Understanding the Facts: Are There Heavy Metals in Vital Proteins?

October 17, 2025 •

5 min read

According to reports by the Clean Label Project, a non-profit organization that tests supplements, virtually all of the 134 protein products tested at one point contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal. For consumers concerned about the safety of their dietary choices, this raises a crucial question: are there heavy metals in Vital Proteins, and how should one navigate these potential risks in their nutrition diet?

Quick Summary

Vital Proteins has faced scrutiny and lawsuits regarding the presence of heavy metals like lead and cadmium, leading to California Proposition 65 warnings on some products. These contaminants can accumulate through animal sourcing, making third-party testing and transparent sourcing critical for supplement safety.

Key Points

Heavy Metal Controversy: Vital Proteins has faced lawsuits over heavy metal contamination, including lead and cadmium, leading to required California Proposition 65 warnings on some products.
Inconsistent Test Results: Independent lab tests have shown mixed results for Vital Proteins, with some recent tests rating unflavored versions highly for purity, while flavored versions have performed less favorably.
Sourcing Matters: The primary source of contamination is often the animal or marine source used to produce collagen, as heavy metals accumulate in animal tissue and bones from environmental exposure.
Third-Party Testing is Key: Relying on independent third-party testing and certifications (e.g., NSF, ISO 17025) provides the highest assurance of a supplement's purity and safety.
Be a Critical Consumer: Given the lack of FDA pre-market regulation, it is the consumer's responsibility to research brands, review COAs, and prioritize transparency when choosing a supplement.

The Background on Heavy Metal Contamination

Concerns about heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic in supplements are not new. Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements in the Earth's crust that can end up in the air, water, and soil through environmental and industrial processes. Animals can absorb these contaminants from their environment, and since collagen is derived from animal parts like bones, hides, and connective tissue, these toxins can accumulate in the final product.

For many years, the dietary supplement industry has operated with less stringent oversight than the pharmaceutical industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not routinely test supplements for contaminants before they are sold, meaning that manufacturers are primarily responsible for ensuring the purity and safety of their products. This regulatory gap has led to several high-profile investigations and reports highlighting the prevalence of heavy metals in protein and collagen supplements.

Scrutiny and Litigation: Vital Proteins' History

Vital Proteins has been at the center of public and legal scrutiny regarding heavy metal contamination. The company has faced lawsuits over the presence of heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, in several of its products. These legal challenges have specifically targeted products like Collagen Peptides and Collagen Whey, citing Proposition 65 (Prop 65) violations in California.

Prop 65 requires businesses to provide a clear warning for products sold in California that expose consumers to chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. As a result of the lawsuits, Vital Proteins now includes Prop 65 warnings on its website and sometimes on product packaging, disclosing the potential exposure to chemicals like lead.

Navigating the Landscape of Independent Testing

In response to consumer concerns, many organizations have conducted independent testing of supplements. The results for Vital Proteins have varied, highlighting the complexity of product safety:

Clean Label Project: A 2020 report from this non-profit found that a significant percentage of popular collagen supplements contained measurable levels of heavy metals. While their reports have flagged general issues in the industry, they also show that contamination can stem from sources and manufacturing, not just specific brands.
Garage Gym Reviews (2024): In their independent lab testing, the unflavored version of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides received an "Excellent" rating, placing it in the top 10% of products they tested for purity. The Vanilla flavor received an "Above Average" rating, in the top 25%. This suggests that a product's flavor or specific ingredients can influence its contaminant levels.
North Myrtle Beach Chiropractic: This source explicitly contrasts Vital Proteins with brands like Perfect Supplements, alleging that Vital Proteins' past lawsuits and heavy metal warnings have created transparency issues. It notes that Perfect Supplements conducts rigorous third-party testing to ensure their collagen is free from harmful substances.

What do these findings mean for consumers?

The variation in test results and the existence of Prop 65 warnings demonstrate that the issue of heavy metals in supplements is nuanced. While Vital Proteins claims to test every lot using independent, third-party labs, the presence of contaminants in some past products suggests that sourcing and manufacturing practices are critical factors. Consumers must look beyond brand reputation and marketing claims to vet supplement quality.

