Kirkland vs. Elevation Protein Lead Testing (2026 Update)
Budget Brand Verdict
Both Kirkland Signature (Costco) and Elevation (Aldi) remain UNTESTED for heavy metals in 2026. While they offer extreme value, their safety profile is currently unverified by Consumer Reports or Clean Label Project.
The Store Brand Dilemma
If you're shopping at Costco or Aldi, you're looking for the best protein-to-dollar ratio. However, store brands often keep costs low by using massive manufacturing contracts that don't always prioritize third-party heavy metal testing transparency.
🛒 Kirkland (Costco)
Source: Typically massive whey contracts.
The Risk: Unknown. Costco has high standards for food, but has not released lead data for their Signature Whey.
🛒 Elevation (Aldi)
Source: Often contains more fillers/creatine to boost protein nitrogen counts.
The Risk: Unknown. Budget brands are historically more likely to fail cadmium tests in chocolate flavors.
Verified Budget Alternatives (2026)
You don't have to guess. These two brands cost nearly the same as Kirkland or Elevation but have **verified** lab results.
Body Fortress Whey
$0.67/serving. Clean Label Project certified. The #1 alternative to Aldi Elevation.
View Analysis →ON Gold Standard
Dual-verified safe. Often sold at Costco right next to Kirkland.
Read Analysis →Summary: Is the Saving Worth the Risk?
If you shop at Costco, **skip the Kirkland Signature Whey** and grab the bag of **Optimum Nutrition** instead. The price difference is negligible when compared to the peace of mind of a dual-verified safety rating. For Aldi shoppers, switching from Elevation to **Body Fortress** (available at Walmart) provides the same budget price but with a verified "Clean 16" certification.