Lead in Protein Powder: Complete List of Tested Brands (Consumer Reports 2025)
Consumer Reports released bombshell testing results on October 14, 2025, revealing that several popular protein powder brands contain concerning levels of heavy metals, particularly lead. The independent lab testing examined over 30 protein supplements across whey, plant-based, and mixed formulations.
The findings have sent shockwaves through the fitness and health community, with searches for "lead in protein powder" spiking over 900% in the past 48 hours according to Google Trends data.
Key Findings from Consumer Reports Testing
The Consumer Reports investigation tested protein powders for four primary heavy metal contaminants:
- Lead: Neurotoxin that can damage the brain and nervous system, particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women
- Arsenic: Carcinogen linked to increased cancer risk with chronic exposure
- Cadmium: Kidney toxin that accumulates in the body over time
- Mercury: Neurotoxin that can affect brain development and function
Consumer Reports Testing Results: Complete Rankings
Consumer Reports tested products and categorized them by safety level. Here's the complete breakdown:
✅ Better for Daily Consumption (Safest - Ranks 1-7)
Rank | Brand | Product Type | Lead Level |
---|---|---|---|
1 | MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer | Gainer (whey blend) | Undetectable |
2 | Dymatize Super Mass Gainer | Gainer | Not disclosed |
3 | Momentous Whey Protein Isolate | Whey isolate | Not disclosed |
4 | BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder | Whey blend | Not disclosed |
5 | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey | Whey | Not disclosed |
6 | Transparent Labs Mass Gainer | Gainer | Not disclosed |
7 | OWYN Pro Elite High Protein Shake | Ready-to-drink (plant) | Not disclosed |
⚠️ OK Up to 5 Servings/Week (Ranks 8-9)
Rank | Brand | Product Type | Lead Level |
---|---|---|---|
8 | Ensure Plant-Based Protein Nutrition Shake | Ready-to-drink (plant) | Not disclosed |
9 | Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake | Ready-to-drink (dairy) | Not disclosed |
⚠️ Occasional/Limit Use (Ranks 10-13)
Rank | Brand | Product Type | Lead Level |
---|---|---|---|
10 | Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass | Gainer | Not disclosed |
11 | Jocko Fuel Mölk Protein Shake | Ready-to-drink | Not disclosed |
12 | MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass | Beef protein gainer | Not disclosed |
13 | Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein | Plant | Not disclosed |
🚫 Limit to Once Per Week (Ranks 14-15)
Rank | Brand | Product Type | Lead Level |
---|---|---|---|
14 | Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein | Plant | Not disclosed |
15 | Momentous 100% Plant Protein | Plant | Not disclosed |
❌ AVOID (Ranks 16-17 - Highest Contamination)
Rank | Brand | Product Type | Lead Level |
---|---|---|---|
16 | Huel Black Edition | Plant | 6.3 µg/serving |
17 | Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer | Plant gainer | 7.7 µg/serving |
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Take the Free Quiz →What Do These Heavy Metal Levels Mean for Your Health?
The health impact of heavy metals in protein powder depends on several factors:
Chronic vs. Acute Exposure
The danger isn't typically from a single serving, but from daily consumption over months or years. Heavy metals bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in your body faster than your body can eliminate them.
California Prop 65 Thresholds
Several protein powders exceeded California's Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose levels (MADLs) for lead. This threshold is set at 0.5 micrograms per day for reproductive harm. While exceeding this threshold doesn't guarantee harm, it indicates a level where the state of California believes warnings are warranted.
Most Vulnerable Populations
- Pregnant women: Lead can cross the placental barrier and affect fetal brain development
- Children and teens: Developing brains are more susceptible to neurotoxic effects
- Athletes using multiple servings daily: Higher consumption = higher exposure
- People using protein powder for years: Cumulative exposure increases risk
Why Do Protein Powders Contain Heavy Metals?
Understanding the source of contamination helps explain why some products test cleaner than others:
1. Soil Contamination (Primary Source for Plant Proteins)
Plants absorb heavy metals from soil naturally. Rice, pea, and hemp proteins are particularly susceptible because these plants are efficient at uptaking minerals - including toxic ones. This is why plant-based proteins consistently show higher contamination levels than whey.
