Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey ultra-processed?

Protein powders Sold in the United States

Pack of Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 21 ingredients
  • 4 additives

Less processed protein powders

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

UNCOM nytime to inkability 1O ARTIFICIAL GROWTH HORMONES* DIFFERENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN ERIVED FROM RBST-TREATED and TED COWS rotein to meet high protein 5 part of a aining 80 servings per container Nut on at song Serving size (About 1 Scoop), Amount per serving Calories Total Fat 2g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 55mg Sodium 160mg Total Carbohydrate 3g Dietary Fiber < 1g Total Sugars 2g Protein 24g Calcium 140mg Iron 07mg Potassium 200mg Not a significant source of trans fat, added sugars, vitamin D *The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet 2‚000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein), Cocoa, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sunflower, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Sucralose, Daily Value* 3% 5% 18% 7% 1% 2% 48% 10% 4% 4% MANUFACTURED FOR GLANBIA PERFORMANCE NUTRITION, INC 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 1200 Downers Grove, il 60515 1 (800), 705-5226 MANUFACTURED IN THE USA A TAOS INCAR DIE NTS and PORE SIR CRISIN A MOED BUT MAY SA

Additives: E322 Lecithins , E322i Lecithin , E415 Xanthan gum , E955 Sucralose

As written on the pack

UNCOM nytime to inkability 1O ARTIFICIAL GROWTH HORMONES* DIFFERENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN ERIVED FROM RBST-TREATED AND TED COWS rotein to meet high protein 5 part of a aining 80 servings per container Nut on at song Serving size 32g (About 1 Scoop) Amount per serving Calories Total Fat 2g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 55mg Sodium 160mg Total Carbohydrate 3g Dietary Fiber &lt; 1g Total Sugars 2g Protein 24g Calcium 140mg Iron 07mg Potassium 200mg Not a significant source of trans fat, added sugars and vitamin D *The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium CONTAINS: MILK AND SOY 130 % Daily Value* 3% 5% 18% 7% 1% 2% 48% 10% 4% 4% MANUFACTURED FOR GLANBIA PERFORMANCE NUTRITION (NA), INC 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 1200 Downers Grove, IL 60515 1(800) 705-5226 MANUFACTURED IN THE USA A TAOS INCAR DIE NTS AND PORE SIR CRISIN A MOED BUT MAY SA

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • E322 Lecithins Lecithins are fatty substances extracted mostly from soybeans, sunflower seeds or eggs, used as emulsifiers to keep fat and water mixed, for example in chocolate.
  • E415 Xanthan gum Xanthan gum is a thickener made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
  • E955 Sucralose Sucralose is a sweetener made by chlorinating sugar.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

Substances rarely used in home kitchens

Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Milk proteins Milk proteins are proteins separated from milk, such as caseinates and whey protein concentrates, added to adjust texture or raise protein content.
  • Cocoa An ingredient mostly produced industrially and rarely used in home kitchens.
2 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 150 protein powders

From least to most processed, this one ranks 96th. 95% of the protein powders here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 150 protein powders, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 0748927068856, last edited 24 March 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
  • Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.