Since launching Huel v2.2, some people have commented that this version is lumpier than previous versions. We wanted to investigate these complaints carefully and be confident of the reasons. We changed the source of calcium in v2.2 to calcium citrate and we have identified that this was reacting with the gum blend and causing clumping. To minimise the formation of lumps we have now changed the calcium source to calcium carbonate, a substance that is also used in the food industry as an anti-caking agent. This, coupled with a tweak to the gum blend, has minimised the amount of lumps in Huel.
In addition to this small ingredient change, there are changes to the values of some of the minerals, most notably iron and zinc. The reason for these value changes is we are now using more robust data. I have also written the following articles to explain why the amounts of both trace elements in Huel are optimal: Iron; Zinc.
We are continuing to call this version v2.2 as there is not a significant change in ingredients to warrant a version change. You can read about the Huel version history here.
Vanilla Huel and Unflavoured Unsweetened Huel v2.2 with these changes are available now. Gluten-free versions with these tweaks will be available later this week.
So, the shipment I’m receiving today, will it be the new formula? Since it’s 112 meals, it kind of matters to me. (I’m in Sweden, so I fear that it was shipped late last week?)
Any chance I could get a refund or send my current lumpy version 2.2 back? I have 2 or 3 unopened bags. Big reason for not using Huel anymore is the lumps for me.
Any order placed after 3pm yesterday will be this new version. You will be able to confirm too by checking the ingredients on the back of the pouch to see if it contains ‘Calcium Carbonate’ in the Vitamin and Mineral blend. Hope this helps!
Oh, that’s interesting! I usually use a blender so it’s not been a problem, but a few weekends ago I went camping and took some Huel and the shaker bottle. It was a complete mare to shake even though I used my previously lump-free shaking technique. Glad my next camping trip won’t have the same problem! Good news.
Iron per 100g was previously listed as 13.9. Now it is listed as 7.9.
Zinc per 100g was previously listed as 2.5. Now it is listed as 4.0.
So, the previously inaccurate figures weren’t just slightly inaccurate – they were wildly inaccurate by almost a factor of 2.
How can anything on the label be trusted? Anything on the label could be half as much as specified or double as much as specified, based on the robustness of your data up until now.
Many food manufacturers use the nutritional information from their ingredient suppliers to calculate the amount of nutrients in their final product; we have gone above and beyond this and analysed the nutritional composition for each ingredient independently from the manufacturers to get more robust information. In nature, there is considerable variation of nutrients (especially with minerals) and the iron and zinc in Huel are both 100% natural from the main ingredients (none from our bespoke vitamin mineral blend).
Through repeated testing, we get data that is more reliable, as is the case here. I understand your valid concern, but I assure you that the amounts are reflective of what you’re obtaining from Huel considering natural variation.
Remember that around 70% of the calcium in Huel is from the natural ingredients, so we’re only talking about 30% of the label amount here; then, in response…
The amount of calcium that we get from the calcium carbonate is what we’re claiming for, so your point here is moot.
It’s actually higher - more like 25-30%. Sure, not as much as calcium citrate (40%), but still similar to what one gets from a typical mixed diet. Calcium recommended intakes are based on average absorption, so the amount absorbed is reflective.
Edit (after email): 
