What is the controversy with Orgain protein?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous class-action lawsuits and FDA recall notices, the controversy with Orgain protein revolves around deceptive labeling practices, undisclosed allergens, and questions regarding ingredient purity. For a brand that markets itself as a provider of 'clean nutrition,' these issues have caused significant consumer backlash and distrust.

Quick Summary

The Orgain protein controversy stems from consumer lawsuits alleging deceptive labeling regarding 'grass-fed' protein and flavoring, reports of undeclared allergens, and concerns over heavy metal content, despite the company's 'clean' brand image.

Key Points

Misleading Grass-Fed Claims: Multiple lawsuits allege Orgain deceptively markets some products as containing specific amounts of 'grass-fed' protein, when they are mixed with standard organic protein.
Questionable 'Natural Flavors': Class-action suits have challenged Orgain's use of 'natural flavor' labels on products that contain undisclosed artificial or highly processed ingredients like erythritol.
Product Recalls for Undeclared Allergens: Recent FDA Class 1 recalls due to undeclared allergens, including peanut residue and sesame, have raised serious consumer safety concerns.
Heavy Metal Concerns: As a plant-based protein brand, Orgain is implicated in broader industry-wide concerns about trace heavy metals, despite the company's claims of meeting federal standards.
Erosion of 'Clean' Brand Image: The accumulation of legal challenges, recalls, and consumer complaints has significantly damaged Orgain's brand reputation and consumer trust in its 'clean nutrition' promise.
Calls for Greater Transparency: The controversies underscore a growing consumer demand for greater transparency in labeling, especially concerning premium and wellness-oriented products.

Deceptive Labeling: The Core of the Orgain Controversy

One of the most prominent issues fueling the controversy with Orgain protein centers on allegations of deceptive and misleading marketing. For a brand built on a reputation for 'clean' and transparent nutrition, lawsuits brought by consumers challenge the very essence of this marketing message. Multiple class-action suits have been filed over the years, targeting different product lines with similar complaints of misrepresentation.

Misrepresentation of 'Grass-Fed' Protein

A major lawsuit filed in October 2023 alleged that Orgain and its parent company, Nestlé, misrepresented the amount of 'grass-fed' protein in several products. The suit claimed that product labels prominently advertised a specific amount of 'grass-fed protein' when the product actually contained a blend of both grass-fed and generic organic protein. This distinction is critical to consumers, who often pay a premium for the perceived superior health benefits of exclusively grass-fed products.

The lawsuit highlighted products such as the Kids Protein Shakes and 26g Organic Protein Grass Fed Protein Shake.
Plaintiffs claimed they were willing to pay more based on Orgain's advertising that positioned these items as sources of superior protein.
The complaint was grounded in the argument that 'organic' protein, derived from cows fed corn and grains, is not the same as protein from exclusively grass-fed cows.

Questions Over 'Natural' and 'Clean' Flavors

Another significant area of consumer complaint involves the use of so-called 'natural flavors.' A 2021 class action lawsuit challenged Orgain's plant-based protein powder for misleading consumers. The complaint alleged that while Orgain labeled its flavors as 'Organic Natural Flavors' or 'Natural Flavor,' the products contained artificial and highly processed ingredients. The lawsuit specifically called out ingredients like erythritol and xanthan gum, arguing that consumers did not associate these with a 'clean' product. This suggested a significant gap between the brand's public-facing image and the actual contents of its products.

Product Recalls and Allergen Concerns

Beyond labeling disputes, Orgain has faced serious safety issues that have led to product recalls, damaging consumer trust further. Food recalls, particularly those involving undeclared allergens, are a significant concern for both regulators and consumers with dietary restrictions.

Undeclared Allergens: Sesame and Peanut Residue

In October 2023, Orgain issued an allergy alert and recall for a batch of its Organic Plant Protein + Superfoods Powder sold at Costco, due to the presence of undeclared sesame. Following that, in December 2024, the FDA announced a Class 1 recall for a batch of Orgain's 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder after a customer experienced an allergic reaction to undeclared peanut residue. A Class 1 recall signifies a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. These incidents revealed serious issues with manufacturing control and ingredient disclosure, directly contradicting the brand's 'clean' image.

The Heavy Metals Debate

Consumer concern regarding the presence of heavy metals is another facet of the Orgain controversy. While not specific to Orgain, the issue of heavy metals in protein powders, particularly plant-based options, has been brought to the forefront by organizations like the Clean Label Project. In 2018, reports from Consumer Reports also highlighted the issue, finding lead and other heavy metals in various popular protein powders. Orgain’s status as a plant-based and organic brand inadvertently places it within the scope of this larger industry-wide concern.

