Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen)
hydrolyzed collagen, average molecular weight about 4 kDa (2-6 kDa)
CollagenIngredient formSources last checked: October 15, 2026
Medical & Industry Advisor: Dr. James Pendleton, ND
Answer
Collagen peptides is an ingredient form (hydrolyzed collagen, average molecular weight about 4 kDa (2-6 kDa)), sold on the open market with no trademark program. This page lists what to put on a spec sheet and how it is declared on the Supplement Facts label, how it compares with related forms, and what published market surveys measured, each with its source.
Access
- Access model
- Open market
What it is
- Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are collagen broken down into peptides that do not gel and dissolve in cold water. Health Canada's monograph puts their average molecular weight at about 4 kDa (2-6 kDa) and lists bovine hide and bone, porcine bone and skin, fish bone and skin, and chicken cartilage as source materials. [Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph]
Forms compared
How collagen peptides compares with related forms on a spec sheet and a label.
| Form | Declared on the label as | Content | Identity check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovine collagen peptides (hide or bone) | Collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, by weight per serving, with the source named | Hydroxyproline about 12.5% of bovine collagen (the literature value a 2024 method study used); Gly-Pro-Hyp 4.6%[Kržišnik et al., Marine Drugs 2024, 2026-10-15] | Hydroxyproline content; hide or bone stated, with the cattle's country of origin; 21 CFR 189.5 records for bone-derived material |
| Marine collagen peptides (fish skin) | Collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, by weight per serving, with the fish species declared (fish is a major food allergen) | Hydroxyproline 11.1% to 11.8% of marine collagen (2024 method study); Gly-Pro-Hyp 3.8%[Kržišnik et al., Marine Drugs 2024, 2026-10-15][FDA, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, 2026-10-15] | Gly-Pro-Hyp after collagenase digestion, which separated marine from land-animal collagen in that study; the fish species on the CoA |
| Porcine collagen peptides | Collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, by weight per serving, with the source named | Porcine bone or skin, a source material listed in Health Canada's monograph[Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph, 2026-10-15] | The source species stated on the CoA |
| Gelatin, for comparison | Gelatin | Collagen partially hydrolyzed from hides, connective tissue or bones (21 CFR 189.5 definition); it gels, where collagen peptides do not[21 CFR 189.5(a)(8), 2026-10-15][Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph, 2026-10-15] | Gelling and cold-water solubility: Health Canada defines hydrolyzed collagen as having no jelling power and dissolving in cold water |
| Undenatured (unhydrolyzed) type II collagen | Undenatured type II collagen, with the source named | A separate ingredient: Health Canada lists "Unhydrolyzed collagen type II" with cartilage as its source material[Health Canada Natural Health Products Ingredients Database, Unhydrolyzed collagen type II, 2026-10-15] | Whether the collagen is hydrolyzed or undenatured, and its type, stated on the spec |
On the Supplement Facts label
Collagen peptides have no Daily Value, so they are listed by weight per serving with a symbol, such as an asterisk, that refers to "Daily Value not established". Collagen made from fish skin is protein derived from fish, a major food allergen; FDA applies the allergen rule to ingredients used in dietary supplements, and for fish the rule calls for the species to be declared.[21 CFR 101.36(b)(3)(iii) and 101.36(b)(3)(iv), 2026-10-15][FDA, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, 2026-10-15][21 U.S.C. 321(qq) and 343(w), 2026-10-15]
Spec parameters buyers should demand
What to ask for on the certificate of analysis and spec sheet. Identity, quality, and regulatory parameters only. This is not advice about efficacy.
