A proprietary blend is a mix of ingredients listed on a supplement label under one combined weight, without telling you how much of each ingredient is inside. It sounds exclusive, but it means you're left guessing. You might be getting a meaningful dose of the ingredient you bought it for, or barely a sprinkle. Here's how proprietary blends work, why they're a red flag, and how to protect yourself.
What is a proprietary blend?
Under FDA labeling rules, a supplement can group ingredients into a "proprietary blend" and list only the blend's name, its ingredients and the blend's total weight per serving (FDA labeling guide). The ingredients are listed in order from most to least by weight, but the actual amount of each one stays hidden.
For example, a label might say "Focus Blend, 2,000mg: lion's mane, cordyceps, L-theanine, Alpha-GPC." That blend could be 1,950mg of the cheapest ingredient and a few milligrams of the rest, and the label would still be legal.
Why proprietary blends are a problem
- Ineffective doses: without exact amounts, you can't tell whether an ingredient is present at a meaningful level or just "fairy dusted" so it can appear on the label.
- Hidden ingredients and overconsumption: you can't track how much you're getting of anything, which makes it easy to double up on stimulants or other ingredients across products.
- Medication interactions: if you take medication, you and your doctor can't judge an ingredient whose dose you don't know.
- You can't compare value: two products with the same ingredients could be completely different underneath.
Are proprietary blends regulated?
Only lightly. As long as the blend's total weight and ingredient order are listed, individual amounts don't have to be disclosed. Some companies say they use blends to protect their formulas from copycats, but in practice, it mainly protects the company, not the customer.
How to protect yourself
- Look for "Proprietary Blend," "Matrix," "Complex" or "Formula" on the Supplement Facts panel, followed by one total weight.
- Choose products that list every ingredient with its own amount.
- Check the doses against what research and tradition suggest.
- Ask for testing: transparent brands share lab reports.
Our promise: no proprietary blends, ever
I can guarantee that Kaizen will never sell a product that hides behind a proprietary blend. We believe in full transparency, and in bringing you the highest-quality product we can make. Here's exactly what's in our products:
Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend, per scoop: organic instant Arabica coffee 5.5g · organic Irish sea moss 1g · Alpha-GPC (50%) 250mg · L-theanine 150mg · organic ginkgo 100mg · cordyceps (8:1 fruiting-body extract) 93.75mg · tremella, chaga and lion's mane (8:1 fruiting-body extracts) 62.5mg each · organic cacao · about 90mg of caffeine.
Premium Electrolyte Mix, per stick: sodium 1,000mg (Himalayan rock salt) · potassium 800mg · magnesium 100mg (glycinate) · calcium 36mg · phosphorus 20mg · taurine 1g · organic Irish sea moss 250mg.
Every batch of both is third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, glyphosate and heavy metals.
Shop the Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend → · Shop the Premium Electrolyte Mix →
Frequently asked questions
What is a proprietary blend?
A group of ingredients listed under one total weight, without the amount of each ingredient.
Are proprietary blends bad?
Not always dangerous, but they hide whether you're getting a meaningful dose. Transparent labels are better.
Why do companies use proprietary blends?
They often say it protects their formula, but it also lets them use small amounts of expensive ingredients.
Are proprietary blends legal?
Yes. FDA rules require only the blend's total weight and ingredients in order of weight.
Does Kaizen use proprietary blends?
Never. Every ingredient and its exact amount is on our labels.