Over the past several decades, protein powders and shakes have become a fixture of the wellness industry, driving booming sales and dominating supplement aisles, as well as social media feeds. These days, Americans from all walks of life consider these beverages a basic part of their diets.

However, a new Consumer Reports (CR) investigation based on independent and unbiased product testing may give some buyers pause. It found that many protein products still contain unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals, despite a thriving industry and higher consumer expectations for safety. 

The outlet tested 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes from popular brands, after anonymously purchasing multiple samples from online retailers like Amazon and Walmart, as well as health stores such as Whole Foods and Vitamin Shoppe in New York. The products were analyzed for total protein content and contamination by heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

The findings were alarming: “For more than two-thirds of the products we analyzed, a single serving contained more lead than CR’s food safety experts say is safe to consume in a day—some by more than 10 times,” writes Paris Martineau, an Investigative Reporter for Consumer Reports who worked on the study. According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to high levels of lead can cause many symptoms, including but not limited to:

  • Brain damage
  • Nervous system damage
  • Developmental disabilities in children
  • High blood pressure in adults
  • Premature birth

Lead was the most prevalent heavy metal detected, but some powders also contained concerning levels of cadmium and inorganic arsenic—both classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as probable or known carcinogens. Despite the contamination concerns, all products met or exceeded their labeled protein content, ranging from 20 to 60 grams per serving. 

Two plant-based powders, Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel’s Black Edition, stood out as having especially high lead levels. A single serving of these products contained 7.7 and 6.3 micrograms of lead respectively—far exceeding safe consumption limits at 1,570% and 1,290% of Consumer Reports’ daily lead limit. Marketed as a clean protein source, Naked Nutrition’s minimal label touts “Only five premium ingredients with nothing to hide.”

However, he investigators found that seven of the products had low levels of heavy metals, and marked these as “Better Choices for Daily Consumption.” In order of their safety, these top-performing products were:

  1. Muscle Tech 100% Mass Gainer (no limit)
  2. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer (4 servings per day limit)
  3. Momentous Whey Protein Isolate (3 ⅓ servings per day limit)
  4. BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder (2 servings per day limit)
  5. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (1 ¾ servings per day limit)
  6. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer (1 serving per day limit)
  7. Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shake (1 serving per day limit)

Showing no signs of slowing down, Yahoo! Finance reports that the protein supplement industry is expected to reach a value of $38.29 billion by 2030, up from $23.90 billion in 2022. Without stronger regulatory standards to better protect consumers, risks will rise with sales, the investigators note. 

“Protein powders and shakes have become immensely popular and are part of a daily routine for many people who are focused on consuming more protein in their diet,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “Our tests found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein supplements is widespread and has worsened since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago.”

Now, Consumer Reports has launched a petition calling on the FDA to take action once the government shutdown is over. “No one should have to worry that their protein shake could expose them to dangerous levels of lead. It’s time for the FDA to protect the public and hold industry accountable by setting strong limits on lead in protein powders and shakes,” Ronholm added in an October 14 press release. 

In the meantime, consumers looking to lower their personal risk should choose products wisely, limiting intake to reduce exposure to harmful heavy metals. Or, skip powdered products in favor of food sources, such as lean meats, eggs, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. 

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Author
Lauren Gray
Lauren has a decade of experience covering health and wellness for SELF Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Yahoo! News, MSN, Best Life, and more. For three years she led the writing center at Woodstock School, one of the oldest international boarding schools in India.  Lauren is a young adult breast cancer survivor who now centers her personal life aro...
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Lauren Gray