A Consumer Reports investigation found that more than two-thirds of tested protein powders and shakes contained more lead per serving than what food safety experts deem safe for daily consumption.

Plant-based protein powders, particularly those made with pea protein, tend to have higher levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic compared to animal-based powders.

Experts emphasize awareness over alarm: limit products with high lead levels and rely more on whole food protein sources to reduce long-term heavy metal exposure.

For many people, protein powder is a staple in their kitchen pantry because of its accessibility and versatility. However, not all protein supplements are created equal, as Consumer Reports’ (CR) latest investigation revealed this week, finding that many protein powders and shakes contain alarmingly high levels of lead. 

The report found that over two-thirds of the 23 protein powders and shakes reviewed by the nonprofit contained a single serving with more lead than what Consumer Reports’ food safety experts deemed safe to consume in a day — in some cases, more than 10 times the limit. 

This may sound alarming, especially if you religiously crush a protein shake daily, but there’s no need to panic. “Many of these powders are fine to have occasionally, and even those with the highest lead levels are far below the concentration needed to cause harm,” the report said. Instead, the point is to raise awareness about exactly what you’re consuming so you can take the right steps to lower your heavy metal exposure in the long term.

Here’s a closer look at the report’s results, along with tips on how to mitigate your risk of heavy metal exposure. 

Protein supplements such as powders and ready-to-drink shakes are marketed as quick and easy ways to meet your nutritional goals, but that doesn’t mean they are free from environmental pollution, health concerns, or contamination.

According to the report, more than two-thirds of the tested protein products contained a single serving with more lead than CR food safety experts deem safe for daily consumption — and some exceeded this limit by more than 10 times. There were some exceptions, but products made with plant-based proteins generally tested higher for lead than those derived from animal sources (FYI: all plant-based products relied on pea protein as the main ingredient). Dairy-based proteins had the lowest lead levels, but half of the dairy products still had contamination levels high enough for experts to advise against daily use.

The reason for this is likely because plants, including peas, are known to absorb whatever nutrients or contaminants are naturally present in the soil, water, and air around them. The exact culprit depends on where the plant is grown and ultimately processed, but heavy metal contamination can originate from natural sources like the earth’s crust or from human activity such as industrial pollution, wastewater irrigation, road dust, or pesticides used in farming. Animal products, on the other hand, typically contain heavy metals that enter through contaminated feed, soil, water, and air in the animal’s environment.

Consumer Reports tested 23 different dairy, beef, and plant-based protein supplements, including powders and ready-to-drink shakes, for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Multiple samples of each product were purchased from various retailers over a three-month period.

Lead was the primary heavy metal that emerged in the results, with about 70 percent of tested products exceeding 120 percent of Consumer Report’s levels of concern, which is 0.5 micrograms of lead per day. Three products also surpassed the concern levels for cadmium and inorganic arsenic, a toxic heavy metal classified as a known carcinogen. 

Your Pots and Pans Could Be Leaching Lead Into Meals, FDA Warns

These results are especially concerning because ongoing lead exposure can negatively affect neurological development in infants and children. Some data indicate that long-term exposure is also associated with high blood pressure, nerve damage, kidney issues, and reproductive concerns in adults. At high levels, arsenic and cadmium are also linked to an increased risk of cancer across all age groups.

Here are the products Consumer Reports recommends limiting and/or avoiding entirely, based on the nonprofit’s findings.

Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer 

Huel’s Black Edition 

Garden of Life’s Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein 

Momentous’ 100% Plant Protein 

MuscleMeds’ Carnivor Mass 

Jocko Fuel’s Mölk Protein Shake 

Optimum Nutrition’s Serious Mass

Vega’s Premium Sport Plant-Based Protein 

Quest’s Protein Shake 

Orgain’s Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder 

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Protein Shake

Equip Foods’ Prime Protein 

PlantFusion’s Complete Protein 

Ensure’s Plant-Based Protein Nutrition Shake 

Muscle Milk’s Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake 

KOS Organic Superfood Plant Protein 

Owyn’s Pro Elite High Protein Shake 

Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer 

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey

BSN’s Synthia-6 Protein Powder 

Momentous’ Whey Protein Isolate

Dymatize’s Super Mass Gainer 

Muscle Tech’s 100% Mass Gainer 

No amount of lead is considered safe, but there’s no need to panic if you’ve been supplementing with any of the above brands. This is because many of these products are safe to consume occasionally, and even those with the highest lead levels are well below the concentration required to cause immediate harm. 

You want your lead exposure to be as low as possible, so based on the findings, it’s worth reconsidering using the two products Consumer Reports listed to avoid (Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel’s Black Edition). Another pro tip? Avoid any product with a Prop 65 warning on the label, which serves as a disclosure that products contain chemicals identified by California as potentially causing cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm at certain exposure levels.

Your Favorite Gluten-Free Foods Could Contain Extreme Levels of Lead

If you’re set on using a protein supplement, it’s best to choose one of the “better choice” products to reduce your potential lead exposure. If none of those appeal to you, Consumer Reports suggests limiting your weekly intake of protein supplements. 

To meet your protein needs, consider incorporating fresh, whole foods that naturally contain protein, such as chicken, fish, tofu, lentils, eggs, Greek yogurt, lean beef, and beans. After all, most adults actually don’t need a protein supplement to reach the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s general recommendation of 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

Last but not least, keep in mind that heavy metal toxicity is primarily about mitigating long-term risk, as the greatest danger comes from repeated exposure, especially at high doses. So, if you occasionally drink a protein shake, you’re likely fine. That said, if you have concerns about your dietary choices, protein intake, or heavy metal exposure, consulting a medical professional is always a smart move.

Reviewed by

Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC: Lauren is an award-winning registered dietitian and three-time book author, with more than 22 years in the field.