Lead found in protein powders
A Consumer Reports investigation detected high lead levels in several popular protein powders and shakes, prompting experts to urge athletes to prioritize whole‑food protein sources instead of relying on contaminated supplements. (wral.com) (alltoc.com)
Consumer Reports bought and lab-tested 23 protein powders and ready‑to‑drink shakes and found that more than two‑thirds contained more lead per serving than CR’s food‑safety experts consider safe (0.5 micrograms per day). (consumerreports.org) Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer registered roughly 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving — about 1,570% of CR’s level of concern — making it the single worst‑performing product in the set. (usatoday.com) Huel’s Black Edition powder tested at about 6.3 micrograms of lead per serving, or roughly 1,290% of CR’s 0.5 µg/day benchmark, and was one of two products CR advised consumers to avoid. (newsweek.com) Consumer Reports reported that plant‑based powders averaged far higher lead levels than animal‑based options — approximately nine times the lead of dairy proteins and about twice that of beef‑based powders, on average. (wkyc.com) After reader requests, CR retested five additional chocolate‑flavored powders (Clean Simple Eats, Equate, Premier Protein, Ritual and Truvani) and published follow‑up results on Jan. 8, 2026 showing four of the five below CR’s 0.5 µg/day threshold and Clean Simple Eats at 0.21 µg per serving. (consumerreports.org) California State Sen. Steve Padilla introduced SB 1033 to require lot‑level heavy‑metal testing and public disclosure for protein products sold in California, and the Senate Health Committee advanced the bill on March 25, 2026. (sd18.senate.ca.gov) The trade group Council for Responsible Nutrition publicly opposed SB 1033 as “burdensome,” while multiple class‑action lawsuits have been filed against Huel and Naked Nutrition citing Consumer Reports’ testing as a basis for claims. (nutritioninsight.com)
