Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate, 4 Cartons, 11 fl oz (325 ml) Each supplement bottle
Optimum Nutrition

Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate, 4 Cartons, 11 fl oz (325 ml) Each

What We Researched
36 active ingredients analyzed · 12 inactive ingredients decoded · 9 brand certifications checked · 1 retailer compared · Last updated: Mar 2026
66
Product Score Fair
92
Brand Score Excellent

Product Analysis

Transparency Excellent

Supplement Facts

IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin D 4 mcg 20%
Calcium 390 mg 30%
Iron 3 mg 15%
Potassium 400 mg 8%
Vitamin A 180 mcg 20%
Vitamin C 18 mg 20%
Vitamin E 3 mg 20%
Vitamin K 24 mcg 20%
Thiamin 0.24 mg 20%
Riboflavin 0.25 mg 20%
Niacin 3 mg 20%
Vitamin B6 0.34mg 20%
Folate (45 mcg folic acid) 80 mcg DFE 20%
Vitamin B12 0.5 mcg 20%
Biotin 6 mcg 20%
Pantothenic Acid 1 mg 20%
Phosphorus 410 mg 20%
lodine 30 mcg 20%
Magnesium 85 mg 20%
Zinc 2.2 mg 20%
Selenium 11 mcg 20%
Copper 0.2 mg 20%
Manganese 0.5 mg 20%
Chromium 7 mcg 20%
Molybdenum 9 mcg 20%
Bioavailability Very Good

Absorption Rating

  • Vitamin D Good
  • Calcium Good
  • Iron Fair
  • Potassium Good
  • Vitamin A Good
  • Vitamin C Fair
  • Vitamin E Good
  • Vitamin K Good
  • Thiamin Good
  • Riboflavin Good
  • Niacin Good
  • Vitamin B6 Fair
  • Folate (45 mcg folic acid) Fair
  • Vitamin B12 Fair
  • Biotin Good
  • Pantothenic Acid Good
  • Phosphorus Good
  • Magnesium Good
  • Zinc Fair
  • Selenium Good
  • Copper Fair
  • Manganese Good
  • Chromium Fair
  • Molybdenum Good
Other Ingredients Very Good

Fillers & Additives

  • Filtered Water
  • Protein blend (milk protein isolate, Milk protein concentrate whey protein concentrate, Calcium caseinate)
  • Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Natural Flavors
  • Cellulose gel and gum
  • Potassium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate
  • Heavy cream
  • Salt
  • Sucralose
  • Acesulfame Potassium
  • Carrageenan Medium
Efficacy Very Poor

Dosage Analysis

  • Vitamin D 4 mcg Under-dosed
  • Calcium 390 mg Under-dosed
  • Iron 3 mg Under-dosed
  • Potassium 400 mg Under-dosed
  • Vitamin A 180 mcg Under-dosed
  • Vitamin C 18 mg Under-dosed
  • Vitamin E 3 mg Under-dosed
  • Vitamin K 24 mcg Under-dosed
  • Thiamin 0.24 mg Under-dosed
  • Riboflavin 0.25 mg Under-dosed
  • Niacin 3 mg Under-dosed
  • Vitamin B6 0.34mg Under-dosed
  • Folate (45 mcg folic acid) 80 mcg DFE Under-dosed
  • Vitamin B12 0.5 mcg Under-dosed
  • Biotin 6 mcg Under-dosed
  • Pantothenic Acid 1 mg Under-dosed
  • Phosphorus 410 mg Under-dosed
  • Magnesium 85 mg Under-dosed
  • Zinc 2.2 mg Under-dosed
  • Selenium 11 mcg Under-dosed
  • Copper 0.2 mg Under-dosed
  • Manganese 0.5 mg Under-dosed
  • Chromium 7 mcg Under-dosed
  • Molybdenum 9 mcg Under-dosed

Supplement Facts

Ingredient Amount % Daily Value
Calories 140
Total Fat 3 g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.5 g 3%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 25 mg 8%
Sodium 210 mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 4 g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1 g 4%
Total Sugars 1 g
Includes 0 g Added Sugars 0%
Protein 24 g 48%
Vitamin D 4 mcg 20%
Calcium 390 mg 30%
Iron 3 mg 15%
Potassium 400 mg 8%
Vitamin A 180 mcg 20%
Vitamin C 18 mg 20%
Vitamin E 3 mg 20%
Vitamin K 24 mcg 20%
Thiamin 0.24 mg 20%
Riboflavin 0.25 mg 20%
Niacin 3 mg 20%
Vitamin B6 0.34mg 20%
Folate (45 mcg folic acid) 80 mcg DFE 20%
Vitamin B12 0.5 mcg 20%
Biotin 6 mcg 20%
Pantothenic Acid 1 mg 20%
Phosphorus 410 mg 20%
lodine 30 mcg 20%
Magnesium 85 mg 20%
Zinc 2.2 mg 20%
Selenium 11 mcg 20%
Copper 0.2 mg 20%
Manganese 0.5 mg 20%
Chromium 7 mcg 20%
Molybdenum 9 mcg 20%

Other Ingredients

Inactive ingredients used in manufacturing. All rated for safety.