Comparison of Supplement Purity Verification Methods


Feature	Third-Party Tested & Certified	Company-Claimed Internal Testing
Verification	Verified by an independent, certified laboratory.	Verification depends entirely on the company's internal process and reporting.
Transparency	Publicly available Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and certifications (e.g., NSF, ISO).	Often lacks public data or specific proof, leaving customers reliant on trust.
Trustworthiness	High. The process is conducted by an unbiased third party, increasing consumer confidence.	Varies. Potential for bias or less rigorous testing standards due to lack of external oversight.
Common Certifications	NSF Certified for Sport, Informed-Sport, ISO 17025.	GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) is self-certified or less rigorous than independent testing.
Heavy Metal Risk	Significantly lower risk due to regular, independent screening for heavy metals.	Risk can be higher if sourcing is not transparent or testing standards are lower.

A Deeper Look into Sourcing and Heavy Metals

The presence of heavy metals often traces back to the source of the collagen. Collagen from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is more susceptible to contaminants from grain-based diets, chemicals, and polluted environments. Marine collagen from fish is also not immune, as heavy metals can accumulate in marine life from polluted water.

Brands that prioritize transparency in sourcing, using grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine or wild-caught marine sources, tend to have lower heavy metal risks. The processing of the raw material also plays a role; robust refinement techniques, like molecular distillation and advanced filtration, can help remove impurities.

How to Choose a Safer Supplement

Prioritize Third-Party Testing: Look for certifications like NSF Certified for Sport, ISO 17025, or other indicators of independent lab testing. Reputable brands will often make their Certificates of Analysis (COAs) available to the public.
Research Sourcing: Opt for brands that clearly state their sourcing practices, such as grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, or wild-caught marine collagen from reputable fisheries.
Read the Label: The absence of a Prop 65 warning does not guarantee a product is free of heavy metals, as enforcement can be inconsistent. However, an explicit warning is a clear red flag. Also, check for unnecessary additives or fillers.
Be Mindful of Flavors: As shown in some tests, flavored products, especially chocolate, have a higher risk of containing heavy metals. Unflavored products may be a safer bet.
Assess Personal Risk: The risk associated with heavy metal exposure is cumulative. If you take multiple supplements or consume large quantities, your total exposure increases. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine your overall risk profile.

Conclusion

While some recent third-party tests on specific Vital Proteins products show promising results, the company's history of lawsuits and Prop 65 warnings underscore broader industry issues concerning heavy metal contamination. A careful consumer should not take any supplement's purity for granted. By prioritizing products with rigorous third-party testing, transparent sourcing, and publicly available Certificates of Analysis, you can make more informed decisions about your dietary choices and minimize the potential for heavy metal exposure. This critical step ensures you reap the nutritional benefits of your supplements without compromising your long-term health.

Visit the Clean Label Project for more information on their supplement reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury have been detected in some Vital Proteins and other collagen supplements, often originating from environmental contamination in the animal or marine source.

Vital Proteins has disclosed that some products may contain heavy metals by including California Proposition 65 warnings. While some independent tests have rated recent products well for purity, past lawsuits and variable results indicate the risk is not entirely eliminated.

Heavy metals enter collagen products through the raw materials sourced from animals, as these contaminants accumulate in bones, hides, and other tissues from the animals' diet, water, and environment.

Proposition 65 is a California law requiring warnings for products with chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. It affects Vital Proteins because testing revealed some products contained levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium that required a warning in the state.

Look for products that are third-party tested and certified (e.g., NSF, ISO 17025), come from transparently sourced animals (grass-fed, wild-caught), and avoid unnecessary additives.

Independent testing suggests that unflavored collagen powders sometimes have lower heavy metal levels compared to flavored varieties, particularly chocolate-flavored ones, which have shown higher contamination risks.

While trace amounts of heavy metals are common in many foods, the risk from supplements depends on sourcing and testing rigor. For Vital Proteins, some products have tested well recently, but the history suggests being a vigilant consumer. To ensure safety, look for third-party certifications and consider unflavored options, and discuss cumulative intake with a health professional.