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Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% — product pack

Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Optimum Nutrition and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks

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Optimum Nutrition

Brand owned by Glanbia (Ireland) · about the brand

Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100%

Veg Jain supplement
6.0 Moderate

Decode Label Safety Score

Nutrition · 40% 10.0/10
Ingredient safety · 30% 9.5/10
Processing · 20% 4.5/10
Marketing · 10% 5.9/10
How we got 6.0 Show
Weighted score 8.3/10
Capped — Contains an intense artificial sweetener (acesulfame). Sweeteners are judged by name, and a protein powder is not exempt ≤ 6.0
Final score 6.0/10 · Moderate

Reviewed 11 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed

This protein supplement provides a good source of protein from a blend of whey isolates, concentrates, and hydrolysates, which are beneficial for muscle support and recovery. However, the inclusion of 'Natural and Artificial Flavor' without further disclosure raises transparency concerns regarding the specific flavoring compounds. Additionally, Acesulfame Potassium, an artificial sweetener, is present, which some individuals may prefer to avoid. The lecithin is present in trace amounts, so a meaningful benefit from it is unlikely. Overall, it's a functional protein product suitable for adults, but those sensitive to artificial flavors or sweeteners should be aware.

At a glance

From the declared label — not a lab test

Findings to weigh

Score limiter Contains an intense artificial sweetener (acesulfame). Sweeteners are judged by name, and a protein powder is not exempt See which concerns held the score down. → Declared allergens Milk + Soy Matters if you have any of these allergies; check the pack’s own allergen statement. →

What’s favorable

  • Whey Protein Isolate
  • Whey Protein Concentrate
  • Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

Whey protein blend with artificial sweetener and undisclosed flavors.

This product offers a blend of whey proteins for muscle support. It contains 'Natural and Artificial Flavor' which lacks transparency, and the artificial sweetener Acesulfame Potassium, which some consumers prefer to avoid. It is intended for adult use.

Okay for: Healthy adults seeking protein supplementation

Declared allergens: Milk and Soy

Milk· Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate Soy· Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin

Relevant if you have any of these allergies or intolerances.

Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.

Concern breakdown What drives the score, concern by concern · score out of 10, higher = fewer concerns
Key risks: Contains an intense artificial sweetener (acesulfame). Sweeteners are judged by name, and a protein powder is not exempt

Concern breakdown

Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concerns

How this product performs on each concern we check for supplement. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.

Artificial Sweeteners Significant concern · 3.5/10
Fillers & Additive Burden Moderate concern · 5.0/10
Banned & Adulterant Risk Minor concern · 6.5/10
Micronutrient Overdose No concern identified · 8.0/10
Stimulant Load No concern identified · 8.0/10
Proprietary Blends & Dosing No concern identified · 8.0/10
Artificial Colours & Dyes No concern identified · 8.0/10
Added & Hidden Sugar No concern identified · 9.0/10
Excess Sodium & Salt No concern identified · 10.0/10

Other audiences

Avoid
Not intended for children

This is an adult sports-nutrition supplement, formulated for adults for exercise and training. It is not intended for infants or young children.

Why the score is capped

Contains an intense artificial sweetener (acesulfame). Sweeteners are judged by name, and a protein powder is not exempt

Rule S-CAP-01 · Source: Declared ingredient list; EFSA and JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews of the named sweetener

What's good

High-quality protein blend for muscle support

Contains hydrolyzed whey for faster absorption

Watch out for

Undisclosed 'Natural and Artificial Flavor'

Presence of artificial sweetener (Acesulfame Potassium)

Contains soy (lecithin), a common allergen

Decode Label Analysis

The ingredient 'Natural and Artificial Flavor' lacks specific disclosure, which can be a concern for individuals with sensitivities or those who prefer to avoid certain flavoring compounds.

Contains Soy Lecithin, which is a common allergen. Individuals with soy allergies should exercise caution.

Claim check

1 claim not supported by label data

Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.

!
"100% WHEY PROTEIN" Not supported by label data

The ingredient list includes a 'Protein blend' which contains Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Hydrolyzed Whey Protein, but also lists other ingredients like cocoa powder, lecithin, and artificial flavors, making the '100% Whey Protein' claim misleading as it i

Protein blend Whey Protein Isolate Whey Protein Concentrate Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
?
"GOLD STANDARD" Can't verify

The term 'Gold Standard' is a marketing claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.

