Life products safe, and what measures has the company taken since?

Quick Summary

Garden of Life's safety relies heavily on third-party certifications and testing protocols, though the brand has faced past recalls and heavy metal allegations.

Key Points

Third-Party Testing: Garden of Life products undergo extensive testing by independent organizations, with many certified by groups like NSF and the Non-GMO Project.
Recall History: The brand has faced recalls, most notably a 2016 Salmonella outbreak linked to its RAW Meal products and a 2017 baby formula recall.
Heavy Metal Concerns: Despite being organic, plant-based products have faced scrutiny over heavy metal content, which the company claims can occur naturally but is regularly tested for compliance.
Extensive Certifications: A wide range of certifications, including USDA Organic, NSF Certified for Sport, and Certified B-Corp, validate the company's commitment to quality sourcing.
Clean Ingredients: The brand focuses on whole food, organic, and non-GMO ingredients, with strict rules against artificial fillers, sweeteners, or colors.
Consult a Doctor: It is always wise to consult a healthcare professional, especially when pregnant or with existing conditions, as supplements can interact with medications.

Understanding Garden of Life's Safety Standards

Garden of Life is a prominent supplement brand that has built a reputation on its commitment to whole food, organic, and clean ingredients. The company emphasizes its dedication to providing pure and ethical products through several foundational principles, including the science of whole food and absolute traceability.

Whole Food Ingredients: The company sources ingredients from certified organic, non-GMO, and sustainable sources.
cGMP Manufacturing: Garden of Life products are manufactured in third-party audited facilities that follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Contaminant Screening: Products are tested for a range of contaminants, including heavy metals and microbial growth.

The Role of Third-Party Certifications

Third-party testing is a cornerstone of Garden of Life's safety assurance, providing independent verification that products meet specific standards. The company holds a wide array of certifications, including:

USDA Organic: Ensures ingredients are grown without toxic pesticides or GMOs.
Non-GMO Project Verified: Confirms products avoid genetically modified organisms.
NSF Certified for Sport: Verifies sports nutrition products are free of banned substances.
Informed-Choice: Tests supplements for substances prohibited in sports.
Certified B-Corp: Recognizes the company's environmental and social performance.

Past Safety Concerns and Recalls

Despite its strong focus on certifications, Garden of Life has faced several notable safety issues.

2016 Salmonella Outbreak and Recall

In 2016, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Virchow infections was linked to certain lots of Garden of Life's RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal products. The company issued a voluntary recall, which was later expanded. The source was traced to contaminated Organic Moringa Leaf powder from a supplier, which the company subsequently removed from their products.

2017 Liquid Baby Formula Recall

In September 2017, the company recalled its Baby Organic Liquid due to concerns over the product's thickness and potential choking hazard if administered incorrectly.

Heavy Metals and the Clean Label Project

In 2021, a lawsuit by the Clean Label Project Foundation alleged contamination in certain prenatal vitamins, though the suit was dismissed. This highlights concerns about contaminants in plant-based supplements. Reports from 2025 by activist Tamara Rubin also alleged high levels of heavy metals in a kids' multivitamin. Garden of Life maintains that it tests products to comply with standards like California's Proposition 65.

Navigating Supplement Safety: A Comparison

To understand Garden of Life's safety profile, a comparison with a brand like Transparent Labs, also known for testing, can be useful.


Feature	Garden of Life	Transparent Labs
Third-Party Testing	Extensive testing, including NSF and Informed-Choice; company publishes results.	Regular third-party testing; Certifications like Informed-Sport and Clean Label Project.
Certifications	USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, B-Corp, NSF Certified for Sport.	Informed-Sport, Certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO.
Ingredient Sourcing	Whole food, organic, traceable to the source.	High-quality, natural ingredients; full label transparency.
Recall History	Past recalls for Salmonella (2016) and a choking hazard (2017).	Less frequent public recall history.
Heavy Metal Concerns	Faced lawsuits and test findings; attributes levels to naturally occurring sources in organic ingredients.	Addresses heavy metal risk through testing and ingredient screening.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

So, are Garden of Life products safe? The company demonstrates a strong commitment to quality through numerous third-party certifications and testing. However, past recalls and heavy metal allegations are valid concerns. Safety involves managed risk, and while recalls show potential weaknesses, they also highlight a company's response. Personal safety depends on individual health and sensitivities. Consulting a healthcare provider is recommended, especially with underlying conditions. Reviewing certifications, testing, and history helps consumers make informed decisions.

For more detailed information on supplement recalls, including the 2016 Garden of Life incident, visit the CDC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

As dietary supplements, Garden of Life products are regulated by the FDA, but they are not subject to pre-market approval. However, the company manufactures its products in cGMP-certified facilities that meet or exceed FDA guidelines, and it tests products for contaminants.

While many of Garden of Life's products are Certified USDA Organic and focus on organic ingredients, not all of them carry this specific certification. The 'mykind Organics' line is a specific subset of their products dedicated to 100% organic offerings.

Heavy metals like lead and cadmium are naturally occurring elements found in soil. Plants, whether organic or conventional, can absorb these elements. Garden of Life tests its products to ensure compliance with safety standards, including California's Prop 65 regulations, which acknowledge these naturally occurring levels.

In 2016, a Salmonella outbreak was linked to certain lots of Garden of Life's RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal products. The company voluntarily recalled the affected items, and the source was traced to contaminated Organic Moringa Leaf powder from a specific supplier.

No, Garden of Life states that it does not use artificial ingredients such as artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or preservatives in its products. The brand prioritizes using natural, whole food-based ingredients.

No, Garden of Life was acquired by Nestlé Health Science in 2017. Despite the acquisition, the company reportedly continues to operate independently and maintain its focus on whole-food ingredients and sustainable practices.

Third-party certifications like those from NSF and the USDA are excellent indicators that a company meets specific safety, quality, and ingredient standards. However, no certification can guarantee 100% safety, and past recalls illustrate the need for continued vigilance.