Basic Supplements Proves Their Quality: Lab Test Results Reveal High Manufacturing Standards

Basic Supplements is raising the bar for transparency in the supplement industry. They just released comprehensive Dyad Labs test results showing their products not only meet but often exceed label claims.

In an industry where proprietary blends and buzzwords often mask what’s actually in the bottle, Basic Supplements continues to raise the bar for transparency. After covering their mission to get back to basics and provide simple, reliable formulas, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Marc Curcio and Laura Valley on Episode #156 of the PricePlow Podcast to learn about their vision for the brand.

But Basic isn’t just talking about transparency – they’re proving it. Today, we’re sharing something rarely seen in the supplement industry: actual third-party lab test results from their manufacturer, Nutrablend Foods. Nutrablend was introduced when we recently had the opportunity to speak with CEO Jack Sehgal and Chuck Zhang about their manufacturing excellence on Episode #160.

Basic Puts their Money — and Lab Tests — Where Their Mouth Is

These lab tests, conducted by the respected Dyad Labs, verify not only the protein content of Basic’s protein powders but also the active ingredients in their pre-workout and amino acid supplements. Additionally, they demonstrate that all products test well below acceptable limits for heavy metals – something many brands test for but rarely share publicly.

Basic Supplements Promises something simple: To get back to the basics

In this article, we’ll break down these test results product by product, explaining what they mean and why they matter. We’ll also explore how Basic’s commitment to transparency through both their ingredient sourcing (remember, they use Glanbia protein!) and third-party testing sets a new standard for the industry.

But first, make sure you’re signed up for our Basic Supplements news and deal alerts to stay informed about their latest developments and best prices:

Now let’s dive into why third-party testing matters and what these results reveal about Basic’s commitment to quality…

The Importance of Third-Party Testing

Basic Supplements has launched their first supplement, Basic Whey, and beyond some fun new flavors, they’re doing things different by disclosing the Glanbia proteins used inside, where their products are manufactured (Nutrablend Foods in Buffalo, NY), and showing the total protein percentage by weight on the front of each tub!

In the dietary supplement industry, the saying “trust but verify” has never been more relevant. While many brands claim to have high-quality products, third-party testing provides concrete evidence to support these claims. Unfortunately, most consumers never get to see these test results – which is what makes Basic Supplements’ transparency so refreshing.

When we uncovered the creatine gummy scandal with NOW Foods, it showed how important third party testing truly is. Remember, lab testing is actually legally required per the United States Code of Federal Regulations!^[1]

• Understanding Supplement Testing

  Third-party testing means having an independent, unbiased laboratory analyze your products – in this case, Dyad Labs, an ISO 17025-accredited testing facility. This accreditation is crucial because it means the lab has demonstrated technical competence and can produce precise, accurate test data.

  For Basic Supplements, these tests verify several critical aspects of their products:

  • Heavy metals testing for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury
  • Protein content verification using the industry-standard Dumas method
  • Active ingredient verification for compounds like citrulline and leucine
  • Moisture content analysis, which affects shelf stability

  What’s notable about Basic’s approach is that they’re testing multiple batches across different flavors. This demonstrates consistency in their manufacturing process – something that’s not always a given in the supplement industry.

• Why These Tests Matter

  Consider this: when you buy a protein powder claiming 25 grams of protein per serving, how do you know you’re actually getting that amount? In an industry where protein spiking (artificially inflating protein content with cheaper amino acids) has been a historical concern, third-party verification provides peace of mind.

  

  Basic Supplements Basic Pre brings just what’s needed for focus, energy, and pumps, with 200mg caffeine and 3g citrulline per scoop — and it’s affordable with no tingles!

  The heavy metals testing is equally important. Supplements can potentially concentrate heavy metals from raw materials, which is why responsible manufacturers like Nutrablend Foods regularly test for these contaminants. Basic’s results consistently show levels well below the acceptable limits, demonstrating their commitment to product safety.

  For pre-workout supplements and amino acid products, verification of active ingredients ensures you’re getting exactly what’s on the label. When Basic claims 3 grams of citrulline in their PRE workout, these tests confirm that amount is actually present in the finished product – with a bit of ‘overage’ to boot.

  This level of transparency isn’t just about proving quality – it’s about setting a new standard for accountability in the supplement industry. By sharing these results publicly, Basic Supplements is demonstrating that they have nothing to hide and everything to prove, giving consumers the data they need to make informed decisions about their supplements.

