Protein Powder Manufacturers Accused of Amino Spiking

Consumers are complaining that several prominent protein powder companies have been amino spiking, or protein spiking, their products so they could overcharge them.

Amino spiking is when the protein powder manufacturer adds in ingredients like amino acids to its protein products, so the product can falsely present a higher protein content than what the product actually contains.

The amount of protein in a product can be measured using the product’s nitrogen content. A calculation based on the nitrogen content can be used to determine the product’s protein content.

Nitrogen is used as a proxy for protein because proteins consist of amino acids, which contain nitrogen. Therefore, measuring the product’s nitrogen content should produce the accurate protein content of the product.

With this information, consumers may assume that the products contain complete proteins, since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

However, the protein powders subject to amino spiking contain a significant amount of incomplete proteins in the form of amino acids. Complete proteins include ingredients derived from egg, whey, and milk, while incomplete proteins are essentially just nitrogen-based content.

These nitrogen components are much cheaper than complete proteins, allowing companies to artificially increase their products’ protein content at a lower cost. Furthermore, some amino acids are not building blocks for protein and are used for other supplements. For example, the amino acid taurine is often used for energy production supplements.

Consumers complain that protein spiking allows companies to deceive their customers through the products’ labels while overcharging for inferior products.

Overview of Protein Powder Amino Spiking Allegations

Core Formulations and BioHealth Nutrition are facing a protein powder class action lawsuit. The plaintiff in that action alleges the companies conducted protein spiking so they could sell their products at higher prices and with overstated protein content.

The plaintiff also alleges the companies had deliberately mislabeled their products to show a false protein content, while the actual amount of protein is much smaller. Therefore, the plaintiffs argue, the protein powders are sold for unreasonably high prices compared to what consumers should actually be charged.

For example, the prices for Core Formulations and BioHealth products from range between $49.99 to $59.99 for a two-pound protein powder container, while the five-pound containers can cost between $89.99 to $109.99. In addition, Core Formulations and BioHealth products specifically state that they do not contain any additives and are not subject to amino spiking.

Ultimately, the protein powder class action lawsuit alleges the manufacturers either knew or should have known that their marketing claims were false and that the prices for their products were too high.

Join a Free Protein Powder False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased any of the protein powders listed below, you may qualify to file a protein powder lawsuit or protein spiking class action lawsuit.

• Core Formulations Core 8 & IsoCore
• Rogue Nutrition Rogue Whey
• BioHealth Nutrition Precision Blend & Precision Iso

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