A Consumer Reports investigation tested 23 popular protein powders and meal-replacement shakes and found many contained troubling amounts of lead. More than two‑thirds of the products exceeded CR’s own safety threshold of 0.5 micrograms (µg) of lead per serving. Plant-based formulas had the highest readings; in over two‑thirds of those products a single serving contained more lead than CR’s experts consider safe for an entire day, sometimes by more than tenfold.
Standout test 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, the chemist who led CR’s testing, called the findings worrying and said levels were worse than previous tests.
How makers responded
CR reached out to the manufacturers of tested products. Several brands (including Equip Foods, Garden of Life, KOS, Momentous, Muscle Meds, Muscle Tech, Orgain, and Vega) said they routinely test ingredients and finished products for heavy metals. Naked Nutrition and Huel disputed the implications of CR’s report.
Naked Nutrition noted its Vegan Mass Gainer is intended as a weight‑gainer with a much larger serving size (about 315 g) compared with standard protein powders (typically 30–50 g). The company said that when measured on a per‑gram basis its lead concentrations are consistent with other plant‑based products, that it requires supplier certificates of analysis, retains lot samples, and is pursuing NSF certification that includes contaminant testing. Naked also said independent testing found no heavy metals above FDA reference intake levels for adults.
Huel pointed to its lab accreditation and recent NSF testing, which it said showed lead below detection at that lab’s 3.6 µg tolerance, and described reported differences as “minuscule variations.” Industry groups such as the Natural Products Association and the Council for Responsible Nutrition criticized CR’s coverage as alarmist or misleading.
Context from experts
Some industry and nutrition experts say CR’s 0.5 µg/serving threshold is conservative. Shannon O’Grady of Gnarly Nutrition noted CR’s standard aligns with California’s Proposition 65, which applies extra safety margins and can be much stricter than federal guidance. FDA guidance on lead in foods recognizes that trace environmental contamination is widespread and sets reference levels that agencies consider realistic for diet‑related exposure.
U.S. average dietary lead exposure has been estimated at about 5.3 µg per day, so experts emphasize looking at total daily and long‑term exposure, and paying special attention to higher‑risk groups—particularly children and women of reproductive age. Registered dietitian Amy Chow warned that chronic low‑level lead exposure can affect neurodevelopment, kidneys, cardiovascular and reproductive health, and bone, but that the level at which harm occurs depends on a person’s age, health, nutrition and other exposures.
Practical takeaways and advice
For most adults who use protein powders occasionally and eat a varied diet, the levels reported by CR are unlikely to cause acute lead poisoning, which usually results from highly contaminated water, old lead paint or soil. Still, because no blood lead level is considered completely safe, minimizing avoidable exposures is sensible. Practical steps include:
– Favor whey protein or whey blends if heavy‑metal exposure is a concern; plant‑based proteins often reflect higher uptake of metals from soil.
– Be cautious with mass gainers and products with very large serving sizes—the bigger the serving, the greater the total heavy‑metal intake.
– Chocolate‑flavored powders may contain more lead because cocoa can concentrate metals.
– Limit supplemental powder to no more than one serving per day and avoid using powders as a replacement for whole‑food protein when possible.
– Choose products with third‑party testing seals from organizations such as NSF, USP or Informed‑Choice; these programs test for contaminants and verify label claims.
Who may benefit from supplements
Protein powders can be useful for people with higher protein needs or limited access to whole foods: athletes rebuilding muscle, vegetarians and vegans who struggle to meet complete‑protein requirements, people trying to lose weight, older adults at risk of muscle loss, and people recovering from surgery or illness. Those groups should select products tested for contaminants and use supplements in moderation.
Bottom line
Consumer Reports’ testing found elevated lead in many protein powders, especially plant‑based products and items with large serving sizes. Occasional use by most adults is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but cumulative exposure matters—particularly for children and women who are or may become pregnant. To reduce risk, prefer third‑party‑tested products, limit servings, favor whey when appropriate, and rely primarily on whole‑food protein sources.
