Shocking Consumer Reports Investigation: Many Protein Powders Contain Unsafe Levels of Lead

Introduction

A recent Consumer Reports investigation has revealed alarming news for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone relying on protein supplements: many popular protein powders and shakes contain levels of lead and other heavy metals that exceed what experts consider safe. This exposé raises urgent questions about regulation, ingredient sourcing, and consumer awareness. In this article, we break down the findings, explain what this means for your health, and share best practices to minimize risk.

What the Consumer Reports Investigation Found

Consumer Reports tested 23 bestselling protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes. Consumer Reports+2The Washington Post+2
Its benchmark for concern was based on California’s Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose (MADL) for lead of 0.5 micrograms per day. EatingWell+2The Washington Post+2
More than two-thirds of the tested products exceeded that lead threshold in just one serving. SELF+3The Washington Post+3EatingWell+3
Some products contained lead levels over 1,000% (10×) of the benchmark, with the worst offenders at 1,200%–1,600%. Consumer Reports+3Simply Recipes+3The Washington Post+3
The worst offenders included Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer (≈ 7.7 micrograms lead per serving) and Huel’s Black Edition (≈ 6.3 micrograms) — both far above the “level of concern.” Consumer Reports+3Simply Recipes+3SELF+3
Additional risks: some powders also contained elevated cadmium and inorganic arsenic, two other heavy metals of health concern. Consumer Reports+3The Washington Post+3EatingWell+3
Compared to 15 years ago, lead contamination in protein powders appears to have worsened, with fewer products having undetectable levels now. The Washington Post+1

Why Protein Powders Are Vulnerable to Lead Contamination

Environmental uptake by plants
Many protein powders are plant-based (pea, rice, hemp). Plants absorb minerals — including heavy metals — from soil, water, and air. If the growing environment is contaminated, the final product may reflect that. SELF+2The Washington Post+2
Processing, blending, and cross-contamination
Even clean raw ingredients may pick up contaminants during manufacturing, transportation, or mixing.
Lack of rigorous regulation
Protein powders are classified as dietary supplements, not foods, so the FDA does not require premarket approval. The responsibility for quality control lies largely with manufacturers. EatingWell+3The Washington Post+3Consumer Reports+3
Changing supply chains and sourcing practices
As demand has boomed, companies may source cheaper raw materials from regions with less stringent environmental or agricultural oversight.

Health Risks of Lead & Other Heavy Metals

Lead, cadmium, and arsenic are toxic, and long-term exposure—even at low levels—can accumulate in the body, posing risks:

Lead can impair neurological function, elevate blood pressure, damage kidneys, and affect reproductive systems.
Cadmium is a kidney toxin and may increase bone demineralization and cancer risk.
Inorganic arsenic is classified as a known human carcinogen by multiple agencies.

Because heavy metals accumulate over time, even modest daily exposure from supplements could raise lifetime risk, especially for vulnerable groups (pregnant women, children, older adults).

Consumer Reports and other experts urge caution — they stress that occasional use is less risky than daily use in light of cumulative exposure. Consumer Reports+3SELF+3The Washington Post+3

Which Protein Powders Are Considered Safer (or to Avoid)

Consumer Reports categorized the tested products into groups: “avoid,” “limit,” “occasionally safe,” and “safe for regular use.” The Washington Post+2EatingWell+2

Avoid entirely: Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer, Huel Black Edition (due to extremely high lead). Consumer Reports+3Simply Recipes+3SELF+3
Limit to once per week: Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous 100% Plant Protein were flagged. The Washington Post+2EatingWell+2
Occasional use / lower risk: Some dairy or beef-based powders scored better, though even among those, some were recommended only for occasional use. Consumer Reports+3The Washington Post+3SELF+3
Safer (for regular use): A handful of whey/dairy-based powders that passed testing with lower contamination levels. Consumer Reports+3The Washington Post+3Food & Wine+3

Note: “Safer” does not mean “zero risk.” Even among the better performers, regular monitoring and moderation are wise.

What Consumers Can Do to Protect Themselves

Here are practical steps to reduce risk:

Look for third-party certifications
Choose brands that are tested by independent labs and carry seals from NSF, USP, ConsumerLab, or equivalent.
Check for heavy metal testing transparency
Reputable brands often publish lab reports or certificates of analysis (COAs).
Prefer animal-based proteins when possible
If your diet allows, dairy/whey or beef-based proteins tend to have lower lead content compared to plant-based ones. SELF+2EatingWell+2
Rotate protein sources & don’t over-rely on powders
Use whole-food protein (meat, fish, eggs, legumes) as your foundation; supplements should be secondary.
Limit daily use
Consider restricting use of protein powders to workout days, or only when food sources are insufficient.
Watch serving size & cumulative intake
In some cases, high lead measurements were from large serving sizes; check label serving sizes carefully.
Stay updated and replace products
Formulations change. A brand you used last year may now differ in sourcing or purity.
Push for better regulation
Support advocacy for stricter oversight on heavy metals in dietary supplements (e.g. legal limits, mandatory testing).