Understanding the Vital Proteins Warning: Why Do Vital Proteins Have a Warning Label?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

California's Proposition 65 requires businesses to warn consumers about exposure to certain chemicals, a law that often sparks concern over products like Vital Proteins. Understanding why do vital proteins have a warning is key to separating regulatory requirements from actual product safety issues in the broader nutrition diet industry.

Quick Summary

Vital Proteins' warning labels stem from California's Proposition 65, which mandates disclosure for products with even trace levels of chemicals like heavy metals, even if federal standards are met. This reflects stricter state regulations and the nature of ingredient sourcing.

Key Points

Proposition 65 Mandate: The warning label is primarily required by California's Prop 65 law due to trace heavy metals like lead and cadmium.
Natural Contaminants: Heavy metals in Vital Proteins often come from the natural environment and are absorbed by the source animals, not intentionally added.
Stricter Standards: Prop 65 imposes much stricter limits than federal FDA guidelines, so a warning doesn't necessarily mean the product is unsafe by broader standards.
Legal vs. Safety: Companies may issue warnings nationwide to avoid lawsuits, meaning the label is a legal measure and not a direct indicator of danger.
Beyond Chemicals: Warnings can also be triggered by issues like manufacturing recalls, such as a 2023 recall involving potential plastic fragments.
Third-Party Testing: Consumers can seek third-party certified products for extra assurance regarding purity and contaminant levels.
Informed Choice: Ultimately, understanding the source of the warning helps consumers make educated decisions about supplement use and overall diet.

The Core Reason: California's Proposition 65

Many consumers are surprised to see a warning label on their Vital Proteins products. This is primarily due to California state law Proposition 65, which requires businesses to warn residents about exposure to specific chemicals.

How Prop 65 Works for Supplements

Proposition 65 often has stricter requirements than federal guidelines. For instance, the Prop 65 limit for lead is much lower than the FDA's limit, meaning a product can meet federal standards but still require a warning in California. To simplify distribution, companies often apply this warning nationwide.

Prop 65 includes many chemicals, such as heavy metals like lead and cadmium, often necessitating warnings on supplements.
Companies may issue warnings to mitigate the risk of lawsuits related to non-disclosure.
The warning indicates legal compliance with disclosure rules based on low thresholds, not necessarily an inherent health risk.

The Heavy Metal Factor and Lawsuits

The heavy metals that trigger Prop 65 warnings, like lead and cadmium, are typically not added intentionally. They can be absorbed from the environment by the sources used for supplement ingredients. Collagen, sourced from animals, can accumulate trace elements from their diet and environment.

Vital Proteins has faced lawsuits concerning the presence of lead and cadmium in their products. A complaint in 2017 alleged the company did not warn consumers. While Vital Proteins now provides the required warning, these cases brought attention to heavy metals in supplements and the role of regulations.

Beyond Prop 65: Other Warning Triggers

Besides Prop 65, other factors have led to warnings or recalls for Vital Proteins:

Product Recalls: In 2023, Vital Proteins recalled about 60,000 canisters of collagen peptides due to concerns about potential broken plastic fragments. Such incidents result in safety notices and recalls.
FDA Disclaimer: Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA like food or drugs. Many supplements, including Vital Proteins, carry a standard disclaimer stating the product hasn't been FDA-evaluated and is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Consumer Comparison: Vital Proteins vs. Third-Party Tested Brands

For those concerned about warnings, understanding supplement testing is helpful. Some brands use independent third-party testing for extra assurance of purity. Here's a comparison:


Feature	Vital Proteins (Per Search Results)	Third-Party Tested Brand (Example: Perfect Supplements)
Heavy Metals	Contains trace amounts of lead and cadmium, triggering Prop 65 warning due to natural sourcing.	Products undergo rigorous independent lab testing to ensure freedom from harmful contaminants, including heavy metals.
FDA Regulation	Like all dietary supplements, not evaluated by the FDA for efficacy or safety claims.	Subject to the same FDA regulatory framework for dietary supplements.
Warning Label	Includes a mandatory California Prop 65 warning, often applied nationally.	Labels may be free of Prop 65 warnings if trace chemical levels are below California's strict limits.
Transparency	Provides information on Prop 65 disclosure on their website.	Highlights third-party testing and clean sourcing practices as a key selling point.

How to Interpret the Warning on Vital Proteins

The warning label on Vital Proteins is primarily a legal requirement based on extremely strict state-specific thresholds, not a conventional "danger" warning. It's important to understand:

Prop 65 limits are significantly lower than federal safety guidelines.
Trace heavy metals often come from natural sources, not intentional addition.
The warning doesn't necessarily mean the product is less safe than a similar product without a warning, as some companies use it to avoid lawsuits or for national distribution.
Consider your overall daily exposure to contaminants from all sources, not just one supplement.

Making an Informed Choice

To make informed decisions about supplements:

Look for Third-Party Certifications: Seek brands certified by organizations like NSF International or ConsumerLab.com, which verify product content and purity. ConsumerLab.com tests supplements against Prop 65 limits.
Consult the Manufacturer: Check the brand's website or contact them with concerns. Vital Proteins explains their Prop 65 disclosure online.
Speak to a Health Professional: A doctor or registered dietitian can provide personalized advice, especially if you have health conditions or are pregnant.
Diversify Your Diet: A balanced diet of whole foods is essential; supplements should complement this, not replace it.

Conclusion

The warning label on Vital Proteins is mainly due to California's Proposition 65, which requires disclosure for chemicals, including trace heavy metals, that can naturally occur in ingredients. This legal requirement, along with past recalls and standard FDA disclaimers, contributes to the labeling. A warning does not automatically mean a product is dangerous but reflects regulatory realities for supplement companies. By understanding this context and looking for third-party verified products, consumers can make more informed choices about their supplements.

For more information on supplement labeling and Proposition 65, visit: P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for most consumers. The warning is primarily a legal requirement under California's Proposition 65 for trace amounts of naturally occurring heavy metals, not an FDA finding that the product is unsafe.

Proposition 65 is a California law that requires businesses to warn consumers about potential exposure to chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, even at levels far below those considered harmful by federal agencies.

The most commonly cited heavy metals are lead and cadmium, which can be naturally present in the environment and absorbed by the source animals (e.g., cows).

For simplicity, many national brands apply the Prop 65 warning to all products sold in the U.S. rather than creating separate labels for California, so consumers in other states may see it as well.

No. The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements with the same strictness as drugs. The Prop 65 warning is a state-specific mandate, and products often contain a standard FDA disclaimer as well.

To find a supplement with fewer or no contaminants, look for brands that voluntarily undergo third-party testing by independent labs. These certifications, like from ConsumerLab.com or NSF, verify purity.

The Prop 65 warning often relates to chemicals that cause reproductive harm, including lead. Pregnant individuals should always consult a healthcare provider before taking any supplement to discuss potential risks.

In 2023, Vital Proteins voluntarily recalled some canisters of collagen peptides due to the potential presence of broken plastic fragments from the lids.