As an active adult who understands the value of whey protein for exercise recovery, we’re sure you’ve noticed price increases over the last few years. Like the fluctuations you’ve seen in gasoline’s cost per gallon, and what’s currently happening with eggs and sugar at the grocery store, whey protein is a commodity. Its price is determined by the available supply of raw materials and consumer demand for the finished product. There are many factors involved, and ON wants to make you aware of the economic forces influencing the cost of your favorite whey protein.

Record High Demand

The popularity of sports nutrition products is at an all-time high. But increased demand for ready to mix protein powders is only part of the problem. Greek yogurt and other trendy foods that are fortified with whey protein are diverting large quantities of whey ingredients from the sports nutrition marketplace. In addition, escalating demand for whey-fortified foods in emerging economies is further stressing an already tight global supply of the raw materials used to produce whey protein powders.

Tight Supply

Whey is a byproduct of cheese production. After it is collected, the raw whey goes through a series of processing steps to become Whey Concentrate, the basic ingredient found in many whey protein powders. Additional refinement is required to produce the purest form of whey known as Whey Protein Isolates (WPI). Rated at 90+% pure protein, WPI is recognized as the highest quality whey ingredient. Nothing else compares, which is why ON uses WPI as the primary ingredient in Gold Standard 100% Whey and Platinum Hydrowhey where it is hydrolyzed for faster absorption.

Of course, all whey is not created equal and even the quality of highly refined ingredients like WPI can fluctuate. This makes acquiring the materials needed to produce ON whey proteins even more challenging. Because of ON’s strict quality controls, our manufacturing facility rejects a significant amount of WPI delivered each month. We buy only the best of the best, and these ingredients are becoming more expensive based on availability and demand.

No Compromising Quality

Optimum Nutrition was built on a commitment to quality that has withstood supply shortages and price increases for 25 years. Where other companies might be tempted to loosen their standards, that has never and will never happen at Optimum Nutrition. You know that ON products mix up effortlessly, taste exactly as expected and deliver exceptional purity, and we will continue to deliver on all of those expectations. You’re working hard to accomplish impressive goals, and we have your back for superior quality sports nutrition. It’s a promise you can depend on.