Do vital proteins have heavy metals in them? An investigation into collagen safety

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent lawsuits have revealed that some Vital Proteins products contained detectable levels of heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, leading to public disclosures and California Proposition 65 warnings. This has prompted many consumers to question, 'do vital proteins have heavy metals in them?'

Quick Summary

An examination of Vital Proteins' product safety, legal disclosures, and third-party testing results regarding heavy metal content like lead and cadmium. This article explains how contaminants enter supplements and outlines steps for consumers seeking cleaner, safer collagen alternatives.

Key Points

Confirmed Presence: Lawsuits and California Proposition 65 warnings confirm that some Vital Proteins products have contained detectable levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium.
Environmental Contamination: Heavy metals enter collagen through the source animals or fish, which absorb contaminants from polluted environments.
Inconsistent Testing: Past reports and legal issues have raised concerns about the consistency of quality control and the transparency of Vital Proteins' testing processes.
Consumer Protection: Looking for products with verified third-party testing, transparent sourcing, and publicly available Certificates of Analysis (COAs) is crucial for safety.
Informed Choice: Consumers should research supplement brands carefully and may consider products from companies with a proven track record of transparency and quality control to minimize risk.
Warning Not Definitive: The presence of a Prop 65 warning indicates a chemical known to cause harm, but its health implications depend on dosage and individual risk tolerance.
Source Matters: The animal's diet and environment (e.g., grass-fed vs. CAFO) and the processing methods significantly impact the potential for contamination.

Understanding the Heavy Metal Concern with Collagen

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are naturally occurring elements found in the Earth's crust. They can find their way into food and dietary supplements through environmental contamination from sources like polluted soil and water, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. Animals and fish used for collagen production can bioaccumulate these toxins over time, concentrating them in their tissues and bones. When these animal parts are processed for collagen supplements, the contaminants can remain in the final product if not properly tested and filtered.

The Specifics of Vital Proteins' Heavy Metal Issues

Reports from independent organizations like the Clean Label Project have indicated varying levels of heavy metal contamination in many protein powders, including collagen. In the past, Vital Proteins has faced legal action over the presence of heavy metals, which led to settlements and subsequent public disclosures. Some products were found to have lead and cadmium levels that, under California law, required a Proposition 65 warning.

While Vital Proteins maintains that it adheres to all regulatory requirements and conducts internal and third-party testing, these incidents have left many consumers concerned. The company's official Proposition 65 disclosure states that certain products 'can expose you to chemicals including lead'. It is important to note that the presence of a warning does not necessarily mean a product is unsafe for all people in all quantities, but it does indicate the presence of a chemical known to cause harm.

Sourcing and Processing Factors

Collagen is derived from the connective tissues of animals, including bovine (cows) and marine (fish). The sourcing and manufacturing process plays a significant role in the potential for heavy metal contamination. Bovine collagen from animals raised in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may be at higher risk of contamination due to the animals' grain-based diets, which can contain heavy metals absorbed from fertilizers. Marine collagen can also be at risk if sourced from fish in polluted waters.

Common sources of heavy metal contamination in collagen:

Environmental pollutants in soil and water where source animals are raised.
Toxins that accumulate in animal hides and bones used for extraction.
Contaminants introduced during industrial processing, such as in tanneries.
Variations in processing, as different filtration methods have varying effectiveness.

How Third-Party Testing Provides Assurance

Since the supplement industry is not as strictly regulated as the pharmaceutical industry, third-party testing is a crucial measure for verifying a product's purity and safety. Reputable third-party labs use advanced methods like Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect trace amounts of heavy metals. Brands that are transparent about their testing and make their Certificates of Analysis (COAs) publicly available offer greater confidence to consumers. Consumers should look for certifications from trusted organizations that perform independent testing.

How to Choose a Cleaner Collagen Supplement

When shopping for collagen, there are several steps consumers can take to minimize the risk of heavy metal exposure:

Seek Third-Party Certified Products: Look for products verified by independent bodies that test for contaminants. Certifications can vary, but brands that openly display their test results are often a safer bet. For example, some brands may provide specific batch testing results on their website.
Research Sourcing Practices: Opt for brands that source their collagen from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals or wild-caught fish, as these are typically associated with lower environmental toxin exposure.
Review the Brand's Transparency: Look for brands that are upfront about their manufacturing processes and quality control. This transparency can be an indicator of their commitment to product safety.
Consider Plant-Based Alternatives: For those who want to avoid animal-derived collagen entirely, there are vegan or plant-based collagen booster supplements available. These may carry different contamination risks, but often from different sources.

Comparison of Collagen Supplement Safety Factors


Feature	Common for Vital Proteins (Past/Disclosed)	Common for High-Standard 'Clean' Brands
Source Animal	Grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hide is often used, but past issues suggest inconsistency.	Verified grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine or wild-caught marine sources.
Sourcing Transparency	Mixed. Some customers and reports have raised questions about quality control and historical issues.	High transparency, providing details on animal farming practices and traceability.
Third-Party Testing	Vital Proteins claims to use third-party labs, but some reports show mixed results and historical issues.	Rigorous and regular third-party lab testing with readily available Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for each batch.
Heavy Metal Warnings	Required to carry a California Prop 65 warning on some products due to lead content.	Explicitly tests for and certifies as free from detectable heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
Consumer Trust	Affected by past lawsuits and the Prop 65 warning, leading to public concern.	Built on transparency and consistent positive test results, fostering high consumer confidence.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

The question of whether Vital Proteins have heavy metals is complex. While they have stated their commitment to quality and testing, past legal challenges and the presence of Proposition 65 warnings on some products mean consumers should approach with caution. The primary risk comes from the potential for environmental contaminants to enter the animal or marine sources used for collagen, a problem not exclusive to one brand but exacerbated by inconsistent quality control. Ultimately, for consumers prioritizing the lowest possible risk, seeking out brands that are fully transparent about their rigorous third-party testing and sourcing practices is the most reliable path. It empowers you to make an informed decision and invest in a supplement you can trust to be as pure as possible. For more information on Proposition 65, you can visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Heavy metals can enter the supply chain through the source animals (cows, fish) absorbing contaminants from the environment, polluted feed or water. These toxins can concentrate in the animals' tissues and bones, which are then used to create collagen supplements.

Legal documents and reports have cited the presence of lead and cadmium in some Vital Proteins products. Exposure to these metals is what triggered the requirement for a California Proposition 65 warning on certain items.

Yes, as of recently, Vital Proteins' official website maintains a Proposition 65 disclosure, warning that consuming some products can expose you to chemicals including lead.

Look for supplements that are verified by independent third-party testing, such as those with publicly available Certificates of Analysis (COAs). These documents confirm that the product has been tested for heavy metals and other contaminants.

Yes, nearly all animal-sourced collagen supplements are susceptible to some degree of heavy metal contamination due to environmental factors. The risk depends on the sourcing, animal welfare, and manufacturing controls of the specific brand.

Studies have shown that some flavorings, particularly chocolate, are associated with higher levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. This is due to the cacao plant's natural tendency to absorb these metals from the soil.

To choose a safer supplement, prioritize brands that are transparent about their sourcing from grass-fed or wild-caught sources, and most importantly, provide evidence of robust third-party testing for heavy metals and other contaminants.

In response to past legal action and consumer inquiries, Vital Proteins has clarified its commitment to quality and testing. However, the continued presence of a Prop 65 warning indicates that a low level of heavy metal exposure risk remains on some products.