Is There Lead in Protein Powder?
In many, according to recent testing. In results published in October 2025, Consumer Reports found that for more than two-thirds of 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes, a single serving held more lead than its food safety experts consider acceptable in a day, some by more than 10 times. The Clean Label Project reported in January 2025 that 47 percent of the protein powders it tested exceeded at least one federal or state limit, including California’s Proposition 65, with arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury all detected.
Plant-based products carried the most. In Consumer Reports’ tests, lead in plant-based products averaged nine times the level in dairy-based ones such as whey, and twice the level in beef-based ones. It advised against consuming two powders outright, Naked Nutrition’s Mass Gainer at 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving and Huel’s Black Edition at 6.3 micrograms.
For scale, the FDA’s interim reference level for lead from food is 8.8 micrograms a day for women of childbearing age, and it includes a tenfold safety factor. An FDA spokesperson told Consumer Reports there is sufficient evidence that the 8.8 microgram benchmark should apply to all adults.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Independent testConsumer Reports tested 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes and found that for more than two-thirds, a single serving contained more lead than its food safety experts set as a daily limit, some by more than 10 times. Consumer Reports ↗
- Independent testIn Consumer Reports’ tests, lead in plant-based protein products averaged nine times the level in products made with dairy proteins such as whey, and twice the level in beef-based ones. Consumer Reports ↗
- Independent testConsumer Reports advised against consuming Naked Nutrition’s Mass Gainer powder, at 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving, and Huel’s Black Edition powder, at 6.3 micrograms. Consumer Reports ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA’s interim reference level for lead from food is 8.8 micrograms a day for females of childbearing age, and the FDA says it includes a 10x safety factor. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceAn FDA spokesperson told Consumer Reports there is sufficient evidence that the 8.8 micrograms per day benchmark should be applied to all adults. Consumer Reports, quoting the FDA ↗
- Independent testThe Clean Label Project reported in January 2025 that its protein powder testing detected arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, and that 47 percent of products exceeded at least one federal or state limit, including California Proposition 65. Clean Label Project ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.