  Let’s look at exactly what these test results reveal about each of Basic’s products:

Basic Supplements’ Test Results Overview

Looking across all of Basic Supplements’ submitted lab tests from Dyad Labs, we see comprehensive analyses that cover every major product in their line. Each test report provides detailed information about heavy metals content, active ingredients, and overall product composition. Let’s break down what these results tell us:

• Heavy Metals: Well Below Limits

  

  Basic Isolate uses Glanbia Nutritionals’ Provon WPI, offering unmatched transparency and quality. Pure protein, no gimmicks — just what you need for peak performance.

  First, every single product tested showed heavy metal levels far below FDA and industry-acceptable limits. For context, the tests screened for four major heavy metals of concern: arsenic (<10 μg/serving), cadmium (<5 μg/serving), lead (<10 μg/serving), and mercury (<2 μg/serving). Basic’s products consistently tested at a fraction of these limits, with many results coming in below detectable levels.

  When it comes to protein content verification, Basic’s claims match reality. Their whey protein products were analyzed using the Dumas combustion method,^[2] an industry-accepted nitrogen protein test methodology. The results show protein content consistently meeting or slightly exceeding label claims. For instance, their whey protein products demonstrated protein content between 71-75% by weight (on a dried basis), aligning perfectly with what’s stated on their labels.

• Citrulline Overage in the Pre-Workout!

  Active ingredient verification tells an equally impressive story. Their pre-workout supplement, Basic PRE, was tested for key ingredients like citrulline and creatine monohydrate. The Miami Vice flavor, for example, showed 3,350mg of citrulline per serving – actually exceeding their label claim of 3,000mg. This type of “overage” is common in quality supplements to ensure full label claims are met throughout the product’s shelf life.

  Their BCAA supplements also demonstrated excellent compliance with label claims. Testing revealed leucine levels meeting or exceeding the stated amounts, which is crucial since leucine is the primary branched-chain amino acid responsible for triggering muscle protein synthesis.

  Note the consistency across different flavors and batches. For example:

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs demonstrating protein content and heavy metal testing for Basic Supplements Blue Marshmallow Whey, October 2024.

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs showing heavy metal test results and protein content verification for Basic Supplements Blue Marshmallow Whey, December 2024.

  These two different batches of Blue Marshmallow Whey show remarkably consistent protein content, demonstrating reliable manufacturing processes at Nutrablend Foods.

  Perhaps most impressively, Basic Supplements isn’t cherry-picking their best results – they’re sharing comprehensive test data across their entire product line, showing a level of transparency that’s unfortunately rare in the supplement industry.

Product-Specific Analysis

Let’s dive deeper into the specific results for each product category:

• Product-Specific Analysis: Basic Whey

  The lab test results for Basic Whey provide compelling evidence of consistent quality across multiple batches and flavors. Looking first at protein content, we see their whey protein products consistently delivering between 71-75% protein by weight on a dried basis – right where a premium whey protein concentrate/isolate blend should be. These are also the numbers put on the front of the tubs — something discussed in the podcast with Marc and Laura.

  To understand this in practical terms, let’s examine what this means for consumers: When you see “25g protein per serving” on Basic’s label, these tests verify you’re actually getting that amount. This is important because protein is the most expensive component in these products, and some less scrupulous brands have historically used cheaper fillers and/or amino acids to inflate their protein numbers.

  Multiple batches of their Blue Marshmallow flavor were tested months apart, with nearly identical results:

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs demonstrating protein content and heavy metal testing for Basic Supplements’ Blue Marshmallow Whey, October 2024.

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs showing heavy metal test results and protein content verification for Basic Supplements’ Blue Marshmallow Whey, December 2024.

  This consistency across batches demonstrates excellent quality control at Nutrablend Foods’ manufacturing facility. It’s one thing to produce a good batch once – it’s another to maintain that quality over multiple production runs.

  Heavy metals testing revealed impressively low levels across all Basic Whey flavors. For example, their Vanilla flavor showed:

  • Arsenic: <0.265 μg per serving (limit: 10 μg)
  • Cadmium: <0.265 μg per serving (limit: 5 μg)
  • Lead: 0.334 μg per serving (limit: 10 μg)
  • Mercury: <0.265 μg per serving (limit: 2 μg)

  These results aren’t just under the limits – they’re well below them, reflecting both high-quality raw materials from Glanbia Nutritionals and careful manufacturing processes at Nutrablend Foods.

  The moisture content analysis, showing around 4-4.5% across batches, indicates proper manufacturing and packaging procedures that help ensure product stability and shelf life. This technical detail might seem minor, but proper moisture control is crucial for preventing protein degradation and maintaining product quality over time.