?
"FOR MUSCLE SUPPORT & RECOVERY" Can't verify

The claim 'For Muscle Support & Recovery' is a health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts alone.

?
"DOUBLE RICH CHOCOLATE" Can't verify

The claim 'Double Rich Chocolate' describes the flavor, which cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.

✓
"24G PROTEIN PER SERVING" Checks out

The nutrition information states that there are 24g of protein per serving.

protein g 24 per serving
✓
"ARTIFICIALLY FLAVORED" Checks out

The ingredient list includes 'Natural and Artificial Flavor', confirming the product is artificially flavored.

Natural and Artificial Flavor
✓
"29 SERVINGS" Checks out

The label explicitly states '29 SERVINGS'.

29 SERVINGS

Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.

  • 1.
    Protein Blend
  • Whey Protein Isolate within Protein Blend
  • Whey Protein Concentrate within Protein Blend
  • Hydrolyzed Whey Protein within Protein Blend
  • 2.
    Cocoa Powder
  • Processed with Alkali within Cocoa Powder
  • 3.
    Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin trace amount
  • 4.
    Natural and Artificial Flavor
  • 5.
    Acesulfame Potassium

Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.

In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.

These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.

Milk Allergen on the label: Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Allergen
Soy Allergen on the label: Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin
Allergen

The label declares each of these as a blend and then lists what is in it. The components appear in the groups above on their own merits, so the blend itself is shown here rather than counted a second time.

Learn More

Google Wikipedia EWG Skin Deep Open Food Facts
Nutrition (per serving) Serving: 31g (About 1 Scoop)
Energy 120 kcal
Protein 24 g
Carbohydrate 3 g
Total Sugars 1 g
Total Fat 1.5 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Dietary Fibre 1 g
Sodium 130 mg
Cholesterol 55 mg
Calcium 130 mg
Iron 0.7 mg
Potassium 200 mg

Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), calculated from the declared serving — this label prints per-serving figures only.

Compare with other protein supplement products

Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.

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Gold Standard 100% Whey Unflavoured

Gold Standard 100% Whey Unflavoured

7.5

OPTIMUM NUTRITION.
Nutrabay Pure Pea Protein Isolate - 25.3g Protein, 5g BCAA

Nutrabay Pure Pea Protein Isolate - 25.3g Protein, 5g BCAA

7.5

Nutrabay
OZiva Protein & Herbs for Women (Chocolate)

OZiva Protein & Herbs for Women (Chocolate)

7.5

OZiva
Protinex Lite Zero Added Suger Vanilla Flaour

Protinex Lite Zero Added Suger Vanilla Flaour

6.5

Protinex
Gold Standard 100% Whey Double Rich Chocolate Flavour

Gold Standard 100% Whey Double Rich Chocolate Flavour

6.0

Optimum Nutrition

Side-by-side comparisons

How this product's label compares with others on the same shelf, row by row.

Also on this shelf

More Protein Supplement products we've analysed, in name order.

What are the ingredients in Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100%?

The label of Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% lists 9 ingredients, in label order: Protein blend, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein, Cocoa powder, Processed with Alkali, Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium. Flagged by the analysis: Acesulfame Potassium.

Is Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% safe to eat?

Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% scores 6.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This product offers a blend of whey proteins for muscle support. It contains 'Natural and Artificial Flavor' which lacks transparency, and the artificial sweetener Acesulfame Potassium, which some consumers prefer to avoid. It is intended for adult use.

Why does Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% score 6.0/10?

Flagged in the score: Presence of artificial sweetener (Acesulfame Potassium). Also noted: Undisclosed 'Natural and Artificial Flavor'. Contains soy (lecithin), a common allergen.

Who should avoid Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100%?

The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitivity to artificial sweeteners; Sensitivity to undisclosed flavors; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance; Soy allergy.

Does Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% contain allergens?

Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate and Hydrolyzed Whey Protein) and soy (Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.

Does Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% contain milk?

Yes — the ingredient list names Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate and Hydrolyzed Whey Protein. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.

Does Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% contain soy?

Yes — the ingredient list names Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.

How much sugar is in Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100%?

3.2 g of total sugar per 100 g. The label does not declare added sugar separately, so we cannot say how much of it is added.

Are the claims on the Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% pack accurate?

Decode Label checked 7 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "100% WHEY PROTEIN" — misleading. "GOLD STANDARD" — can't be verified from the label. "FOR MUSCLE SUPPORT & RECOVERY" — can't be verified from the label.

Is Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% vegetarian?

Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% is marked vegetarian.

Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.

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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.

Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.

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