Some Protein Powders Contain High Levels of Lead, According to New Report

A study by Consumer Reports found that two-thirds of the tested powders did not meet the group’s safety standards

Rachel Nania,

AARP

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Published October 17, 2025

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Protein powders have surged in popularity in recent years, particularly among people looking to build muscle or manage their weight. But a new report reveals that these widely used wellness supplements may contain a hidden danger.

A new investigation from the nonprofit Consumer Reports found that several common brands contain concerning amounts of lead, a toxic metal linked to a number of health issues. The group tested 23 best-selling brands and found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than what its experts consider safe to consume in a day (0.5 micrograms), the same standard set by a California law. Some products exceeded that level by more than 10 times.

A simple scroll on social media, and it’s not hard to see that protein is having a moment. A Consumer Reports survey conducted earlier this year found that nearly 60 percent of adults have tried to increase their protein intake in the past three years, and the protein powder market has responded; sales are expected to nearly double by 2034, according to one report. And research suggests protein powders and shakes are increasingly used by older adults, who are more prone to muscle loss.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no known safe level of lead exposure. And exposure to more than 2.2 mcg per day for children and more than 8.8 mcg per day for women of childbearing age is considered a potential health concern, the agency says.

Two plant-based protein powders tested by Consumer Reports contained high enough levels of lead that the organization’s experts advised against consuming them. Naked Nutrition’s Naked Vegan Mass Gainer powder contained 7.7 mcg of lead per serving, and Huel’s Black Edition powder contained 6.3.

Seven products tested by the group had lead levels below the 0.5 mcg standard.

In general, the lead levels in plant-based products tested by Consumer Reports were higher than those made with dairy- and beef-based proteins. Dairy-based protein powders and shakes generally had the lowest amounts of lead.

“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, in a news release. “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.”

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Consumer Reports also detected cadmium and arsenic in three products during the investigation.

In a statement, Naked Nutrition said that its product is a weight-gainer product and therefore has a bigger serving size than others tested. “When viewed on a per-gram basis, our results are consistent with other plant-based protein products,” the company said. On its website, Huel says its product remains well within the recognized food safety threshold for lead.

Limiting lead

One challenge, explains Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who researches supplement safety, is that it’s hard to know how much lead a person is exposed to each day. Knowingly adding to that unknown baseline is something experts say should be avoided.

The toxic metal, which can accumulate in the body over time, can be found in everything from food — lead can make its way into food from the environment where it is grown, raised or processed, according to the FDA — to dust in our homes. Some estimates suggest adults ingest around 6 mcg of lead daily. “You shouldn’t be getting 8, 9, 10 micrograms of lead a day from your supplements,” Cohen says.

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and is especially hazardous for young children. In adults, the health effects of lead can include high blood pressure, memory and concentration problems, kidney issues, muscle and joint pain, and reproductive problems in both men and women. Public health experts say even small amounts of lead can be harmful.

In a news release, Tunde Akinleye, the Consumer Reports food safety researcher who led the testing project, said “there’s no reason to panic” if you’ve been taking any of the products the group tested, “since many of these protein powders are fine to use occasionally and none of them will cause immediate harm.” However, Akinleye said, “regular users of protein supplements should consider reducing their consumption.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry, urged caution in interpreting the results of the investigation, saying that Consumer Reports’ “use of its own internal ‘Level of Concern’ benchmarks — standards not recognized by any regulator — creates a misleading impression of risk.”

Supplements are not without risks

Cohen says the report’s results are a reminder that the use of supplements is not without risks: “The concept of taking supplements is that it’s either going to be healthy, or if it’s not healthy … [that it] certainly does not cause any problems.” But that mindset, Cohen says, is “out of [step] with reality.”

In the U.S., supplements are not subject to the same strict regulations as over-the-counter and prescription medications. The FDA does not approve their safety and effectiveness before they hit store shelves, nor does the agency approve the labels on supplements. But many supplements contain ingredients that can have strong effects on the body and that can interact with other medications, the FDA says.

If you’re going to purchase a supplement, Cohen recommends looking for products that have been certified by a third-party organization, such as NSF or the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). These companies test to make sure that what’s in the bottle matches what’s on the label and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants. And many experts stress the importance of talking to your doctor before adding a supplement to your routine.

As for protein powders: “I would just focus on getting your protein from food and avoiding protein supplements, if you’re worried about lead exposure,” Cohen says.

National guidelines suggest that the average adult should consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, or approximately 60 grams of protein per day for a 165-pound person. Some older adults might need slightly more.

Foods such as Greek yogurt, edamame, fish and lean meats are all good sources of protein.

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