Equip Foods is built for label readers: its Prime Protein can be as simple as beef, cocoa and stevia, it avoids gums and sugar alcohols, and the brand publishes third-party testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. It is a strong choice for people who struggle with whey, though it is obviously not for vegetarians.
What we like
- Grass-fed beef protein isolate with 20 to 21 g protein per serving
- Very short ingredient lists with no gums, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners
- Third-party testing for heavy metals, pesticides and microplastics
- Useful range beyond protein: colostrum, collagen, beef organs and kids' products
- Subscription discounts and 30-day returns
Keep in mind
- Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
- Some flavors use stevia, which not everyone likes
- Free shipping only kicks in at $90
- Beef protein has a different texture from whey
Equip Foods was built on a simple premise: supplements should look more like food. Its signature product, Prime Protein, is a protein powder made from grass-fed beef rather than whey or plants, aimed at people who find dairy hard to digest or who want to avoid the long ingredient lists common in mainstream protein tubs. The brand's foundation is closely associated with Dr. Anthony Gustin, a board-certified sports physician, and in 2025 it announced a significant investment from HighPost Capital.
We looked at what is in the core products, how the testing claims work, what things cost, and who is most likely to benefit from switching to a beef-based protein.
What makes Equip different
Most protein powders are built on whey or a blend of pea and rice protein, then flavored and thickened with gums, sweeteners and fillers. Equip goes the other way. Prime Protein uses grass-fed beef protein isolate, and some flavors have as few as three ingredients, for example beef protein, cocoa and stevia. The brand explicitly avoids gums, sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.
Beef protein provides a complete set of essential amino acids and naturally contains collagen and gelatin. Because it is dairy-free, it is often easier on people who get bloating or skin flare-ups from whey. Equip describes its manufacturing as relying on heat, water and time rather than harsh solvents, with sourcing mainly from the US and some from Sweden.
Testing and transparency
Contamination is a real concern in the protein category, and independent coverage, including Consumer Reports' work on lead in protein powders, has made shoppers more cautious. Equip responds by testing each batch of Prime Protein through an independent lab for heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, as well as pesticides, microplastics, BPA and BPS. Certificates of analysis are available, and the brand names Light Labs as a testing partner.
No formal third-party certification such as NSF Certified for Sport is listed, so athletes in drug-tested sports should check before buying. For everyday shoppers, though, published batch testing is a meaningful step beyond the vague purity claims many brands make.
See Equip Foods's current range
The range: what to buy and why
- Prime Protein ($63.99, about $2.13 per serving): 20 to 21 g of beef protein per scoop, in flavors such as Chocolate, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Roll, Strawberry, Iced Coffee and Unflavored.
- Prime Bar ($49.99, about $4.16 per bar): 20 g of grass-fed beef protein with collagen and colostrum, no seed oils.
- Core Colostrum ($47.99): a single-ingredient powder from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, processed at low temperatures to preserve immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Gummies are available from about $39.99.
- Grass-Fed Collagen ($43.99) and Grass-Fed Beef Organs ($46.99) for people who want those nutrients without cooking organ meat.
- Kids Protein Powder ($44.99, 10 g protein) and Kids Protein Bars ($34.99 for 12).
- Clean Carbs, a whole-food carbohydrate product for glycogen refuelling, and Clean Coffee ($24.99), an organic, fair-trade whole bean.
For most people, Prime Protein in Chocolate or Vanilla is the logical first purchase. Unflavored is the most versatile if you want to add protein to soups, oatmeal or baking.
Taste, texture and practical tips
Beef protein does not behave exactly like whey. It mixes thinner and has a slightly different mouthfeel, so many people prefer blending it with milk, banana or ice rather than shaking it with water. Flavored versions do not taste of beef, but stevia-sweetened flavors can be noticeable if you are sensitive to stevia; the unflavored version avoids sweeteners entirely.
Colostrum is derived from cow's milk, so although Prime Protein is dairy-free, colostrum products may not suit people with a true milk allergy. Check each label if you are avoiding dairy for medical reasons.
Pricing, shipping and returns
Equip is priced at the premium end of the protein market, reflecting grass-fed sourcing and batch testing. At about $2.13 per serving, Prime Protein costs more than a standard whey tub but sits in line with other high-end, minimal-ingredient powders. Subscriptions usually knock 15% off, and promotional subscription codes are common.
Shipping is free on orders of $90 or more, which is a fairly high bar for a single tub, so bundling two products or subscribing tends to make more sense. Returns are accepted within 30 days.
Who Equip is for, and who should skip it
Equip makes the most sense for a few specific groups:
- Whey-sensitive lifters and active adults who want a complete animal protein without dairy.
- Label readers who are tired of gums, sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners in their protein.
- Paleo, carnivore-leaning and ancestral eaters who prefer animal-based staples such as beef organs and colostrum.
- Parents looking for a kids' protein with a short label and published testing.
It is the wrong choice for vegetarians and vegans, and people on a tight budget will find better value in a large tub of standard whey or plant protein. Athletes who need a certified-for-sport product should also note that Equip relies on batch testing rather than a sport-specific certification.
If you are unsure whether beef protein will suit you, start with a single tub of Prime Protein or a box of Prime Bars before committing to a subscription. The 30-day return window gives you some room if the texture or taste does not work for you.
Our verdict
Equip Foods is one of the most convincing options for people who want animal protein without dairy, gums or artificial sweeteners, and its batch testing adds genuine reassurance. It is not the cheapest route to 20 g of protein, and it is not for plant-based eaters, who would be better served by brands such as Orgain or Ka'Chava. If whey has never agreed with you, Prime Protein is well worth trying.
Equip Foods products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Protein | Grass-fed beef protein isolate with about 20 g protein and no gums or sugar alcohols. | $63.99 |
| Prime Bar | A 20 g beef protein bar with collagen and colostrum and no seed oils. | $49.99 per box |
| Core Colostrum | Single-ingredient colostrum powder from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows. | $47.99 |
| Grass-Fed Collagen | Unflavored collagen peptides for mixing into coffee, smoothies or food. | $43.99 |
| Kids Protein Powder | A 10 g beef protein powder formulated for children. | $44.99 |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
Equip Foods FAQs
Is Equip Prime Protein dairy-free?
Yes. Prime Protein is made from grass-fed beef protein isolate and contains no whey or dairy. Colostrum products, however, are milk-derived.
Does Equip test for heavy metals?
Equip says each batch of Prime Protein is independently tested for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, as well as pesticides, microplastics, BPA and BPS, with certificates of analysis available.
Does beef protein taste like beef?
No. Flavored versions taste like their flavor, though the texture is a little thinner than whey. Unflavored is neutral enough for cooking.
What is Equip's return policy?
Equip offers 30-day returns. Free shipping applies to orders of $90 or more.
Who founded Equip Foods?
The brand's foundation is associated with Dr. Anthony Gustin, a board-certified sports physician.
Dairy-free and whey-sensitive eaters who want minimal-ingredient animal protein
Disclosure: InhouseHeal may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Our score is based on research of the brand's products, evidence, pricing and policies. How we review.
