Purity Test Results: Pure Protein
Allergy & Gluten
Composite test of Oats, Apple Cranberry Muesli, Cinnamon Twist Muesli, Pure Protein
Click here for tests for protein with best by dates through March 2024.
Why do we test for allergens and gluten?
ZEGO bars are made in a facility that does not process any of the top 14 allergens except coconut. We are careful to source our ingredients from trusted suppliers that do not have allergens in their facility.
We take allergen safety very seriously and know that, despite all these precautions, cross contact can still happen. That is why we test every batch for cross contact at the end of the production and post the results for you to see through the QR code on every ZEGO package. We are the ONLY company providing this extra level of information and transparency for consumers. We hope you email other allergy friendly companies you buy from and ask them to start doing the same.
How does ZEGO decide what allergens to test for?
We test for peanut, gluten/wheat, soy, and dairy because these are the most common allergens, and the tests are more reliable for our product. Ingredients and allergens do not have equal testing reliability, so we balance the need for safety with reliability and risk. For example, the almond test is not reliable for our products because our ingredients (sunflower, apple and pear) interfere with testing accuracy. Other tests for less common allergens require a negative sample, making them more expensive and less reliable at the lowest PPM levels that we are focused on. Because the risk is lower for these less common allergens, we do not test for those.
Explanation of Allergen Test Results
The lowest measurable amount for allergens is 2.5PPM, for gluten 5PPM. Amounts lower than those levels cannot be detected. All tests have a 95% confidence level and are performed by the Food Allergy Research and Resource Project (FARRP), based at the University of Nebraska. The U.S. FDA does not have definitions or threshold values for “allergy free” or for labeling requirements of cross contact.
What are the lowest levels of PPM that are known to cause a reaction?
It varies depending on the allergen and on the person. The FDA has determined the lowest level at which a reaction has been seen in clinical trials to be the following.
- Tree nuts: between 0.02-7.5 mg protein.
- Dairy: between 0.36-3.6 mg protein.
- Sesame: between 0.25-10 mg protein.
Glyphosate
Valid for All Protein with Best Buy Dates Through Mar. 2024.
Click here to view the lab report for our current batch of Plant Protein. (Protein powder has a long shelf life and should last up to 2 years past the Best By date.)
Why does ZEGO test for glyphosate?
We believe our customers have a right to know what is in their food, even if we are not required to list it on the label, and even if the chemical has not been proven to cause health problems yet. Though we cannot test for every chemical used in agriculture, glyphosate is the most common herbicide and testing for it can serve as a proxy for ensuring the ingredients we purchase truly are organic and/or non-GMO. We believe all companies should be testing periodically for glyphosate and try to minimize it in their products.
The lowest measurable amount for glyphosate is 0.01PPM, which is based on eating a kilogram of the product. Amounts lower than that level cannot be detected. We translate the lab result to be based on 3 servings per day, (28g X 3) an amount 2-3 times greater than the typical user would consume. Three servings per day would have any detectable amount of glyphosate. All tests are performed by AGQ Labs & Technological Services.
Chemicals
To view the entire report from 2021, click here with a list of the 400+ chemicals we tested.
Why does ZEGO test for 400+ Chemicals?
We believe our customers have a right to know what is in their food, even if we are not required to list it on the label, and even if the chemical has not been proven to cause health problems yet. Though we cannot test for every chemical used in agriculture, we are currently testing for the 400 most common chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides. Testing for these chemicals can serve as a proxy for ensuring the ingredients we purchase truly are organic and/or non-GMO. We believe all companies should be testing periodically for chemicals and try to minimize it in their products.
We conduct this test once per harvest and will update this page each time a new test is performed.
Lab & Test Information
The lowest measurable amount we can test for is 0.01PPM. Amounts lower than that level cannot be detected. All tests are performed by AGQ Labs & Technological Services.
Questions?
Still have questions? Please feel free to email us at info@zegosnacks.com with any questions you have.
Heavy Metals
Valid for All Protein with Best Buy Dates Through Mar. 2023:
Lead <0.01 PPM No Measurable Amount
Arsenic 0.184 PPM Below CA Prop 65 Limits per 28g Serving
Cadmium 0.1193 PPM Below CA Prop 65 Limit per 28g Serving
Mercury <0.01 PPM No Measurable Amount
Why does ZEGO test for heavy metals?
We believe our customers have a right to know what is in their food, even if we are not required to list it on the label. To see the test report for heavy metals, click here. Protein powder has a long shelf life. We have removed the name of our supplier from the documents. We believe all companies should be testing periodically for metals – even if they are naturally occurring as the consumer has the right to know.