Vital Proteins
Facts-only compliance record. Every entry is source-backed and dated.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-15
Event Timeline
Class action: misleading collagen gummies labeling
Carmen Rivera v. Vital Proteins LLC (NY Supreme Court, NY County). Alleges misleading labeling of collagen gummies — front label suggests each gummy has 2.5g dose when 4 gummies are actually required per serving.
Supplemental Prop 65 notice filed for new products
Supplemental 60-day notice (2025-02591) filed in July 2025 for additional Vital Proteins products, extending the original 2017 complaint to new SKUs.
FDA Class II recall: 59,701 canisters for plastic foreign material
59,701 canisters of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides recalled (FDA Class II) due to blue broken lid pieces potentially contaminating the product. Distributed to Costco in 20 states and Puerto Rico.
Lead Safe Mama: arsenic detected in addition to lead
Lead Safe Mama independent testing found Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Unflavored tested positive for both lead AND arsenic, adding arsenic to the known contamination profile.
Hidden forced arbitration agreement printed inside sealed packaging
Vital Proteins prints terms and a mandatory arbitration agreement on a carton INSIDE the sealed container, only visible after purchase and opening. Went viral on TikTok/social media in December 2024. The practice effectively strips consumers of their right to sue without informed consent before purchase.
Clean Label Project study flags collagen products for heavy metals
Clean Label Project 2024 study found 64% of tested collagen products positive for arsenic, 37% for lead, 34% for mercury, 17% for cadmium. Vital Proteins was among brands flagged. Independent testing has also detected trace mercury in Vital Proteins products.
$500M class action lawsuit filed
Class action lawsuit with claims exceeding $500 million filed against Vital Proteins, documented in Mamavation reporting and California Attorney General records.
NAD recommended discontinuing collagen health claims
NAD found fish collagen studies couldn't substantiate bovine collagen health claims for "healthy hair, skin, nails, bones, joints and gut." Recommended Vital Proteins discontinue the claims.
Prop 65 complaint for lead and cadmium
60-day notice 2017-02480 filed alleging lead and cadmium levels exceeding California Proposition 65 safe harbor limits in Vital Proteins collagen products. Consent judgment/settlement reached August 2018.