• Product-Specific Analysis: Basic PRE

  The lab test results for Basic PRE reveal something impressive about Basic Supplements’ commitment to quality – they’re actually providing more active ingredients than claimed on the label. This kind of “overage” is a sign of quality manufacturing, as it ensures full dosing throughout the product’s shelf life. Even if citrulline were to degrade over time, you’d still have enough to the expiration date.

  Most notably, the citrulline content testing showed remarkable results across multiple flavors:

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs showing heavy metal testing and active ingredient verification for Basic Supplements’ PRE Miami Vice, December 2024.

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs confirming heavy metal and citrulline content testing for Basic Supplements’ PRE Ice Pop, November 2024.

  The Miami Vice flavor, for instance, contained 3,350mg of citrulline per serving – significantly exceeding the label claim of 3,000mg. The Ice Pop flavor showed similar results with 3,440mg per serving. This consistency across flavors demonstrates reliable manufacturing processes and proper ingredient distribution throughout the mixing process.

  For creatine monohydrate, the lab results showed 1,430mg per serving against a minimum specification of 1,500mg. While slightly below the target, this is still within acceptable manufacturing variance ranges.

  The heavy metals testing for Basic PRE was equally impressive, with results showing:

  • Arsenic: 0.0607 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Cadmium: <0.0279 μg/serving (<5 μg limit)
  • Lead: 0.354 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Mercury: <0.0279 μg/serving (<2 μg limit)

  These low metal levels are important in a pre-workout supplement that users may take daily. The results demonstrate both quality ingredient sourcing and careful manufacturing controls at Nutrablend Foods.

  Noteworthy about these results is the consistency across different flavors and batches, suggesting robust quality control processes throughout the manufacturing pipeline.

• Product-Specific Analysis: Basic Isolate

  The lab test results for Basic Isolate demonstrate why Basic Supplements chose to partner with Glanbia Nutritionals for their premium isolate protein. Using Glanbia’s Provon Whey Protein Isolate, the test data reveals exceptional purity and consistency.

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs showing analytical test results for Basic Supplements’ Isolate Salted Caramel Cold Brew protein product, dated December 6, 2024, including heavy metals testing and protein content verification.

  Examining the protein content verification, each 31.5g serving of Salted Caramel Cold Brew flavor delivers 25.7g of protein – aligning perfectly with label claims. On a dried basis, the protein content reaches an impressive 27.0g. This higher protein-by-weight ratio compared to their standard whey product reflects the additional filtration and purification processes used to create whey protein isolate.

  Heavy metals testing revealed exceptionally clean results, with all measurements falling below the most stringent industry standards:

  • Arsenic: <0.0948 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Cadmium: <0.0948 μg/serving (<5 μg limit)
  • Lead: <0.0948 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Mercury: <0.0948 μg/serving (<2 μg limit)

  The moisture content analysis showed 4.86% moisture content – an ideal range for whey isolate powders. This optimal moisture level helps prevent protein degradation while ensuring proper mixing and texture. Proper moisture control is especially important for isolates, as their higher protein concentration can make them more sensitive to environmental conditions.

  These results validate Basic Supplements’ decision to use Provon WPI and highlight Nutrablend Foods’ manufacturing expertise. The combination of premium raw materials and precise manufacturing controls results in a product that delivers exactly what consumers expect from a high-end isolate protein powder.

• Product-Specific Analysis: Basic BCAA

  The lab test results for Basic BCAA reveal that like their other products, this formula delivers on its promises. In particular, the leucine testing is noteworthy since leucine is the key branched-chain amino acid responsible for triggering muscle protein synthesis.

  

  Certificate of Analysis from Dyad Labs dated November 7, 2024, showing heavy metals testing and leucine content verification for Basic Supplements’ BCAA Blueberry Lemonade product.

  Looking at the Blueberry Lemonade flavor test results, we see the product contains 3,710mg of leucine per serving, exceeding the minimum specification of 3,500mg. This overage, similar to what we saw with citrulline in Basic PRE, demonstrates Basic Supplements’ (and Nutrablend Foods’) commitment to ensuring full dosing throughout the product’s shelf life.

