Protein Powder Red Flags
A Consumer Reports probe found two‑thirds of tested protein powders had high levels of heavy metals, a finding that spurred pushback from industry groups and calls for better testing. (nutritionaloutlook.com) Nutrition experts now advise checking sourcing, independent lab tests and ingredient transparency before buying powders. (nutritionaloutlook.com)
Consumer Reports published its protein‑powder investigation on Oct. 14, 2025 (updated Jan. 8, 2026) after anonymously buying and testing 23 powders and ready‑to‑drink shakes and using a 0.5 microgram/day lead benchmark for its “level of concern.” (consumerreports.org) Two plant‑based powders stood out as extreme outliers in CR’s lab results: Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer measured about 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving and Huel’s Black Edition about 6.3 micrograms per serving, figures CR reported as roughly 1,570% and 1,290% of its level of concern, respectively. ( ) The industry trade group Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued a formal October 15, 2025 statement urging “caution in interpreting” CR’s results, saying CR used proprietary thresholds, questioned product selection and consumer‑use representation, and called for alignment with federal benchmarks. (crnusa.org) Several brands and industry outlets pointed to alternative standards and company testing—Huel and others highlighted NSF’s 10 microgram/day benchmark and said their testing showed Huel Black had about 1.5–2.2 µg per 90 g serving, disputing CR’s conclusions. ( ) Policy action followed: California Sen. Steve Padilla introduced SB 1033 on Feb. 11, 2026, cosponsored by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group, and the state Senate Health Committee advanced the bill on March 25, 2026; the measure would require manufacturers to test lots for lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic and publicly disclose results starting Jan. 1, 2028 under the bill text. ( ) Consumer‑facing consequences have followed CR’s report: class‑action complaints have been filed referencing the testing results against Naked Nutrition and Huel alleging misleading safety claims, and some retailers and brands have issued public statements or recalls tied to the findings. ( ) Consumer Reports has called on the FDA to set strict federal limits for lead in protein powders, noting that dietary supplements are not preapproved by the agency and that, until federal rules change, companies rely on a mix of state standards, voluntary third‑party certifications and their own testing. ( )
