A protein content check is only one part of what we test for. When we said we lab test every batch, we meant more than the number on the front of the label.

It's not just about protein content

Our earlier post on why we lab test our protein covered how ALS verifies that the protein percentage on the label matches what's actually in the bag. That's an important check, but it's not the only one. Alongside protein purity, we also test for heavy metals and gluten, and ALS's food testing division covers microbiological safety and pesticide screening as part of the same relationship.

Heavy metals

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury occur naturally in soil and water, and they can find their way into raw ingredients, including dairy, plant proteins and mineral additives, well before any of it reaches a manufacturing facility. It isn't something specific to one brand or ingredient, it's a reality of how food is grown and sourced. Regular testing is how we keep an eye on it rather than assume it away.

Gluten

Our facility processes ingredients that include wheat alongside our dairy and plant-based products, so cross-contamination is a genuine risk to manage, not just a label formality. Gluten testing checks that products intended to be gluten-free actually are, and it's part of why we're upfront on our labels and allergen information about what's made alongside what.

What else "and more" covers

Beyond protein, heavy metals and gluten, ALS's food and beverage testing also covers microbiological safety, checking for things like harmful bacteria, and pesticide screening on raw ingredients. Between all of these checks, a single batch can go through several different tests before it's cleared, not just the one everyone talks about.

Why this matters more than a single number

A protein percentage on its own doesn't tell you whether a product is safe, just whether it's honest about its protein content. Testing for contaminants and allergens alongside protein is what actually backs up a genuine quality claim, rather than just a purity one.

See it for yourself

You can look up your batch's protein test result on our independent lab test results page. It's part of the same testing relationship with ALS that covers the heavy metal, gluten and microbiological checks described above, across our Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Blend, Micellar Casein and Plant Protein ranges.