Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Lawsuit, What Consumers Need to Know About Heavy Metal Allegations

Multiple legal actions target Vital Proteins, a collagen supplement brand owned by Nestlé Health Science, over allegations that its products contain unsafe levels of heavy metals — including lead and cadmium — without proper warnings. No final class action settlement exists as of April 2026. This article covers every confirmed legal action against the company so consumers understand exactly where things stand.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Company	Vital Proteins, LLC (owned by Nestlé Health Science)
Lawsuit Types	Prop 65 violation, product liability, arbitration clause challenge
Heavy Metals Alleged	Lead, cadmium, arsenic
Products Implicated	Collagen Peptides, Daily Greens, Plant Protein powders
2023 Recall	~60,000 canisters (plastic contamination)
Settlement Status	No class action settlement finalized as of April 2026
First Legal Action	November 2017 (California Prop 65)
Retailers Named	Target, Amazon, TJX Companies (Costco)
Class Action Filed	PAGUADA v. Vital Proteins LLC (S.D.N.Y., August 2020)
Official Website	vitalproteins.com

Where Things Stand Right Now

• California Proposition 65 notices were issued to Vital Proteins and associated retailers in 2025 regarding the failure to warn consumers of potential heavy metal exposures.
• Specific products named in the July 2025 notice include Vital Proteins Daily Greens and Plant Protein powders, sold at Target, Amazon, and TJX Companies.
• No final class action settlement has been announced. The litigation is ongoing across multiple fronts — federal court, California state court, and Proposition 65 enforcement actions.

What the Vital Proteins Lawsuits Actually Allege

The legal complaints against Vital Proteins fall into three separate but connected categories. Understanding each one helps consumers figure out which situation applies to them.

1. Heavy Metals in Collagen Products

A November 2017 lawsuit filed under California’s Proposition 65 alleged that Vital Proteins failed to warn consumers about exposure to lead and cadmium in several products. According to court documents, certain products like the Vital Proteins Grass Fed Pasture Raised Collagen Whey and Vital Proteins Collagen Veggie Blend contained levels of these toxic heavy metals above California’s Maximum Allowable Dose Level.

In 2018, Vital Proteins filed for a settlement in the Superior Court of the State of California over lead and cadmium in their products. The company eventually added Prop 65 warning labels — but only after legal action forced the issue.

The lawsuit accuses Vital Proteins of selling supplements that exceed safe levels of heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium, which are known to cause serious health risks such as cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

Related article: PETA’s Lawsuit Against the American Kennel Club, Why It Was Filed and Why a Judge Threw It Out

2. Federal Class Action Over Product Quality

The case PAGUADA v. Vital Proteins LLC was filed in federal court in New York on August 27, 2020. That lawsuit focused on whether the company’s marketing claims about collagen benefits matched reality. As of April 2026, no final settlement from that case has been publicly confirmed.

3. Hidden Arbitration Clause Controversy

In 2024, photos circulated online, primarily on Reddit, showing canisters with a warning stating that by opening and using the product, consumers agree to be bound by the company’s Terms and Conditions. This means the arbitration agreement — which blocks participation in class action lawsuits — appeared only after a customer already opened the container.

Several legal challenges question the enforceability of these hidden arbitration clauses, arguing they were not properly disclosed to consumers.

Why Lead and Cadmium in a Supplement Is a Serious Problem

Many people assume supplements sold at major retailers like Target or Costco go through the same testing as prescription drugs. They do not. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they hit shelves — it only acts after problems surface.

Lead is associated with neurological damage, developmental delays in children, cardiovascular problems, and cancers. Cadmium poses risks to the kidneys, lungs, and bones, and is also classified as a carcinogen.

California’s Proposition 65 law requires businesses to warn consumers before knowingly exposing them to chemicals linked to cancer or reproductive harm. When a company sells a product in California without that warning — and the product contains Prop 65-listed chemicals above threshold levels — it faces civil enforcement actions. That is exactly the situation Vital Proteins found itself in, repeatedly.

