How To Tell If Your Protein Powder Is Fake

Most things with good sales records are vulnerable to be sold on the black market. Our beloved protein supplements are no different. There have been numerous instances where duplicate protein powders were being sold in through underground channels.

You’re more prone to fake supplements if you live in developing countries where most of the supplements are imported from countries like USA and Canada. Consuming fake supplements for prolonged periods can have a negative impact on your body.

There is a probability you’ve been using fake supplements for a long time without knowing it. If you’ve just started using protein powders, chances are you won’t know what they should be like. This is the complete guide to know if your protein powder is fake –

1. Solubility

Fake supplements aren’t there to improve your muscle mass, they focus on making the smugglers rich. These smugglers use the cheapest materials to make the protein supplements which leads to hard insoluble powders.

If you’ve ever used a genuine protein supplement, you would know how easy it is to dissolve in water. Fake protein supplements are the opposite of this. You won’t be able to mix fake protein powder in water with a spoon. You will need a blender bottle and some hard shakes of the wrist to dissolve the powder in the water.

2. Texture

If you’ve ever seen a protein supplement before this point, you know the powder has a constant texture. This might not be the case with fake supplements. You can expect to find irregularities in the powder.

These irregularities can be anything from vitamin powders to crushed chalk. It is recommended you buy supplements which have a unique flavor. Flavors like chocolate and vanilla are the most common to be tampered with.

3. Taste

When you tamper with the ingredients of a supplement, it will surely affect its taste. The best way to check if a protein is fake or not is to check its taste. If you know someone who is using the same protein powder, exchange one serving with them.

This taste test will be enough to reveal if you have the real thing. Fake protein supplements are also known to have a pungent smell and leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth. Also, check if your supplement has the same taste throughout. If the taste is changing after every serving, you have a fake supplement.

4. Side Effects

Since fake supplements have cheaper ingredients or substitute elements, they can have a negative effect on your body. If you see any ill effects on your body after switching to a new supplement, it’s a sign of a fake protein powder.

The most common side effects of fake supplements are the formation of acne and marks on your back and arms, and hair fall. Stop using the supplements when any of these signs start appearing.

5. Packaging

The product packaging of these fake supplements can be the biggest giveaway. Smugglers might use a substandard quality of jars or labels to save cost. If you have seen the original packaging, you would be able to tell the difference without a problem.

There are some cases where these crooks use the disposed and intact boxes of supplement to repackage their fake supplements. It can be hard in such situations to tell the difference between the real and the fake. It is always advised to crush your containers after you’re done using them to prevent piracy.

Have you ever used a fake supplement?

Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

198 COMMENTS

  8. Here in dubai all of on gold whey are packaged like that fake pic youve posted
    So it means its fake?
    I dont think so even famous pharmacies sells the same packaging as the fake one youve posted

    • Why you speak of fake things? If fake means no existence thus no reason you mention them. Go poop powders from the goods and sell as fake stuff you crazy man nice arms too look like someone not to mention here’s Mom after camel

    • Why you listen to goat man? Sheep go to the heaven goats go to the hell so don’t read the words from the betrayer he speaks of sin and list the one true lord will tell you when you ask. Touch his goat horn and you too will burn in lust rage times. Bon fire is the French for Satan goat lover.

  23. I lived in dubai for 15 years and was a distributor of proteein brands from the U.S. We found out tjat most top brands such as BSN, ON and Muscle tech eere all fake. Another rred flag if they are selling cheaper then where the country they are manufactured in.

    • You admit to crimes openly? My father would take your hands for less. 15 years of poisoning and stealing from his people . He will find you.

    • I’m a user of ON whey protein. I got it for 180 dirhams.Recently I’ve developed acne marks on my arm. So is the protein powder fake?

  24. We call proteins like this a cake mix. Thats all they are. Chocolate , strawberry n vanilla. Theyvalso cause u to bloat n put on bad eright as they are full of carbs instead of protein.

  25. Then here in Brazil the Gold Whey that i buy every month must be fake cause its the same picture. I think this article is fake news, or as we used to say in the good old days, “a bunch of horseshit”.

  27. Can you review some of the proteins your followers use? I use a south African brand by the name “Muscle Work”. Need it checked up.

  33. This is a load of crap… Hopefully the reporter isn’t sued… obviously they’ve run out of real news. Of course there will be fakes out there…. It’s the same as anything else…. like news.

    • After reading this article I’m skeptical. I just got some ON Gold Standard from BB.com and it fits the description. Doesn’t mix well, bitter, metallic aftertaste. Or maybe ON is just shite.

    • This was by far the most uneducated and uninformed article I have ever read in my life. Here I was thinking I was going to read an article that would show how to scientifically test what is actually in the powder you’re drinking. Then I read on to discover how stupid people really are. It is so beyond stupid to believe that tasting anything will tell you the quality of what it is and what is in it. This was just so stupid I’m Blown Away

  72. I work in Iraq and you have to be extra careful out there with fake products, best chances of getting the real deal is to buy the stuff which is a little more pricier as usually the real stuff is $15-20 more expensive than the fake shit

  74. According to my experience the genuine whey protein is like the upper layer of real whey( curd water ) if anyone has seen the upper water of curd there are very very small parts of the curd onto the whey water. Optimum nutrition 100% whey gold is perfect example of that. Coz all whey proteins are made from cheese. Try to match powder with curd layer.

  78. This was by far the most uneducated and uninformed article I have ever read in my life. Here I was thinking I was going to read an article that would show how to scientifically test what is actually in the powder you’re drinking. Then I read on to discover how stupid people really are. It is so beyond stupid to believe that tasting anything will tell you the quality of what it is and what is in it. This was just so stupid I’m Blown Away

  102. I gave up on powders years ago! And I used to work for very well known brands!! Most of the labels on the shelves lie!!! Just do real food guys? It’s just worth the extra effort to cook extra steak, chicken etc every day!!! Trust me on this!

  103. The best way is to not buy that garbage in the first place! I bought it for years and all I got was stomach issues from it! I make my own shakes now with egg whites, oatmeal, organic peanut butter and some berrys! Real food is the best supplement!

  118. Hey everybody

    I am sorry for the misleading picture. This is just a click bait used by GI.

    I am a sponsored ON athlete. I can ensure you that the posted pictures represents the original Gold standard Whey. For references visit https://www.optimumnutrition.com/en_US/products/gold-standard-whey#FMIEc1yoXWHBwkG0.97 or https://instagram.com/p/BQVm4oPgLuV/

    Generation Iron used just two different labels of ON Whey for click baiting. Labels change from Time to time and also vary from USA, UK, EU and Asian Sales region.

    Have a nice day

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