Organic and plant-based protein powders have shown a higher tendency to contain heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, because the plants absorb these elements from the soil.
Orgain has previously stated that its products meet federal guidelines and that intake does not pose a health risk, but critics have questioned if they meet stricter standards like California's Proposition 65.
The heavy metals debate continues to be a contentious topic within the dietary supplement industry, fueled by varying testing standards and the natural absorption of trace minerals by plant sources.

Comparison of Controversial Issues


Issue	Legal Action	Product & Allegation	Impact on Consumers
Misleading 'Grass-Fed' Labeling	Class-action lawsuit filed in 2023	Claimed 'grass-fed' protein was a mix with generic organic protein	Undermined trust; overpaid for perceived quality; deception
Misleading 'Natural Flavors'	Class-action lawsuit filed in 2021	Labeled 'natural flavors' while containing artificial/processed ingredients	Contradicts 'clean' branding; perceived as deceptive
Undeclared Allergens	FDA Class 1 recall (Dec 2024), FDA alert (Oct 2023)	Peanut residue found in one batch; sesame in another	Severe health risk for individuals with allergies; safety concerns
Heavy Metal Concerns	Clean Label Project, Consumer Reports (2018)	Industry-wide issue; plant-based proteins can contain trace heavy metals	Health and safety fears; questions about purity; Orgain's standards challenged

Orgain's Response and Ongoing Challenges

In response to these controversies, Orgain has often emphasized its commitment to high standards and has initiated voluntary recalls and communicated with regulatory bodies like the FDA. For instance, regarding the undeclared sesame recall, the company informed consumers and worked with Costco and the FDA. However, the accumulation of issues presents a significant challenge to its brand identity.

While Orgain continues to offer products and has a base of loyal customers, the ongoing legal and consumer scrutiny cannot be ignored. The controversies force consumers to be more vigilant about verifying label claims, especially concerning premium ingredients. For Orgain, rebuilding and maintaining trust will require demonstrating more robust supply chain management, clearer labeling practices, and a renewed commitment to transparency beyond its marketing slogans.

Conclusion

The controversy with Orgain protein is a multi-faceted issue encompassing several key areas of consumer and regulatory concern. It includes class-action lawsuits alleging deceptive labeling regarding 'grass-fed' protein content and misleading 'natural flavor' claims. High-risk product recalls due to undeclared allergens, such as sesame and peanut residue, have also raised serious safety questions. Furthermore, the ongoing industry-wide debate concerning heavy metals in plant-based proteins adds another layer of scrutiny for the brand. For consumers, these issues necessitate a careful evaluation of the product claims against the brand's actions, and for Orgain, they present a significant challenge to its reputation for delivering 'clean nutrition.'

Frequently Asked Questions

A class-action lawsuit filed in October 2023 alleged that Orgain falsely advertised the amount of 'grass-fed' protein in several products. The suit claimed that instead of being solely grass-fed, the protein was a blend of grass-fed and organic protein, and that consumers were deceived into paying a premium for this misrepresented product.

Yes, in December 2024, Orgain issued a Class 1 recall for a single batch of its 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder after it was found to contain undeclared peanut residue. The company also initiated a recall for undeclared sesame in a different product batch in October 2023.

A class-action lawsuit from 2021 challenged Orgain's use of 'Natural Flavor' and 'Organic Natural Flavors' labels. The complaint alleged that the products contained artificial or highly processed ingredients, suggesting that the marketing was misleading to consumers expecting a genuinely 'clean' product.

The concern stems from third-party reports, such as those from the Clean Label Project and Consumer Reports, which found trace levels of heavy metals in many protein powders, particularly plant-based and organic varieties, which absorb metals from the soil. While Orgain has stated its products meet federal guidelines, critics question if they meet stricter state standards, leaving consumers uneasy about long-term exposure.

Organic protein comes from cows fed an organic diet, which can include corn and grains. Grass-fed protein comes from cows that graze on open pastures and eat only grass. Consumer demand for grass-fed protein is driven by its perceived health benefits, making the accurate labeling of this distinction crucial for transparency.

Orgain has addressed specific issues, such as initiating voluntary recalls and communicating with regulators like the FDA regarding the allergen issues. The company has also previously stated that its products meet federal guidelines regarding heavy metal content. However, its overall response has been viewed by critics as insufficient to fully restore trust.

The level of concern depends on individual health needs and priorities. For those with severe allergies, the recalls are a serious issue. For consumers sensitive to marketing claims, the lawsuits over 'grass-fed' and 'natural' labeling raise questions about brand integrity. All consumers should exercise caution, review product labels carefully, and stay informed on ongoing issues.