  Heavy metals testing for the BCAA formula showed remarkably clean results:

  • Arsenic: 0.0995 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Cadmium: <0.0319 μg/serving (<5 μg limit)
  • Lead: 0.0753 μg/serving (<10 μg limit)
  • Mercury: <0.0319 μg/serving (<2 μg limit)

  These results continue the pattern we’ve seen across Basic’s entire product line – heavy metal levels well below acceptable limits, indicating both quality ingredient sourcing and careful manufacturing controls at Nutrablend Foods.

  While we have slightly less test data for the BCAA product compared to Basic’s protein powders and pre-workout, the results paint a picture of consistent quality control and attention to detail in manufacturing. The leucine overages suggest that consumers are getting full value from this amino acid supplement, which is important given leucine’s role as the primary trigger for muscle protein synthesis.

Manufacturing Excellence: Nutrablend Foods

Join Jack Sehgal, CEO of Nutrablend Foods, and Chinese supplement business expert Chuck Zhang, diving deep into supplement manufacturing excellence, supply chain management, and the evolving Chinese market on Episode #160 of the PricePlow Podcast.

As we discovered when speaking with CEO Jack Sehgal on Episode #160 of the PricePlow Podcast, NutraBlend Foods represents a different approach to supplement manufacturing. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, they’ve deliberately focused on being excellent at specific types of manufacturing – particularly large runs of protein powders and other powder-based supplements.

What makes this interesting is that NutraBlend Foods actually reduced their customer base from 40 to around a dozen companies, choosing to work with fewer brands but at a deeper level. This selective approach allows them to maintain stricter quality controls and develop stronger partnerships with companies like Basic Supplements that share their commitment to quality.

The Buffalo, NY facility specializes in large powder runs, which is ideal for products like Basic Whey and Basic Isolate. This specialization matters because different types of supplements require different manufacturing expertise and equipment. By focusing specifically on powders, NutraBlend Foods has developed deep expertise in areas like:

• Proper blending techniques for consistent ingredient distribution
• Moisture control during manufacturing
• Prevention of cross-contamination between batches
• Optimal storage conditions for raw materials

Their approach to quality control goes beyond just testing finished products. The lab results we’ve examined demonstrate a comprehensive testing protocol that includes:

In fall of 2024, Mike and Ben flew to Buffalo, NY to Nutrablend Foods, manufacturer for the new upstart brand, Basic Supplements. They interview Marc Curcio and Laura Valley for Episode #156, discussing how they’re simplifying the supplement industry with high-quality, essential products that are both affordable and transparent.

• Raw material verification before manufacturing
• In-process testing during production
• Finished product testing for both active ingredients and contaminants
• Batch-to-batch consistency verification

What sets NutraBlend Foods apart from many contract manufacturers is their willingness to be transparent about their processes. Many brands hide their manufacturer’s identity, but Basic Supplements proudly partners with NutraBlend Foods and even invited us to tour their facility. This level of openness is rare in the supplement industry, where manufacturing details are often treated as closely guarded secrets.

Basic Supplements and NutraBlend Foods both represent a new standard in the industry. Instead of hiding behind proprietary blends and anonymous manufacturing, both companies are showing that quality and transparency can go hand in hand. The consistent lab results across multiple batches and products validate this approach, demonstrating that when brands and manufacturers work openly together, consumers ultimately benefit.

Conclusion: A New Level in Transparency

Basic Supplements has demonstrated that “getting back to basics“ doesn’t mean compromising on quality or transparency. By sharing comprehensive third-party lab test results across their introductory product line, they’ve set a new standard for accountability in the supplement industry. These results reveal not just compliance with label claims, but often exceed them – from citrulline overages in their pre-workout to consistent protein content across multiple batches of whey protein.

What makes this transparency so meaningful is the context: Basic Supplements isn’t just showing us what’s in their products – they’re showing us who makes them (NutraBlend Foods), where they’re made (Buffalo, NY), and whose ingredients they’re using (like Glanbia’s premium proteins). This level of openness, combined with verifiable test results, creates a complete picture of quality that consumers rarely get to see in the supplement industry.

While many brands claim to offer “premium” products, Basic Supplements backs up their claims with data. The consistently low heavy metal levels, precise active ingredient dosing, and batch-to-batch consistency demonstrated in these lab tests validate their approach of focusing on core ingredients at effective doses, manufactured to exacting standards.

Whether you’re looking at their whey protein, pre-workout, BCAA, or whey isolate products, the story remains the same: what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle – and often more. For consumers tired of marketing hype and proprietary blends, Basic Supplements offers something refreshingly different: honest products with proven quality.

You can find great deals on all Basic Supplements products below, and don’t forget to sign up for Basic Supplements news alerts to stay updated on their latest developments: