Ascent
After testing products from Leprino Foods Company, individually and dba Ascent Protein, we found two products that we allege to violate Proposition 65 regarding heavy metal contamination. Below is the timeline of events of the case between ERC and Ascent.
NOTICE I
On February 7, 2025, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Leprino Foods Company, individually and dba Ascent Protein.
In this action, ERC alleges that these specific products, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Ascent Protein, contain lead and cadmium, chemicals listed under Proposition 65 as reproductive toxins. They expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Ascent Plant Protein Plant-Powered Post-Workout Recovery Vanilla Bean Plant Protein Powder Blend - Lead
2. Ascent Plant Protein Plant-Powered Post-Workout Recovery Chocolate Plant Protein Powder Blend – Lead, Cadmium
NOTICE II
On February 19, 2025, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation of California Law Proposition 65, against Leprino Foods Company, individually and dba Ascent Protein.
In this action, ERC alleges that this specific product, manufactured, distributed, or sold by Ascent Protein, contain Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical listed under Proposition 65 as a developmental toxicity. They expose consumers to levels requiring a Proposition 65 warning.
The products under investigation are:
1. Ascent Plant Protein Plant-Powered Post-Workout Recovery Vanilla Bean Plant Protein Powder Blend - Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
SETTLEMENT
A settlement was reached on June 6, 2025. In full satisfaction of all potential civil penalties, additional settlement payments, attorney's fees, and costs, Leprino Foods Company, individually and dba Ascent Protein Leprino Performance Brands LLC, individually and dba Ascent Protein shall pay $42,500.00 in total.
Injunctive Relief:
Beginning October 1, 2025 (the “Compliance Date”), the Leprino Entities shall be permanently enjoined from manufacturing for sale in the State of California, “Distributing into the State of California,” or directly selling in the State of California, (1) any Lead Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Lead Exposure Level” of more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day and/or (2) any Cadmium Covered Product that exposes a person to a “Daily Cadmium Exposure Level” of more than 4.1 micrograms of cadmium per day and/or (3) any PFOA Covered Product that exposes a person to any amount of Perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) that can be reliably detected, all pursuant to the testing methodologies and level of quantification set forth in Section 3, unless such Covered Product meets the warning requirements under Section 3.2.
If you want to read the Ascent Protein settlement, click here.
