Most of the things that come with the best sales record are present in the black market. Protein supplements are not at all different from them. There are various situations where we have encountered duplicate or fake whey protein powders primarily sold through the underground market. You are more prone to buy a duplicate protein supplement if you are living in developing countries where you have to import the products from countries like Canada and the USA. Consumption of duplicate whey protein supplements for a long time can include a negative impact on the body.
There is a huge probability that you have been using duplicate whey protein supplements for a long time with no knowledge about it. If you have started to use protein powders now, the chances are you are not aware of the fact of what they are and what they should look like. In this article, we will share some of the secret ways to identify whey protein from fake ones.
Ten Simple Tips | How to Identify Original Whey Protein
Texture
Every whey protein supplement comes with some texture which is impossible to know if you have never used this before. You will find irregularities in the fake protein powders that can vary from anything, like crushed chalk to vitamin powders. We will suggest buying a protein supplement with some unique flavors. Vanilla and chocolate flavors are very obviously the most common ones to tamper with.
Side Effects
Fake protein supplements include substitute or cheaper elements or ingredients. It can hurt the body. Thus, if you observe any bad effect on the body after the whey protein powder consumption, it is a definite sign of the fake protein powder. Some of the most often seen side effects of fake whey protein supplements are acne formation, hair fall, and different marks on the arms and back. If you are currently observing any of these signs, then stop using the protein supplement immediately.
Solubility
Original whey protein supplements are primarily for improving muscle mass. But in the case of duplicate ones, they implement the cheapest elements, making it hard to solute it in the water or any other liquid. Original whey protein is easily soluble in milk or water, and you can blend it online with a spoon. But for the fake ones, you will require hard shakers and a blender bottle to liquefy the powder in the water.
Taste
There will surely be a change in the taste whenever you tamper with its ingredients. It is one of the best ways to examine if the protein supplement is original or not. You can also confirm the taste by exchanging one spoon with any of your friends who is using the same product. The taste examination is enough to reveal if the product is original or not. Duplicate whey protein powders contain a pungent smell and a bad aftertaste in the mouth. You also need to check if the taste is the same throughout the end. If the taste alters after a few spoons of servings, then you are consuming a fake product.
Packaging
The packaging of the original supplement is another factor that differentiates between the original and the fake product. Fake protein powders contain substandard labels and jars for saving the cost. If you have already used the original product or have seen one, you can immediately tell the difference.
Barcodes
Most of the whey protein powder companies include barcodes on their containers. If your product is original, then also it will contain a barcode. You can scan this code and check for its authenticity on the website of the company. If it is not fake, the website will display all the information regarding its manufacturing date, packaging date, and ingredients. The duplicate product will not be able to scan the barcode.
Obesity
Fake whey powder protein will make you obese within a limited time frame. It is due to the two types of drugs that are present in the duplicate ones. The first is to enhance hunger, and the second is for water retention. If there is a water-retaining medicine inside the product, then your body will swell up and will make you a massive Weight Gainer within a month. It will not be the case for the original one.
Authorized Dealer
Most of the company’s manufacturing protein powder have their separate online stores. Thus if you want to buy an authentic whey protein powder, then these online stores or their website is the best. You can also verify the address and name of the authorized dealers on the company’s website. Make sure to check the inner portion of the lid, as the fake ones would consist of poor quality security.
FSSAI license and Registration number
Every original whey protein powder product consists of a registered FSSAI license number from the company on the packaging level. Fake companies are generally careless with the details and do not contain an FSSAI number. If there is no presence of an FSSAI number for the license and registration purpose, then the product is a fake one.
The difference in the Price
The original whey protein powder is always costly. Popular supplement brands invest a lot of money on the ingredients and the import duties. That is why it is no wonder expensive. The fake whey protein powder brands import cheap products and are thus less costly.
Final Words
So, these are some of the ways through which you can differentiate between the original and duplicate whey protein powder. Thus if you build a body with a muscle mass, you should always cross-check the above points and buy the original one only.

Whether you want to gain muscle sustainably, lose weight, or do both—Mirganshi is the person you reach out to! She has a B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics from Lovely Professional University (LPU) and certification from Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute (GGFI). She grew up and completed her schooling in Jaipur, Rajasthan back in the early 2000s. Currently, she helps hundreds of individuals in correcting their diets, lifestyle habits, and physical health.
She currently lives with her husband in Navi Mumbai, and they have been happily married since 2017. She is also a fitness freak herself and has completed several marathons like TATA Mumbai Marathon, Pinkathon, and more! In her free time, she likes to listen to music while writing her journal. Discipline is her best friend, and she ensures to impart this virtue in her clientele as well.
Due to her impeccable grip on body nutrition and well-being, Mirganshi understands precisely what is right for your body and recommends/reviews products she only truly has faith in. Mirganshi is also a champion for mental health advocacy and understands how keeping your brain fit and mind sane is an essential part of well-being.