Understanding the Headlines: Heavy Metals and Plant-Based Protein

At Vega, we know our community values transparency and informed choices. You read labels, ask questions, and care deeply about what you put into your body.

Recently, you may have seen headlines about heavy metals in protein powders. Here’s what you should know about the science and how Vega ensures your products are thoroughly tested, safe, and trusted.

The facts about trace heavy metals

Trace levels of heavy metals can occur in plant-based foods because minerals and elements, like iron, zinc, lead, and cadmium, occur naturally in soil and water. As plants absorb nutrients from the earth, they also take in small amounts of these minerals and elements. Their presence doesn’t indicate contamination or poor quality; it’s simply nature at work.

Detecting trace amounts doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.  It’s important to understand the difference between something being detectable and exceeding safety limits set by international health authorities based on extensive scientific research. Vega products are well within these limits and far below even the most conservative standards, including California’s Proposition 65 consent decree requirements for plant-based foods.

How Vega ensures safety and quality

Every VEGA product is made to meet or exceed the highest safety and quality standards, including:

• Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory requirements
• California Proposition 65 consent decree requirements for plant-based protein
• NSF Certified for Sport® standards (for select products), which include screening for heavy metals and banned substances
• Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification standards for our manufacturing facilities
  

We’re committed to transparency and are exploring new ways to share safety information in clear, consumer-friendly formats. Every product you buy is tested and verified before it reaches you.

Our ongoing commitment

Our mission remains the same: to craft clean, nutrient-dense, plant-based nutrition that helps you perform at your best. We’ll continue earning your trust through science, integrity, and transparency.

Learn more here.

Thank you for trusting Vega.

—Lee Meyers, CEO