KOS Organic Superfood Plant Protein Vanilla

Minimally processed whole-food ingredient.

Whole-seed plant ingredient providing omega-3 ALA, lignans, and fiber plus a small protein contribution. Less bioavailable than whey and not a primary protein driver.

Whole-seed plant protein adding amino acid diversity, polyphenols, and omega-3 ALA. Less bioavailable than whey and contributes only a small fraction of the total protein dose — a whole-food positive but not a primary protein driver.

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

USDA Organic natural cocoa providing polyphenol antioxidants. Cocoa is also a known cadmium accumulator.

Plant-derived prebiotic fiber that supports gut microbiome diversity.

Plant-derived (acacia tree sap) prebiotic fiber that supports gut microbiome diversity.

Unrefined sea salt — a minimally processed, natural source of sodium and essential trace minerals, and a legitimate whole-food seasoning. Treated as a positive ingredient.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Part of Natural Plant-based Fruit and Vegetable Blend. Whole-food micronutrient and polyphenol blend; small total dose but a positive over synthetic vitamin fortification.

Plant-derived zero-calorie sweetener; safer than synthetic sweeteners and pairs well with stevia to balance aftertaste.

Part of Digestive Enzyme Blend. Digestive enzymes that aid protein and carbohydrate digestion, reducing GI discomfort common with plant protein.

Part of Digestive Enzyme Blend. Digestive enzymes that aid protein and carbohydrate digestion, reducing GI discomfort common with plant protein.

Part of Digestive Enzyme Blend. Digestive enzymes that aid protein and carbohydrate digestion, reducing GI discomfort common with plant protein.

Part of Digestive Enzyme Blend. Digestive enzymes that aid protein and carbohydrate digestion, reducing GI discomfort common with plant protein.

Part of Digestive Enzyme Blend. Digestive enzymes that aid protein and carbohydrate digestion, reducing GI discomfort common with plant protein.

USDA Organic plant-based protein that's notably good for a legume but still less bioavailable than whey or other animal-source proteins, meaning more grams are needed to deliver the same usable amino acids for muscle protein synthesis. Naturally low in methionine, so it does not stand alone as a complete protein and is typically blended with rice. Organic certification controls pesticides and synthetic fertilizers but not soil-accumulated heavy metals — pea crops are well-documented lead and cadmium accumulators.

USDA Organic seed-based plant protein providing additional amino acid diversity in plant blends. Less bioavailable than whey and naturally low in lysine and threonine, so it does not match animal-source protein on a gram-for-gram basis. Pumpkin seeds are also a known cadmium accumulator from soil — a contributing factor to the cadmium detected here.

Less-refined sugar with a lower glycemic index than table sugar but still added sugar.

Plant-source-restricted natural flavor; somewhat better than unrestricted 'natural flavors' but specific composition still falls under FDA trade-secret rules.

Natural zero-calorie sweetener from the stevia leaf. No significant health concerns, but Scout treats all stevia forms as neutral — neither penalized nor counted as a beneficial ingredient.