Gary BreckaHuman Biologist & Longevity Innovator

DON’T TRUST THE FRONT OF THE LABEL

22 Sept 2026 · 0 min

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0:27

In a brief on‑camera monologue filmed in the protein aisle of a Target store, Gary Brecka picks up a protein powder marketed as “pure protein” and reads the ingredient list on the back of the package. He calls out a series of artificial colorants (Yellow #6, Yellow #4, Blue #4, Blue #2, Yellow 40, Red 40), cellulose gum, cornstarch, and seed oils such as palm kernel oil, labeling the product a “no‑fly pure protein.” Brecka uses the example to warn viewers that front‑of‑package claims can be misleading, that many “clean‑looking” supplements hide synthetic dyes, thickeners, and unhealthy fats, and urges consumers to scrutinize ingredient lists rather than rely on marketing language.

So I'm just meandering through the protein aisle in Target, and there's a product here marketed as quote-unquote pure protein. I'm not going to tell you the brand because I don't like to diss on specific brands, but when I read the back of this label, it's got yellow dye number 6, cellulose gum, yellow dye number 4, blue dye number 4, blue dye number 2, yellow dye 40, red 40— red 40? I thought we outlawed that— cornstarch, and seed oils in the form of palm kernel oil. This is actually a no-fly pure protein.