Vital Proteins now includes a Prop 65 warning on its products stating: “WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

The 2023 Recall: Plastic in Collagen Powder

Separate from the heavy metals issue, Vital Proteins faced a product safety recall in 2023.

In mid-2023, Vital Proteins voluntarily recalled nearly 60,000 canisters of its Collagen Peptides powder due to potential contamination with plastic pieces from a broken lid. The recall affected specific batches of 24 oz. containers sold at Costco stores in multiple states and Puerto Rico during April 2023.

The recall was voluntary. No injuries were confirmed. But it added to growing consumer concern about quality control practices at the company.

Which Products Are Affected

Specific products implicated in the 2025 Proposition 65 notices include Vital Proteins Daily Greens and Plant Protein powders. Earlier lawsuits named the Grass Fed Pasture Raised Collagen Whey and Collagen Veggie Blend.

Consumers who purchased any Vital Proteins collagen powder, greens powder, or plant protein supplement — especially between 2017 and present — should keep their receipts and packaging if they plan to pursue any legal claim.

What Consumers Can Do Right Now

There is no open claims portal or active settlement to file with as of April 2026. However, consumers concerned about heavy metal exposure have several practical options.

If you purchased Vital Proteins products and have health concerns, speak with your doctor about testing for heavy metal exposure. If you purchased products in California and were not warned about Prop 65 chemicals, you may have grounds for a consumer protection claim — consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Save all receipts, product packaging, and any records of health symptoms you believe are connected to product use. Statutes of limitations for product liability claims typically range from two to six years depending on your state, so time matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Vital Proteins settlement I can file a claim for right now? 

No confirmed class action settlement is open for claims as of April 2026. The litigation is still active. If a settlement is reached and a claims process opens, affected consumers will receive direct notice or the settlement administrator will publish claim instructions publicly.

Which Vital Proteins products have been linked to heavy metals? 

Products named in court documents include the Vital Proteins Grass Fed Pasture Raised Collagen Whey and Vital Proteins Collagen Veggie Blend. The 2025 Prop 65 notice specifically names the Daily Greens and Plant Protein powders.

Are Vital Proteins products still on shelves? 

Yes. No product-wide recall is currently in effect. The 2023 recall was limited to specific batches of Collagen Peptides powder sold at Costco. Vital Proteins continues to sell products at major retailers nationwide.

What is Proposition 65 and why does it matter here? 

California’s Proposition 65 requires companies to warn consumers before exposing them to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. When Vital Proteins sold products containing lead and cadmium without that warning, it violated state law. The company now includes a Prop 65 warning — but only after lawsuits compelled it to do so.

What is the hidden arbitration clause and why is it controversial? 

Vital Proteins printed an arbitration agreement inside the lid of its containers, visible only after the consumer already opened and purchased the product. Agreeing to arbitration typically means you give up the right to join a class action lawsuit. Legal challenges argue that a consumer cannot meaningfully agree to terms they could not read before buying the product.

Do I need a lawyer to pursue a claim against Vital Proteins?

 For Proposition 65 matters or product liability claims, consulting a licensed attorney is strongly recommended. No open settlement portal currently exists, so individual legal guidance is the most practical path for affected consumers right now.

When will this lawsuit be resolved?

 Complex supplement litigation typically takes two to four years from filing to resolution. The federal case was filed in 2020, and multiple Prop 65 actions continue. A resolution timeline is TBD based on ongoing court proceedings.

Will any settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Settlement payments related to personal physical injury or illness are generally not taxable under federal law. Payments for economic losses — such as a product refund — may be taxable. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Sources & References

• California Attorney General Prop 65 Notice (July 2025): oag.ca.gov
• PAGUADA v. Vital Proteins LLC — S.D.N.Y., filed August 27, 2020
• Vital Proteins Terms & Conditions (arbitration clause): vitalproteins.com
• JTA / Jewish Telegraphic Agency reporting on supplement industry accountability

Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.