Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is one of the bestselling protein supplements in India.
It’s used by fitness enthusiasts to increase muscle mass and boost recovery.
However, the Indian market is plagued with fake products which look similar to the original product but might contain low-quality or harmful ingredients.
In this article, we will provide 16 tricks on how to check if your ON Gold Standard Whey Protein is genuine or fake. So, if you want to protect yourself from fake products, then keep reading!
The easiest way to verify your ON Gold Standard 100% Whey jar is to simply scratch the Tru Seal sticker and send the 6-digit code as an SMS to 57575 or visit authenticateon.in (for more details please check Step #2). You can also refer to the authentication video uploaded by Optimum Nutrition for quick reference.
Step 1: Check Neck Band Seal
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars will have a black neckband seal with a golden hologram. This hologram will shine when exposed to light. It will have the company logo along with the following URL printed on it:
optimumnutrition.com/authentic
The interesting bit to note here is that the ON logo will have the registered trademark symbol ® attached to it.
If you notice any of the following signs, your jar might be fake:
- A loose and flimsy seal with visible cracks.
- A low-quality hologram that does not shine when exposed to light.
- The hologram appears like a sticker that has been pasted on the neck band seal.
Step 2: Check for ON Tru Seal
Every genuine ON Gold Standard Whey jar includes an ON Tru Seal Sticker. This sticker contains a hidden scratch code beneath the silver portion.
When the silver portion is exposed to light you’ll see the official ON logo along with the phrase “scratch here”. Once you scratch the silver portion you’ll get a secret code which can be verified by visiting here.
If this seal is missing on your jar or if the silver portion does not scratch then your jar is most likely fake.
Step 3: Check Jar Cap
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars will include a jar cap that will have an embossed print of the company logo along with the official URL i.e optimumnutrition.com.
If you use your index finger to feel the texture then you’ll notice that the embossed part has a smooth glossy finish.
When you open the jar cap you’ll notice a recycle triangle with the number 5 in it. This indicates the use of Polypropylene for manufacturing.
In case your jar’s cap does not have an embossed logo or if a sticker has been pasted on top of it then your jar is most likely fake.
Step 4: Check for ™, ®, and ‡ Symbols
ON is a registered trademark in India and will have the ™ or ® symbol attached to it whenever its printed on the jar.
The double dagger ‡ symbol is used to mark a footnote and it will be present on the spots shown in the above image.
If these symbols are not listed on your jar label, then it’s most likely fake.
Step 5: Check Label Design
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars now have a new label design. Its printed in high quality and the black region includes diagonal lines which have a slightly different texture. If you use your index finger to feel the label then you’ll feel the presence of those diagonal lines.
The red portion includes a shiny mirror finish that reflects light.
If the label on your protein jar has a low-quality print, then it’s most likely fake.
Step 6: Green Dot FSSAI
The FSSAI Green Dot is mandatory for vegetarian supplements and every original ON Gold Standard Whey jar will have it.
Always look for the green dot on your jar. If it doesn’t have one, then it’s most likely fake!
Please note that grey market imports will also have this feature missing and they have a high likelihood of being fake.
Step 7: Bar Code
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars come with a bar code that helps store employees to scan and enter the product in their inventory. This bar code can be scanned using any bar code scanner which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Upon scanning, it should show ON Gold Standard Whey 100% Whey as the result. In case there is a mismatch please try again with a different app.
Please note that this bar code will be printed on a slightly off-white background.
Take notice of the bar code on your protein jar. If it does not have one or if the bar code shows an invalid product when scanned with an app, then beware – it could be fake!
Step 8: Check Batch Number and Mfg Date
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars that are manufactured in India will have the manufacturing date printed with a black inkjet printer on which square background. Please note that the black inkjet print will be comprised of very fine small dots.
The packaging date and time will also be mentioned on the square box. Jars that are manufactured in India do not include the expiry date on the jar.
For batch number verification you can contact optimum nutrition via phone (011 – 49594959) or email (indiacustomercare@glanbia.com).
If the above information is missing from your jar then your jar is most likely fake.
Step 9: Check Nutrition Info, Font quality, and Spelling Mistakes
Please note that the nutrition facts of ON Gold Standard Whey jars manufactured in India might differ from the US Made jars. The total calorie value in 1 serving of Double Rich Chocolate is 117kcal in Indian-made jars. Also, there is no mention of calcium, iron, potassium, and dietary fiber on Indian-made jars.
If you take a closer look you’ll notice that INS 950 is mentioned instead of Acesulfame Potassium on the Indian jars.
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars include very premium fonts and will not have any spelling mistakes.
In case your jar does not have the above-mentioned features or has the phrase Nutrition Information instead of Nutrition Info then it’s most likely a grey market import or fake.
Average-looking fonts and spelling mistakes are dead giveaways that your jar is most likely fake.
Step 10: Check Flavor, Weight, and No of Servings
You can check this information by visiting the official website here.
Please note that on Indian-made jars KG is mentioned outside and lbs are mentioned on the inside of the brackets.
The flavor will be printed on a rectangular area and will have the associated color. Diagonal lines will be printed on the right-hand side of the rectangle.
Watch out for funny flavors, incorrect sizes, or an invalid number of servings on your jar because it’s most likely fake.
Step 11: Check for Informed Choice Logo
All original ON Gold Standard Whey jars will have the latest informed choice logo. They are certified as safe and free from banned substances by Informed Choice Labs.
Please note that the logo has changed and Indian-made jars will have the latest logo printed on their label.
You can tell if your jar is legit or not by looking for this logo. If it’s missing or has an older version printed on it then there’s a good chance you’ve either received a grey market product or a fake one.
