Understanding the Risks in Collagen Supplements
Consumers often choose collagen products based on perceived health benefits, unaware that many of these supplements are derived from industrial factory farms. These farming methods have been identified as potential sources of heavy metals, raising concerns about product safety.
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and the Clean Label Project (CLP) conducted a study to investigate the presence of heavy metals in popular collagen products. Their research utilized Amazon.com's bestsellers list and the findings from the Clean Label Project's 2018 protein powder investigation to select 28 products for analysis.
Katherine Paul, OCA's associate director, highlighted the disconnect between consumer expectations and product origins: "Consumers buy collagen products largely for the perceived health benefits, not realizing that many of these products are derived from industrial factory farms which have been identified as sources of heavy metals."
The reality of animal agriculture in the United States presents a challenge. Jaclyn Bowen, food safety and quality systems engineer and executive director of Clean Label Project, stated, "The unfortunate reality is the quantity of certified organic and pasture-raised animals in the US is dwarfed by the number of animals raised under industrial factory farming production methods."
Regulatory Concerns and Testing Methodologies
Public health concerns have prompted significant attention from health organizations. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has recently called for a moratorium on Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), citing issues that also include the risk of slaughterhouses being infected with COVID-19.
To address these concerns, the OCA and CLP employed independent laboratories for their testing. These laboratories were accredited to test for the presence of total arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The specific method utilized for this analysis was the Environmental Protection Agency's Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (EPA 6020A, 3015), a widely recognized standard for detecting trace elements.
Organizations Driving Transparency in Consumer Products
The study was a collaborative effort between two prominent non-profit organizations dedicated to consumer safety and environmental health:
- Organic Consumers Association (OCA): This organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of millions of consumers. Its mission is to promote safe, healthful food and a clean environment.
- Clean Label Project: Clean Label Project is a national nonprofit organization with a clear mission: to bring truth and transparency to consumer product labeling.
tags: #biooptimal #collagen #powder #heavy #metals