Santa Cruz Paleo Protein Bar Vanilla
At a glance
Summary
Santa Cruz Paleo Protein Bar Vanilla scores 94/100. A whole-food protein bar with grass-fed whey isolate + grass-fed collagen delivering 20g protein. Beef tallow replaces seed oils as the fat source; almonds add magnesium, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fat. Wildflower honey is the sole sweetener and chicory root inulin provides prebiotic fiber. Real vanilla bean powder — not 'natural flavor.' Zero seed oils, zero gums, zero emulsifiers, zero soy. Independent third-party lab testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, June 11, 2026) confirms a clean heavy-metals profile — lead, cadmium, and mercury all below the lab's quantification limit; arsenic at a trace 0.007 ppm — a safe, trace level. Made in USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Contaminants 4
Source: Independent third-party laboratory testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, sample dated June 11, 2026)
Lead <0.004 ppm Not detected
Below the laboratory's quantification limit of 0.004 ppm (4 ppb) — no measurable amount found. No safe level of lead exists; this passes the strictest screen.
Independent third-party laboratory testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, sample dated June 11, 2026): lead below the quantification limit of 0.004 ppm.
Cadmium <0.004 ppm Not detected
Below the laboratory's quantification limit of 0.004 ppm — no measurable amount found.
Independent third-party laboratory testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, sample dated June 11, 2026): cadmium below the quantification limit of 0.004 ppm.
Mercury <0.004 ppm Not detected
Below the laboratory's quantification limit of 0.004 ppm — no measurable amount found.
Independent third-party laboratory testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, sample dated June 11, 2026): mercury below the quantification limit of 0.004 ppm.
Arsenic 0.007 ppm (7 ppb) Trace
A trace amount — roughly 0.42 µg in a 60 g bar. Below the 10 ppb trace threshold for arsenic and dramatically cleaner than typical plant proteins.
Independent third-party laboratory testing (Anresco Laboratories, ICP-MS, AOAC 2015.01, sample dated June 11, 2026): arsenic measured at a trace 0.007 ppm (7 ppb).
Key ingredients 8
Grass-Fed Whey Protein IsolateVery Good
Premium complete protein from grass-fed cows with excellent bioavailability and a full amino acid profile. Whey isolate is the purest commercial protein source with the lowest heavy-metal risk vs. plant proteins.
See more about Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate →Grass-Fed CollagenVery Good
Bovine collagen peptides; complementary amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) to whey. Documented joint, skin, and gut support.
See more about Grass-Fed Collagen →AlmondsVery Good
Whole-food fat source rich in magnesium, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats. Single-ingredient whole nut.
See more about Almonds →Wildflower HoneyVery Good
Natural unrefined sweetener with documented antimicrobial activity and trace micronutrients. The bar's sole sweetener — no refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
See more about Wildflower Honey →Beef TallowVery Good
Grass-fed animal fat rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K2, and CLA. Replaces seed oils entirely — one of the cleanest commercial fats available.
See more about Beef Tallow →Vanilla Bean PowderVery Good
Real ground vanilla bean (pod) — not synthetic vanillin or 'natural flavor.' Whole-food flavor source.
See more about Vanilla Bean Powder →Chicory Root InulinGood
Prebiotic soluble fiber; documented gut microbiome support and provides the bar's fiber. Whole-food carbohydrate.
See more about Chicory Root Inulin →SaltNeutral
Refined sodium chloride — neutral; total sodium is reflected in the product score.
See more about Salt →Processing
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