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Consumer Reports study finds lead in protein powder at all-time high.
According to the non-profit consumer advocacy group, lead content has risen alongside the trend. Some products have increased significantly when compared to an initial protein powder study the group conducted 15 years prior.
In fact, more than two-thirds of the products tested contained more lead than food experts say is safe to consume in a day. In some cases, the amount of lead present in a single serving exceeded that level by more than 10 times!
How does the 2025 report compare to Consumer Reports 2010 report? How much lead is too much lead? Who are the worst offenders?
The first time Consumer Reports performed this type of survey on protein powders, consumers were concerned. The results this time are even more troubling.
“It’s concerning that these results are even worse than the last time we tested,” said Tunde Akinleye, the Consumer Reports food safety researcher who led the testing project. Lead levels are higher and fewer products contained undetectable amounts. The product with the highest lead levels in this study had nearly twice as much lead per serving as the worst product in the 2010 study.
Nearly all plant-based products tested had elevated lead levels!
While nearly all of the plant-based protein powder products had elevated lead levels, two were so high that Consumer Reports experts say consumers should use them at all.
Before we begin, let’s talk about what lead does to the human body and how much is too much.
So, exactly how much lead is too much lead? In short, there is technically no safe amount of lead. However, repeated or continuous exposure poses the greatest risk. Especially when exposure is in high doses.
Children and those who are pregnant are at greatest risk. Children and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to the damage caused by lead that impacts the developing brain and nervous system. This can manifest into neurological issues, learning delays, and behavioral problems over time.
In adults, chronic lead exposure has also been associated with high blood pressure, immune suppression, kidney damage, and even reproductive problems.
Occasional use generally will pose no major concern. However, protein powders aren’t usually consumed intermittently. These products are often part of people’s daily routine. Sometimes twice a day. In fact, many protein supplements are considered meal replacements. Some consumers boast that they only consume the shakes for months at a time.
But how does lead get into these protein powders anyway?
That is a good question right? I can’t see it being a part of the fortification ingredients going too heavy.
So where does it come from?
In this study, with a few exceptions, most of the offending product were made with plant-based proteins. These protein powders generally tested highest for lead than those using meat- or dairy-based sources.
While soy remains the most popular plant-based protein in general, when it comes to protein powders pea protein has emerged as the most popular alternative. The flavor profile is appealing, as is the relatively low risk of allergic reaction.
The study could not determine if the pea protein itself was the issue or whether it comes down to the natural tendency for plants to take up lead, but several factors are known.
Heavy metal contamination can happen from natural sources in the environment. Depending on where the crops are grown, the contamination may come directly from the environment.
Several conditions may contribute to lead in protein powder.
Getting protein out of plants is a complex process. Each “highly mechanized” step introduces another chance for contaminants.
In addition to the mechanical aspect of protein extraction, chemical steps can also introduce contaminants.
Of the 23 protein powders and shakes tested, two ranked the highest. Who were the worst offenders?
Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer Vanilla flavor and Huel Black Edition Chocolate flavor. These two contained between 1,200 and 1,600 percent of Consumer Reports “level of concern” for lead (0.5 micrograms per day). Consumer Reports actually recommended against consuming these products entirely.
Another two, Garden of Life Sport Organic Plan-Based Protein Vanilla flavor and Momentous 100% Plant Protein Chocolate flavor. These two had between 400 and 600 percent of the Consumer Reports “level of concern” for lead. Consumer Reports recommended against consuming these products more than once a week.
Several Consumer Reports tested products contained a lead level that allows for more regular consumption. Just not daily. Maximum suggested product usage rates ranged from no more than 2 ¾ servings in a week to no more than 6 ¼ servings in a week.
In order of least recommended servings to most, products include:
If you still plan to consume protein drinks and powders on a daily basis, Consumer Reports has classified some of the tested products as “better choices for daily consumption.” Instead of a suggested weekly maximum consumption limit, these products are given a suggested daily maximum consumption limit.
These products include:
Only one product tested by Consumer Reports in this 2025 lead in protein powder study showed undetectable levels of lead. For this reason, Consumer Reports gives it the green light for consumption without limit. For lead, anyway.
What was the best performer?
Muscle Tech 100% Mass Gainer Vanilla Milkshake flavor. For those who want to consume the product daily, or more than once a day, this was the safest product of the 23 tested.
Did you know this was a problem? Have you considered this health hazard before?
Personally, I have heard about the issue. Lead sneaks into a lot of products we don’t expect them in. Protein powder, chocolate, flour. Understanding those that pose the greatest risk help consumers make more informed choices at the grocery store.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Lead in Protein Powder at All-Time High, Says New Consumer Reports Study,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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