A Consumer Reports (CR) investigation found that many popular protein powders and meal-replacement shakes contain concerning levels of lead. CR tested 23 products and reported that more than two‑thirds exceeded its self-set safety threshold of 0.5 micrograms (µg) of lead per serving. Plant-based powders showed the highest readings; in over two‑thirds of products, a single serving contained more lead than CR’s experts consider safe for one day, sometimes by more than tenfold.
Notable results included 7.7 µg of lead in a serving of Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer and 6.3 µg in Huel Black Edition. Tunde Akinleye, a chemist who led CR’s testing, said the findings are worrying and worse than prior tests.
Manufacturer responses
CR contacted companies whose products were tested. Several firms (Equip Foods, Garden of Life, KOS, Momentous, Muscle Meds, Muscle Tech, Orgain, and Vega) said they test ingredients and final products for heavy metals. Naked Nutrition and Huel disputed the report’s implications.
Naked Nutrition noted its Vegan Mass Gainer is a weight gainer with a much larger serving size (~315 g) than typical protein powders (30–50 g), and argued the per‑gram lead concentrations are consistent with other plant-based products. The company said it requires supplier certificates of analysis, retains lot samples, and is pursuing NSF certification that includes contaminant testing; independent tests, it said, found no heavy metals above FDA reference intake levels for adults.
Huel cited accreditation and recent NSF testing showing lead levels below detection at the lab’s 3.6 µg tolerance and called differences “minuscule variations.” Industry groups including the Natural Products Association and the Council for Responsible Nutrition criticized CR’s reporting as alarmist or misleading.
Expert context and risk
Some industry and nutrition experts say CR’s threshold may be conservative. Shannon O’Grady, CEO of Gnarly Nutrition, noted CR used a safety standard aligned with California’s Prop 65, which applies an additional safety margin and can be far more conservative than federal guidance. The FDA’s guidance on lead in foods acknowledges environmental ubiquity and sets reference levels considered realistic for dietary exposure.
Average dietary lead exposure is estimated at about 5.3 µg per day in the U.S., so experts advise considering cumulative exposure and individual risk groups—especially children and women of reproductive age. Registered dietitian Amy Chow warned that long‑term low‑level lead exposure can affect neurodevelopment, kidneys, cardiovascular and reproductive health, and bones, but that the level triggering harm depends on age, health, nutrition, and other exposures.
Practical takeaways
For most adults who use protein powders occasionally as part of a varied diet, the CR levels are unlikely to cause acute lead poisoning, which typically stems from contaminated water, old lead paint, or soil. Still, because no blood lead level is considered truly safe, limiting avoidable exposures is prudent.
Recommendations:
– Prefer whey protein or whey blends if concerned, as plant-based powders tend to have higher heavy‑metal uptake from soil.
– Be cautious with mass gainers and large‑serving products—the larger the serving, the higher total heavy‑metal intake.
– Chocolate‑flavored products may have higher lead due to cocoa ingredients.
– Limit supplementation to no more than one serving per day and don’t use powders as a substitute for whole‑food protein sources when possible.
– Look for third‑party testing seals from organizations such as NSF, USP, or Informed‑Choice; these groups test for contaminants and verify label claims.
Who may need supplements
Protein supplements can help certain groups meet higher protein needs: athletes rebuilding muscle, vegetarians who struggle to get enough complete protein, people trying to lose weight, older adults at risk of muscle loss, and individuals recovering from surgery or illness. When supplements are used, choose products tested for contaminants and moderate serving frequency.
Bottom line
Consumer Reports’ testing found elevated lead in many protein powders, particularly plant‑based products and those with large serving sizes. Occasional use for most adults is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but cumulative exposure matters—especially for children and women of childbearing age. Choosing third‑party‑tested products, limiting servings, favoring whey when appropriate, and relying chiefly on whole‑food protein can help reduce risk.
