What’s in the Tub
Heads up, longtime fans: this isn’t the powder in most older reviews. The original formula used organic pea, brown rice and sacha inchi protein with added vitamin C and B12. Today’s US version uses pea, fava bean and brown rice protein, it isn’t organic, and the US label lists no B12. ON’s current US product page went up in August 2025; exactly when the formula switched is unconfirmed. The European version is a different product again.
Our Rich Chocolate Fudge link lists 1 scoop (40 g): 150 calories, 24 g of protein, 6 g of carbs, 2 g of fiber, 0 g of sugar, 3.5 g of fat and 540 mg of sodium, with 8.4 mg of iron. Stevia does the sweetening, and ON says there are no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.
The rest of the label is an oil creamer (coconut and/or sunflower oil, rice syrup solids and a few helpers), natural flavor, cocoa, salt and a gum trio of xanthan, guar and acacia, which sounds like a law firm but isn’t. No enzymes, probiotics, greens or added vitamins. ON says it supplies all nine essential amino acids but doesn’t publish leucine numbers. This one is built for creaminess, not minimalism.
Taste and Texture: What Reviewers Say
Here’s the honest answer: no independent review of the current pea, fava and rice formula exists yet. The reviews you’ll find online tested the old sacha inchi version, so they don’t count toward this powder’s score.
For history’s sake: BarBend’s reviewer described the old vanilla as nutty, more salted caramel than vanilla in almond milk and close to flavorless in water. It scored 7 out of 10 for taste and mixed very well. VegFAQs gave the old formula 15 out of 25 for taste, calling it “okay to drink” with a noticeable aftertaste and a slightly grainy, mostly smooth texture.
Captain Vegan’s opinion: a new recipe deserves a fresh taste test, and grading this tub on the old soup wouldn’t be fair to anyone. For powders with real reviewer taste scores, see our best-tasting picks.
Safety and Testing
ON Gold Standard Plant Protein (USA) is Informed Choice certified in Creamy Vanilla and Rich Chocolate Fudge, with recent batch tests dated October 16, 2026 (vanilla) and September 17, 2026 (chocolate). Informed Choice screens for banned substances; it isn’t a heavy-metal test.
Consumer Reports did not test this powder in its October 2025 report; it tested other ON products, such as Gold Standard 100% Whey. No published heavy-metal results for the plant protein turned up either.
Two California Prop 65 notices have named it, and Prop 65 notices are allegations, not findings. A 2023 notice over lead in the plant protein was withdrawn in December 2024. A second, filed July 21, 2025 by WHEN Justice, alleges lead in 10 ON products, including Rich Chocolate Fudge, our linked flavor. As of November 3, 2026, it showed no withdrawal or settlement. No recalls or lawsuits naming this product turned up.
How It Scored
Protein: 18/25. 24 g per scoop earns 8 of 10 points for grams. About 64% of its calories come from protein, worth 4.8 of 10 for density; the creamer and carbs take a bite. Three protein sources earn the full 5 for amino-acid support.
Value: 19/25. Its cost per 20 g of protein is the fourth-lowest in our top 10, behind Naked Pea, Purely Inspired and Orgain. Big-brand name, mid-pack price.
Purity: 17/25. From our starting 15, Informed Choice adds 4, and the open 2025 Prop 65 notice naming Rich Chocolate Fudge subtracts 2. There’s no Consumer Reports result to count either way.
Taste: 15/25. With no independent review of the current formula, taste and mixing both get our neutral 60%: 12 of 20 and 3 of 5. Once a reviewer rates the new version, this number can move. Full rules are on how we rank.
How It Compares
PlantFusion Complete (#6, 68/100) sits one point behind. PlantFusion has real reviewer taste scores (21 of 25 in our taste category) and costs a bit more per gram of protein. Consumer Reports measured its Creamy Vanilla Bean at 140% of CR’s lead level of concern (October 2025), and it has its own 2025 Prop 65 notice.
Vega Protein + Recovery (#2, 72/100) is the other big-name gym pick, with 30 g in a 41 g scoop and NSF Certified for Sport status. Consumer Reports measured its chocolate at 185% of CR’s lead level of concern (October 2025) and flagged cadmium, which costs it purity points.
Naked Pea (#1, 84/100) shares the Informed Choice badge, delivers 27 g per 2-scoop serving, costs less per gram of protein and has one ingredient. You give up the chocolate and the creamer. Athletes can compare more options on our athletes page.