The report was produced by Consumer Reports (CR), a nonprofit organization of journalists and scientists that conducts independent product testing.
Testers reviewed dairy, beef and plant-based supplements
CR investigators reviewed a range of dairy, beef and plant-based protein supplements, including ready-to-drink powders and shakes. The team purchased two to four batches of each product from a variety of sources, including online, big box stores and nutrition stores.
A “lot” is a specific group of products manufactured, processed or packaged under the same conditions.
Key findings included:
- About 70 percent of the products tested contained an amount of lead per serving above CR’s daily “level of concern,” with some exceeding that level more than ten times.
- Three products also exceeded the level of concern for cadmium and inorganic arsenic – toxic heavy metals classified as probable and known human carcinogens (cancer-causing compounds) respectively by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Compared to testing 15 years ago, average lead levels were higher and fewer products contained undetectable lead.
- Herbal powders had the highest contamination. Two products had lead levels so high (1,200 to 1,600 percent of the daily concern level) that Consumer Reports advises not to use them at all.
- On average, plant-based products contained nine times more lead than dairy products and twice as much as beef-based powders.
- While dairy-based protein powders generally had the lowest levels, about half still exceeded the CR threshold for safe daily use.
- Vanilla-flavored powders tended to have the lowest levels of heavy metals, while chocolate-flavored ones had the highest levels.
How much lead is too much?
This analysis is an important reminder that there can be trace amounts of lead in protein powders, and if manufacturers aren’t careful to manage the amount of lead, levels can continue to rise, says Pieter Cohen, MD, a supplement researcher and associate professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
“This is very concerning because lead can stay in the body for months or longer,” says Dr. Cohen, who was not involved in the research.
The second protein powder report in less than a year
Unlike drugs, the FDA does not routinely approve or test dietary supplements before they hit store shelves, Cohen says. Manufacturers are responsible for their own safety testing, and there are no applicable federal limits for heavy metals found in protein powders. The lack of clear, consistent standards leaves consumers largely alone in judging risks, he says.
How do different protein powder brands compare?
Investigators classified the products into categories based on the amount of lead found in the powder or shake. Consumer Reports made the following recommendations:
Avoid completely
- Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer
- Huel Black Edition
Limited to once a week
- Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant Protein
- 100% essential plant proteins
Can be used occasionally
- MuscleMeds Carnivorous Mass
- Serious mass Optimum Nutrition
- Quest Protein Shake
- Orgain Organic Plant Protein
- Vega Premium Sport vegetable protein
- Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Shake
Best Daily Options (Below Concern Level)
- Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shake
- Transparent Labs Mass Gain
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100 Percent Whey
- BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder
- Momentous Whey Protein Isolate
Supplement makers say report leaves out important context
Jeff Ventura, vice president of communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the main trade group representing supplement makers, says people should keep a few things in mind when interpreting the results.
“While we appreciate that Consumer Reports has published some details about its methodology, we note that important context is missing – particularly on how the products were selected, whether the tests reflect typical consumer use, and how their ‘concern levels’ were calculated. Without alignment with established federal benchmarks, or even without actual safety risk, such proprietary thresholds can overestimate risk and cause a unnecessary alarm,” Ventura says.
The levels detected in the report do not necessarily pose a health risk, he says.
“Simply detecting heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or arsenic does not equate to a health risk. Modern testing methods are extraordinarily sensitive and capable of identifying traces of natural elements found widely in soil, water and plants,” says Ventura.
What to Consider When Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Protein Powder
Cohen agrees, saying, “I’m just not convinced that there are many common scenarios where people need to add protein powder to their diet to be healthier. I think there’s a lot more hype than actual evidence to support it.” He suggests that people focus on meeting their protein needs through a healthy, balanced diet.
- People aged 40 and over
- Athletes, very active people or people who do bodybuilding
- People who experience rapid weight loss, especially while taking GLP-1 medications
If you’re using protein powder, Consumer Reports recommends doing the following:
- Avoid daily use, especially herbal or chocolate-flavored varieties.
- Choose powders made from whey or collagen, which generally contain less lead and cadmium.
- Check for third-party testing or NSF certification, which indicates compliance with independent safety standards.
- Look for transparent brands that make heavy metal test results public.
- Watch portion sizes. More powder doesn’t necessarily mean more benefits.
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