Step 12: Check Manufacturers Address and FSSAI Number
Currently ON Gold Standard Whey is officially manufactured in India by Tirupati Wellness Pvt Ltd. Indian-made jars will have the FSSAI number printed on them as shown in the above image.
Fake ON Gold Standard Whey jars won’t have this info since pirates usually try to copy US-made jars.
Step 13: Check The Base
All Original ON Gold Standard Whey jars will have a mold mark at the base, which is caused due to the plastic thermoforming process.
A recycle triangle with the digit 2 printed inside it will be present at the base. The phrase HDPE (High-density polyethylene) will be mentioned at the bottom of this triangle.
The base will also include two circular indentation marks.
If your jar does not have the above features, then it’s most likely fake.
Step 14: Check Overall Packaging Quality
Original ON Gold Standard Whey jar will have a very premium build. The jar surface will shine when exposed to light.
Fake On Gold Standard Whey jars will usually have a cheap and dull finish.
Step 15: Check Inner Seal/Cardboard Vaccum Barrier (Induction Wad)
Every ON Gold Standard 100% Whey jar has an induction wad, either stuck under the cap or glued on the top of the tub.
The purpose of this induction wad is to preserve this whey protein powder and prevent contamination or leakage.
If your jar does not include an induction wad, then it’s most likely fake.
Step 16: Check Scoop
Recently Optimum Nutrition announced that they will be switching from a golden scoop to a transparent one.
This transparent scoop will have a recycle triangle with the digit 5 inside it. The phrase “Made in India” and the following URL will also be mentioned on the plastic scoop:
www.plasticscoop.net
If you find your jar doesn’t include a plastic scoop or has a golden one then beware! It could be fake.
Fake ON Gold Standard Whey Jar
Now that we’ve discussed all of this, let’s take a look at a fake ON Gold Standard Whey jar.
You can tell it’s a fake jar due to the following reasons:
- A huge gap has been used between the company logo and the text Gold Standard 100% Whey.
- Tru Seal Authentication Sticker is missing.
- FSSAI Green Dot is nowhere to be found.
- 5 LB is mentioned on the outside with the phrase “LB” in caps.
- The Bright sticker is fake and either it won’t scratch properly or it won’t verify online. ON Gold Standard 100% Whey is manufactured in India and it does not require an importer tag.
- The old informed choice logo is printed on the jar.
- The bottom portion includes mfg and expiry details which are completely false. These details have been printed with low-quality blue ink.
- The shelf life is 3yrs instead of 2yrs.
- Excessive spacing has been used and a “/” symbol has been added right after the phrase MFD.
- Also, the manufacturing and expiry months are different.
Pirates don’t understand the concept of induction wad, and fake ON Gold Standard whey jars usually don’t have any mechanism to keep the powder in place. This results in massive spillage when you open the neck band seal.
Comparison Summary
Here is a quick summary of the differences between an original and a fake ON Gold Standard whey protein jar.
- Tru Seal authentication sticker for online verification.
- FSSAI Green Dot indicates the product is vegetarian.
- Has proper fonts and styling.
- Since it's manufactured in India so no importer tag.
- Shelf life is 2yrs.
- Includes a proper vacuum barrier to prevent powder leakage.
- Tru Seal authentication sticker is missing.
- FSSAI Green Dot is absent.
- Has issues with fonts and styling.
- Includes a fake Bright Commodities importer tag.
- Incorrect shelf life of 3yrs.
- Uses a fake vacuum barrier which causes the powder to spill.
How can I check if my dealer is offering a genuine product?
- Check to see if your dealer is offering a price that is significantly lower than the market price. If so, then that could mean that they are either selling a grey market product or a fake one. The current price of ON Gold Standard 100% Whey ranges between 6000-7500INR in the local market. Please note that market price may vary depending on location and market conditions.
- Check if your dealer is providing a GST Bill. In case he is making excuses or asking for 18% extra payment for a bill, then it’s quite possible that they are either selling a grey market product or a fake one. You can check their GST Number here.
- Check if your dealer has a proper FSSAI Number. In case they don’t have one then most probably they are either selling a grey market product or a fake one. You can verify their FSSAI Number here.
- Check if they have a dealer certificate or if they are buying from a distributor who has been authorized by Optimum Nutrition.
Where can I buy genuine ON Gold Standard 100% Whey?
You can purchase it from any authorized shop or online retailer. You can check the official list of retailers here. Please note that not all sellers will be included in the list. In case you can’t find your seller in this list, then you can refer to the above steps to verify your jar.
You can also place an order with us if you’re looking for a worry-free and smooth buying experience.
YOUR PRICE: ₹6497
(Incl. 20% Discount On MRP)
Each serving of ON Gold Standard whey protein powder provides 24 grams of high-quality whey protein primarily from Whey Protein Isolate, which has had excess carbohydrates, fat, and lactose ‘isolated’ out using sophisticated filtering technologies. The powder is also instantized for easy mixing using just a glass and spoon.
What you'll get when you order from us:
- GST Bill & Official Importer's Warranty
- Double Moneyback Guarantee (If your product doesn't verify online)
- PAN India Doorstep Delivery (Same-day in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai regions)
If you’re buying from Amazon, then please shop only from the following sellers:
- Cloudtail India
- R K WORLDINFOCOM P LTD
- Touchstone Retail
The above-mentioned sellers have been authorized by Optimum Nutrition.
Kindly note that when you shop from our Amazon link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Your purchase helps us keep the blog alive and encourages us to post more useful articles in the future.
Disclaimer
Please note that the above info is for informational purposes only. You can visit Optimum Nutrition’s official support page for more info.
The company changes its packaging from time to time. Manufacturers can change as well.
In case of any discrepancies, please contact:
011 – 49594959
If you’re feeling confused, you can always Contact Us with your jar images and we will check them for FREE.
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