These Popular Protein Powders Contain Dangerously High Levels of Lead, According to a New Report

We see food trends come and go all the time, but the current protein palooza in the U.S. has no plans of fizzling out. Protein has taken over the freezer aisle, the cereal aisle, and the drive-thru to boot. Candy brands, such as Hershey’s and Reese’s, rolled out new protein products this year. And even Pop-Tarts is now adding protein to its most popular flavors.

But one of the easiest ways to hit protein goals is with protein powder or pre-made, shelf-stable shakes. However, according to a new study, that convenience may come at a cost for our overall health and safety.

New Investigation Finds High Levels of Lead in Most Protein Powders and Shakes

Consumer Reports just dropped a shocking new study with alarming findings on some of the most popular protein brands in the U.S. As CR’s reporter, Paris Martineau, summarizes, many protein powders and shakes “contain more lead in a single serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day.”

And it turns out this isn’t a new development. CR has been tracking lead exposure in many foods for decades and, according to this new report, the amount of lead found in protein powder has only gone up in the last 15 years. What’s worse: Two top brands had “so much lead that CR’s experts caution against using them at all.”

But even some of the less-risky protein powders tested still had enough lead—as well as other toxic contaminants, such as arsenic and cadmium—to warrant a recommended use of only once a week. Because once a day would be well over the daily lead exposure limit that is deemed “safe” by the FDA. (Though, technically, the FDA states that there is no known safe limit for lead consumption.)

Protein Powders With the Highest Amount of Lead, According to Consumer Reports

The most significant takeaway from this investigation is that of the 23 products tested, plant-based protein powders contained higher amounts of lead compared to dairy (whey) and beef protein powders.

That’s not to say that the dairy and beef protein brands weren’t concerning, but two popular plant-based protein brands “contained between 1,200 and 1,600 percent of CR’s level of concern for lead.” That percentage is so high that CR put two protein powders in the red zone and cautions consumers from ingesting them at all: Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel Black Edition.

The Safest Protein Powder To Buy, According to Consumer Reports

So, which powders are OK to consume on a regular basis? According to CR’s findings, the report only found one brand without any detectable lead: Muscle Tech 100% Mass Gainer protein powder.

However, the report highlights several other major protein brands with powders and shakes that, while they do contain traces of lead, fall well below the threshold of recommended daily lead exposure:

• Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shake: Safe to consume once a day.
• Transparent Labs Mass Gainer: Safe to consume once a day.
• Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey: Safe to consume once a day.
• BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder: Safe to consume twice a day.
• Momentous Whey Protein Isolate: Safe to consume three times a day.
• Dymatize Super Mass Gainer: Safe to consume four times a day.

Of course, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the long-term effects of lead exposure. What we do know is that ongoing lead exposure can impact the brain, the nervous system, and so much more. So, while staying below a daily amount is a good start, ideally, we want to avoid any lead in the foods we eat. Choosing whole foods naturally high in protein as opposed to processed snacks with fortified protein is always going to be a safer route within the context of toxic metals.

Or, as CR’s Martineau writes, “Don’t succumb to protein mania.”