Beyond Meat's Starmatter Protein Powder Earns Clean Label Purity Award

Beyond Meat's Starmatter protein powder has received the Clean Label Project Purity Award, recognizing its low contaminant levels and transparency. The plant-based protein powder, introduced last month, ranks in the top third of certified products for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers.

The Purity Award is a separate tier above standard Clean Label Project certification. Starmatter is one of more than 20 Beyond Meat products now holding certification from the organization. The company's work with the Clean Label Project began last year. Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat's founder, said the award validates the company's focus on quality ingredients.

What’s in Starmatter

Starmatter is a plant-based protein powder made from pea and fava bean with added probiotics, fibre, vitamins, and functional ingredients. The blend includes L-methionine, beta-glucan, soluble tapioca fibre, oat bran, extracts with polyphenols, plant sterols, biotin, adaptogenic mushrooms, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, natural flavours, and stevia leaf extract.

Each 37-gram scoop delivers 20 grams of protein and 5 grams of fibre. The product is designed to provide what Brown calls "the superpowers of plants." It belongs to Phytosphere, Beyond Meat's portfolio of powders, bars, beverages, and center-of-plate products, which also includes savory bars and a vegetable-based burger. The company is unsure how investors will respond to this expanded portfolio.

Consumer scrutiny of ingredients is high. Over seven in 10 Americans are trying to avoid ultra-processed foods. Thirty-eight percent define such foods by the presence of artificial additives, chemicals, dyes, or hard-to-pronounce ingredients.

Why clean label matters now

Consumer demand for transparency is a major market force. Eighty-two percent of US shoppers believe fewer artificial or unfamiliar ingredients mean a food is healthier. Sixty-nine percent check labels to avoid highly processed ingredients, and eighty percent prefer familiar ingredients over artificial additives.

This shift is reflected in product launches. More than a third of food and beverage launches in North America last year contained a clean-label claim. The top highlighted attribute was 'no additives or preservatives.'

Context: Heavy metal concerns in protein powders

Recent investigations have increased scrutiny on protein supplement safety. A Consumer Reports investigation in October 2025 found concerning lead levels in around two dozen widely sold protein powders. Plant-based powders showed particularly high averages of heavy metals.

Crops like peas, rice, and soy can absorb metals from soil. The Clean Label Project's testing specifically targets these hidden contaminants. Molly Hamilton of the Clean Label Project stated, "Consumers deserve to know what is in their products, including what may not appear on an ingredient label."

Beyond Meat’s broader clean-label track record

Beyond Meat has aggressively pursued third-party validation. The company previously secured Clean Label Project certification for its mycelium-based steak filet, fava bean mince, and Beyond Immerse line. The Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef IV were the first plant-based meats to earn this certification, launched initially at upscale grocer Erewhon.

In March 2026, the company said certification had been extended to more than 20 products. The list now includes Beyond Steak, Beyond Chicken Pieces, and three flavors of Beyond Immerse sparkling protein drink. The broader Phytosphere portfolio was launched in September, and the company now also operates as Beyond the Plant Protein Company.

Beyond Starmatter is sold through Beyond the Plant Protein Company's direct-to-consumer site.