US EditionProtein Powders and Shakes Contain High Amounts of Lead, New Report Says—a Pharmacologist Explains the Data
Consumer Reports found 16 of 23 protein powders tested exceed their recommended lead limit of 0.5 micrograms per serving, posing potential health concerns linked to environmental contamination.
- On October 20, Consumer Reports released a study finding some protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes contain high lead levels after testing 23 products at an independent commercial laboratory.
- Researchers note that crop uptake and soil contamination mean volcanic rock and fossil fuels introduce heavy metals, which plant crops concentrate in plant-based protein products.
- Testing found stark differences: 16 of 23 products exceeded 0.5 micrograms, and plant-derived protein powders had nine times the lead of dairy proteins.
- Health authorities warn that excess lead exposure is linked to neurological damage and kidney harm, and the FDA advises consumers using protein supplements to consult health-care providers if exposure is suspected.
- Consumer Reports' stricter cutoff highlights a gap with Food and Drug Administration limits, prompting calls for manufacturers and suppliers to tighten testing across product batches and sourcing.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Unsafe amounts of lead found in some protein powders, report says
By Kelly Kasulis Cho The Washington Post More than a dozen protein powders tested for toxic metals were found to have unsafe or concerning amounts of lead, the nonprofit watchdog Consumer Reports said Oct. 14, adding that the average lead levels in such products appear to be worsening compared with years prior. Of 23 protein powders tested, more than two-thirds contained more lead in a single serving than is considered safe to ingest in a day, C…
St Catharines Standard
Lead in your protein smoothie? Health Canada weighs in on Consumer Reports study
Consumer Reports said it tested two or three samples each of 23 commercial products bought from November 2024 through January 2025. Here’s what Health Canada said about the report.
A research published in Consumer Reports (CR) magazine, found high levels of lead in powders and protein shakes,...
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