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6h ago

Consumer Reports Finds Elevated Lead in Many Protein Powders, Urges FDA Action

The nonprofit followed its new testing with a petition pressing the FDA to set enforceable heavy‑metal limits for protein supplements.

03 November 2019, Bavaria, Ebing: ILLUSTRATION - A man mixes protein powder into his shaker (posed scene) after training. (to dpa story: "More beautiful than Adonis - Men and the muscle craze") Photo: Nicolas Armer/dpa (Photo by Nicolas Armer/picture alliance via Getty Images)
High levels of lead found in protein powders & shakes, experts in US issue warning (Unsplash - representational image)
Protein powder
(Shutterstock)

Overview

  • More than two-thirds of 23 powders and ready-to-drink shakes exceeded Consumer Reports’ 0.5 microgram-per-day lead threshold, with some servings topping it by tenfold.
  • Plant-based products showed the highest contamination on average—about nine times dairy and twice beef—leading CR to advise avoiding Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer (7.7 mcg) and Huel’s Black Edition (~6.3 mcg).
  • CR sampled multiple lots from several retailers over three months and says contamination appears worse than in its testing 15 years ago.
  • Other toxic metals turned up as well, with two products exceeding CR’s level of concern for cadmium and three containing inorganic arsenic; experts caution against daily use, especially for vulnerable groups.
  • Huel said its products meet international safety limits and are safe to consume, while Naked Nutrition cited supplier testing and commissioned an independent retest; no recalls or new federal limits have been announced.