| Parameter | What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Source species and tissue | State the species and tissue on the spec: bovine hide or bone, porcine, or fish skin with the fish species. For bovine material, add the country where the cattle originated.[Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph][FDA, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens] | The source decides the allergen declaration for fish, whether federal cattle-material records apply for bovine, and which identity tests can confirm it. |
| Molecular weight | Ask for the average molecular weight and its distribution, with the method. Health Canada's monograph gives about 4 kDa (2-6 kDa) for hydrolyzed collagen.[Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph] | Molecular weight is how Health Canada's monograph defines hydrolyzed collagen, so the CoA figure and its method are part of the identity record. |
| Collagen content | Ask for collagen content measured through hydroxyproline, with the conversion factor used for your source.[Kržišnik et al., Marine Drugs 2024] | Hydroxyproline is about 12.5% of bovine collagen (the literature value a 2024 study used) and measured 11.1% to 11.8% of marine collagen in that study, so the factor depends on the source. |
| Marine or land origin | For marine collagen, ask whether the supplier tests origin, for example by measuring the Gly-Pro-Hyp tripeptide after collagenase digestion.[Kržišnik et al., Marine Drugs 2024] | In a 2024 study, bovine and marine collagen contained 4.6% and 3.8% Gly-Pro-Hyp, a difference the authors used to tell marine from land-animal collagen. |
| Cattle-material records | For bovine collagen, ask whether it is hide-derived or bone-derived. For bone-derived material, ask for the supplier's records under 21 CFR 189.5 showing it contains no prohibited cattle materials. For hide-derived material, a supplier statement of tissue and cattle origin is a reasonable request, not a federal records requirement.[21 CFR 189.5(a)(1) and 189.5(c)][FDA final rule, Recordkeeping Requirements for Human Food and Cosmetics Manufactured From, Processed With, or Otherwise Containing Material From Cattle, 71 FR 59653] | 21 CFR 189.5 requires records, kept for 2 years, from manufacturers of a human food that contains cattle material. Hides and hide-derived products are excluded from prohibited cattle materials, and FDA's 2006 recordkeeping rule states that it does not require records for hide-derived collagen. |
| Heavy metals | Request lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic results with the methods and the limits applied; for marine collagen, look at arsenic in particular.[Open Medicine 2025;20(1)] | In a 2025 survey of marine collagen supplements sold in Italy, arsenic was the most abundant element measured. |
QC and testing considerations
- Every dietary ingredient must pass at least one appropriate identity test before use unless FDA has granted a petition exemption (21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)). Run it on each incoming lot, not only at supplier qualification. [21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)]
- Undenatured type II collagen is a different ingredient from collagen peptides, so a spec that says only "collagen" does not say which one is wanted. [Health Canada Natural Health Products Ingredients Database, Unhydrolyzed collagen type II]
- Store hydrolyzed collagen protected from heat and moisture, as Health Canada's monograph states. [Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph]
Further reading: How to read a certificate of analysis and third-party supplement testing.
Published market surveys
Totals as each study reports them: what was measured, how many products, and the result. Methods and sampling differ between studies.
| Measured | Study | Market, products tested | Result | Funding or affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | Cammilleri et al., Open Medicine 2025 | Italy (marine collagen supplements bought online and in retail stores, 2022-2023), n=65 | Of 65 marine collagen brands examined, 4 stated the fish species on the label. | Independent |
Government statements, quoted
The average molecular weight of hydrolyzed collagen is approximately 4 kDa (i.e. 2-6 kDa) (Moskowitz 2000; Oesser et al. 1999).
Manufacturers and processors of a human food that is manufactured from, processed with, or otherwise contains, material from cattle must establish and maintain records sufficient to demonstrate that the food is not manufactured from, processed with, or does not otherwise contain, prohibited cattle materials.
Section 201(qq) of the FD&C Act defines a major food allergen as milk, egg, fish (e.g., bass, flounder, or cod), Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, or shrimp), tree nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, or walnuts), wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame and also as a food ingredient that contains protein derived from these foods.
Reference list
- Health Canada, Hydrolyzed Collagen monograph, Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (March 28, 2024) Government reference
- Health Canada Natural Health Products Ingredients Database: Unhydrolyzed collagen type II Government reference
- 21 CFR 189.5: prohibited cattle materials Regulatory
- FDA final rule, Recordkeeping Requirements for Human Food and Cosmetics Manufactured From, Processed With, or Otherwise Containing, Material From Cattle, 71 FR 59653 (October 11, 2006) Regulatory
- FDA, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling Requirements of the FD&C Act (Edition 5): Guidance for Industry, January 2025 Government reference
- 21 U.S.C. 321(qq) (major food allergen) and 343(w) (allergen labeling) Regulatory
- 21 CFR 101.36: Nutrition labeling of dietary supplements Regulatory
- 21 CFR 111.75: identity testing of dietary ingredients Regulatory
- Toxic metals and metalloids in collagen supplements of fish and jellyfish origin, Open Medicine 2025;20(1):20251141 Market survey
A reference list is not claim substantiation. Under the FTC's Health Products Compliance Guidance (December 2022), marketing claims about a finished product require competent and reliable scientific evidence, typically randomized, controlled human clinical testing. Responsibility for substantiating product claims rests with the brand.
Manufacturers with stated capability
No manufacturer has a listed capability for this ingredient yet. Listings are positive-only: an entry states a manufacturer can run the ingredient, never that one cannot.
Run this ingredient? Request inclusion.
Further reading
The decision framework behind this reference: five checkable criteria for choosing between a branded ingredient and its generic form.
What this page does not tell you
- Which supplier to buy from, pricing, minimum order volumes, or contract terms.
- Anything about efficacy. This is an identity, labeling, and quality reference.
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