1. Creatine Gummies: The Candy‑Coated Scam

Yesterday, SuppCo released third‑party lab results on Amazon’s top‑selling creatine gummies top supplements. Four of the six brands tested delivered <1 g of creatine per serving—two delivered zero. All four under‑dosed products were also high in creatinine, the waste by‑product you don’t want.[1] Meanwhile, every plain‑powder creatine they pulled off the shelf hit ~5 g and passed heavy‑metal screens.

“Creatine gummies performed terribly.” — SuppCo lab report

The physics is simple: you can’t squeeze an evidence‑based 3–5 g dose into a gummy without turning it into a jawbreaker. Brands solve that problem by… not solving it. They just slash the dose and crank up the sugar. Congrats—you bought expensive candy.

2. Greens Powders: When “Superfood” Means Heavy Metals

Greens powders have become the adult multivitamin du jour—but “premium” doesn’t mean “pure.” ConsumerLab’s April 2025 update found significant lead contamination in AG1, the influencer‑famous $99 subscription blend.[2] Prop 65 lawyers have already fired 60‑day notices over lead in other greens like Smarter Greens Superfood.[4]

Heavy‑metal issues aren’t isolated. The non‑profit Clean Label Project tested 160 protein & greens powders this year and reported that 47 % exceeded California’s Prop 65 limits for toxic metals.[3]

“Plant‑based powders were the most contaminated, with five‑times more cadmium than whey.” — Clean Label Project 2025 Report

3. Protein Powders & Label Lies

It’s not just greens. Multiple academic and citizen‑science projects keep catching protein powders missing their own protein numbers or sneaking in unlisted fillers. One 2024 multi‑country analysis flagged widespread label inaccuracies across big‑name brands.[5]

4. Why Does the Hype Machine Keep Winning?

The supplement industry in the U.S. operates under the DSHEA 1994 framework—i.e., companies self‑police, the FDA mainly reacts after people get hurt, and marketing claims don’t need pre‑approval.[6] Combine lax oversight with social‑media virality and you’ve got a perfect Petri dish for bullshit.

5. How to Dodge the Dumpster Fire

• Demand a COA: Certificate of Analysis from a real ISO‑accredited lab, batch‑specific, not a marketing PDF. PCP can provide you when asked, we have our products tested. 
• Look for trusted brands, better than vibes or even NSF or certifications which only test against bad stuff and not for quality of formula. 
• Check dose vs. serving size: If a gummy/pill/supplement promises miracles but weighs less than the science‑based dose, you’re being scammed.
• Favor unflavored powders: Less room for fillers, sweeteners, and heat damage.
• Support transparent brands: Yes, like PureClean Performance—we have COAs and stick to evidence‑based dosing, even if it means a scoop instead of candy.