GoodSwap Get notified
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein French Vanilla Crème
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Protein powders

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein French Vanilla Crème

2.27 kg

Excellent out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains artificial flavors
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 88

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein French Vanilla Crème scores 88 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
  2. Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
  3. Protein blend (unspecified): An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

The Receipt

Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein French Vanilla Crème

START100

Ingredients

  • Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
    Strong In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. [1][2][3][4]
  • Sucralose
    Strong In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. [5][6][7][3][4]
  • Protein blend (unspecified)
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
  • Natural and artificial flavors
    Strong The label does not disclose which flavoring substances are used. [9][4]
  • Lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
subtotal−12.5
TOTAL 88Excellent

100 − 12.5 = 87.5 → 88

GTIN 00748927024128 · 2026-04-08

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy355 kcal
Fat3.2 g
Saturated fat1.6 g
Carbohydrates6.5 g
Sugars6.5 g
Added sugars0 g
Protein77.4 g
Salt0.8 g

Serving: 1 scoop (31 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

PROTEIN BLEND (WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PEPTIDES), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, LECITHIN, SALT, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, LACTASE.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Soy, Egg

May contain: Gluten

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest protein powders in the US

More from Optimum Nutrition

Sources

  1. Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study

    PLOS Medicine · Mar 24, 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”

    doi.org

  2. Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)

    European Food Safety Authority · Apr 30, 2025 · Agency assessment

    “The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  3. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  5. Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance

    Cell · September 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”

    doi.org

  6. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B · Aug 18, 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”

    doi.org

  7. EFSA finds sucralose safe when used as currently authorised; cannot confirm safety of extending its use

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 17, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  8. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov