Consumer Reports has conducted an extensive research study on protein powders from numerous brands, which has shaken the market. The results indicated that the presence of lead in protein shakes is well above the values allowed by food safety experts, and they have even recommended not consuming some of the analyzed brands. Among the brands analyzed are Huel Black Edition, Naked Nutrition, Garden of Life, Momentous, Optimum Nutrition, Vega Premium Sport, and MuscleMeds. While some of these brands have withdrawn their products from the market, others claim that this report is alarmist and that it was based on California’s Proposition 65, using a lead threshold of 0.5 micrograms per day.
The results showed high percentages of contamination by heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead, which reach food through industrial agriculture. According to the associate professor of medicine and physician at the Cambridge Health Alliance, Rose Goldman MD, no amount of lead is safe, but continuous intake and exposure to high doses can be very harmful. On the other hand, Harvard Health states that the recommended dietary allowance for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound, which can be obtained from natural sources such as tuna, salmon, chicken, yogurt, legumes, etc.
Lead in protein shakes?
Consumer Reports conducted an investigation into the protein powders available on the market. To do this, they checked different brands over a three-month period starting in November 2024. The main objective was to analyze the levels of lead, and the results left many shocked. The analysis found that more than two-thirds of the products analyzed contain more lead than recommended by food safety experts, even exceeding the limit by up to 10 times. Some brands have even been advised against consumption by Consumer Reports.
Which products were examined?
If you want to check the complete list of brands analyzed, you can do so by accessing the Consumers Reports study. Here are some of them:
- Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer (Serving size: 315 grams, which is six scoops)
Listed as: Products to avoid. - Huel Black Edition (Serving size: 90 grams, which is two scoops)
Listed as: Products to avoid. - Garden of Life Sport-Organic Plant-Based Protein (Serving size: 45 grams, which is two scoops)
Listed as: Recommend limiting to once a week. - Momentous 100% Plant Protein (Serving size: 37.7 grams, which is one scoop)
Listed as: Recommend limiting to once a week. - MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass (Serving size: 191 grams, which is four scoops)
Listed as: Okay to eat occasionally. - Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass (Serving size: 340 grams, which is two scoops)
Listed as: Okay to eat occasionally. - Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder (Serving size: 46 grams, which is two scoops)
Listed as: Okay to eat occasionally.
Worrisome results
In summary, the most concerning data from this study were found in the following products:
- Naked Nutrition’s Mass Gainer: contained 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving, approximately 1,570% above the limit.
- Huel’s Black Edition: contained 6.3 micrograms of lead, which is approximately 1,290% above the daily limit. In addition, it contained 9.2 micrograms of cadmium, more than double the daily consumption limit (4.1 micrograms).
- Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous’ 100% Plant Protein: contained lead at 400 to 600% of concern reference levels.
- MuscleMeds’ Carnivor Mass: 200% above the limit for a non-plant protein powder with detected lead.Vega’s Premium Sport: cadmium level in the product was high enough to exceed the acceptable level.
- Optimum Nutrition’s Serious Mass also had 8.5 micrograms per serving of inorganic arsenic, double the minimum limit.
What do the brands say about it?
According to USA TODAY, the outlet contacted Naked Nutrition, PlantFusion, BSN, KOS, Owyn, Dymatize, Muscle Tech, Muscle Milk, Ensure, Transparent Labs, Quest, Orgain, Equip Foods, Jocko Fuel, Vega Premium Sport, Optimum Nutrition, Huel, Garden of Life, Ensure, Momentous, and MuscleMeds to hear their side.
On one hand, a spokesperson for Momentous stated that the products that had been examined are no longer on the market. On the other hand, Huel’s spokesperson considers it to be an alarmist report: “It is important to understand that Consumer Reports’ approach reflects a uniquely cautious regulation rather than an internationally accepted measure of consumer safety”, referring to California Proposition 65, which uses a threshold of 0.5 micrograms of lead per day.
Dangers of lead consumption
Although no amount of lead is safe, Rose Goldman, MD, an associate professor of medicine and physician at the Cambridge Health Alliance, explains that the risk lies in continuous intake or high-dose exposure, with pregnant individuals and children being more vulnerable, potentially experiencing neurological effects, behavioral problems, and even learning delays. According to Harvard Health, the recommended amount of protein is 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 g per pound.
This amount can be easily obtained through natural animal and plant protein sources, such as tuna, salmon, turkey, chicken, Greek yogurt, or legumes. It is important to be aware that both animal and plant protein can be affected by heavy metal contamination resulting from industrial agriculture. However, the amounts do not match the values obtained in this study.