Filtered Water Safe

It is used as a solvent to dissolve and mix ingredients.

Protein blend (milk protein isolate, Milk protein concentrate whey protein concentrate, Calcium caseinate) Unknown
Cocoa (Processed with Alkali) Generally_safe

It is added to supplements to provide flavor and color.

Sunflower Oil Safe

Helps dissolve and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Natural Flavors Safe

Improves taste of chewable, gummy, or liquid supplements.

Cellulose gel and gum Unknown
Potassium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate Unknown
Heavy cream Unknown
Salt Safe

It is used as a flavoring agent.

Sucralose Generally_safe

Adds sweetness to chewables, gummies, and powdered supplements without calories.

Acesulfame Potassium Generally_safe

It is used to provide sweetness without adding calories.

Carrageenan Caution

Used to thicken and stabilize liquid and gel supplements.

Price Comparison

Price History

Tracked across major retailers. Updated periodically.

$12$11$10$9$8 Mar 12 $9.75
iHerb

Prices shown at time of last check. Click a retailer to see current price. GoodSupp is not affiliated with any retailer.

Brand Trust Report
Optimum Nutrition

Founded 1986 · Downers Grove, IL, United States · 95 products · optimumnutrition.com

Certifications

9 certifications
Consumerlab Verified Source
Informed Sport Verified Source
Labdoor Verified Source
Nsf Certified For Sport Verified Source
Usda Organic Verified Source
Vegan Certified Verified Source
Fda Gmp Inspections Verified Source
Non Gmo Project Verified Source
Nsf Gmp Verified Source

Transparency

4 claims
Third Party Testing Claim — Verified Source
Testing Lab Disclosure — Claimed Source
In House Testing — Verified Source

Violation History

5 incidents
Prop 65 Lead2025-07-21Source
Prop 65 Lead2024-11-22Source
Recall Various nutritional and beverage products2022-07-28Source
Prop 65 Lead2017-03-10Source
Lawsuit Deceptive claims about the plant-based enzyme 'Aminogen' and its effect on protein digestion and absorption.2013Source
Related Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate a good supplement?

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate, 4 Cartons, 11 fl oz (325 ml) Each received a product quality score of 66/100 in GoodSupp's independent analysis, suggesting some areas that could be improved. The product contains 36 active ingredients with 4 servings per container. Of the 12 inactive ingredients, 4 are rated safe and 1 are flagged for review. The manufacturer, Optimum Nutrition, holds a brand trust score of 92/100 with 9 verified certifications including Consumerlab, Informed Sport, Labdoor, Nsf Certified For Sport.

What are the ingredients in Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate?

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate contains 36 active ingredients: Calories (140), Total Fat (3 g), Saturated Fat (0.5 g), Trans Fat (0 g), Cholesterol (25 mg), Sodium (210 mg), and 30 more. Each ingredient's dosage, form, and safety rating is analyzed independently in GoodSupp's full product breakdown.

Is Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate safe to take?

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® Protein Shake, Chocolate, 4 Cartons, 11 fl oz (325 ml) Each has been analyzed for ingredient safety across all its components. Of 12 inactive ingredients, 4 are rated safe. 1 ingredient is flagged for review: Carrageenan. 'Caution' doesn't mean dangerous — it indicates the ingredient has some considerations worth being aware of, such as potential sensitivities or ongoing research. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions.

Is Optimum Nutrition a trustworthy supplement brand?

Optimum Nutrition receives a brand trust score of 92/100 based on GoodSupp's independent analysis of certifications, regulatory history, and transparency practices. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, United States, the company offers 95 products in their lineup. They hold 9 verified certifications including Consumerlab, Informed Sport, Labdoor, Nsf Certified For Sport. Third-party certifications are independently verified and indicate the brand meets specific quality, purity, and manufacturing standards. Note: Optimum Nutrition has 5 historical regulatory incidents on record, which are factored into the trust score.

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Disclaimer: GoodSupp provides independent supplement quality analysis for informational purposes only. Scores are generated algorithmically based on ingredient profiles, brand certifications, and public records. This is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Product data is sourced from manufacturer labels and public databases. GoodSupp is not affiliated with any supplement brand.