2. Processing and Manufacturing
Equipment, water sources, and manufacturing environments can introduce additional contamination. Facilities that don't regularly test for heavy metals may unknowingly compound the problem.
3. Ingredient Sourcing
Where ingredients are grown matters enormously. Some agricultural regions have higher background levels of heavy metals due to industrial pollution, pesticide use, or naturally occurring deposits.
4. Lack of FDA Oversight
The FDA doesn't require pre-market approval for dietary supplements. Unlike pharmaceuticals, protein powders can be sold without proving they're safe or testing for contaminants. This creates a "wild west" scenario where only conscientious manufacturers invest in rigorous testing.
How to Choose a Safe Protein Powder
After analyzing the Consumer Reports data and reviewing third-party testing protocols, here are the most important factors to consider:
1. Look for Third-Party Certifications
These independent testing programs go beyond basic FDA requirements:
- NSF Certified for Sport: Tests for contaminants and banned substances. Arguably the gold standard.
- Informed Choice/Informed Sport: Regular batch testing for prohibited substances and contaminants.
- USP Verified: Tests for purity, potency, and contaminants.
- Clean Label Project: Specifically tests for heavy metals and publishes "Purity Awards."
2. Choose Whey Over Plant-Based (If You Can)
The data is clear: whey protein powders consistently show lower heavy metal levels than plant-based alternatives. If you're not vegan or lactose intolerant, whey is the safer choice from a contamination standpoint.
Best plant-based option if you need it: Look for pea protein sourced from North America or Europe (lower soil contamination) with third-party testing certificates.
3. Favor Minimal Ingredient Lists
Products with 1-2 ingredients (like "Naked Whey" which is literally just whey protein) have fewer contamination vectors. Every additional ingredient is another potential source of heavy metals.
4. Check for Transparency
Reputable brands publish their test results. Look for:
- Certificates of Analysis (COAs) available on their website
- Batch-specific testing (not just once-a-year testing)
- Third-party lab results, not just internal testing
- Clear sourcing information about where ingredients come from
5. Consider Grass-Fed and Organic Options
While not a guarantee, grass-fed whey and organic certifications indicate more careful sourcing practices. Organic standards prohibit certain pesticides that can introduce heavy metals into soil.
Brands That Tested Clean
Based on Consumer Reports data and our additional research, these brands consistently show low or undetectable heavy metal levels:
- Naked Whey: Single-ingredient grass-fed whey, batch tested, undetectable lead levels
- Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey: Third-party tested, publishes all results, Informed Choice certified
- Levels Grass Fed Whey: NSF Certified for Sport, used by professional athletes
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein (plant-based): One of the few plant proteins with consistently low results
- Nuzest Clean Lean Protein (plant-based): European pea protein, Informed Choice certified
What If You've Been Using a Contaminated Brand?
If you discover your protein powder showed elevated heavy metals in testing, here's what to do:
Don't Panic
A few months of exposure likely won't cause serious harm unless you were consuming multiple servings daily while pregnant or giving it to children. Heavy metal toxicity is primarily a concern with chronic, long-term exposure.
Switch to a Cleaner Brand
The most important action is switching to a product with better testing results going forward. Future exposure is what you can control.
Consider Getting Tested
If you've used 2+ servings daily for over a year, especially of a high-contamination brand, talk to your doctor about heavy metal testing. A simple blood test can measure current levels.
Support Your Body's Natural Detox
Your body naturally eliminates heavy metals over time. You can support this process by:
- Staying well-hydrated
- Eating foods rich in antioxidants (berries, leafy greens)
- Getting adequate fiber (helps bind and eliminate toxins)
- Consuming foods high in vitamin C and sulfur compounds
The Bigger Picture: Why This Testing Matters
The Consumer Reports investigation highlights a systemic problem in the supplement industry. Unlike food, which has strict FDA oversight, supplements operate in a regulatory gray zone.
The practical reality is that consumers must become their own quality control inspectors. This means:
- Researching brands before purchasing
- Looking for third-party testing certifications
- Paying attention to news like the Consumer Reports study
- Being willing to pay more for properly tested products
The good news? Clean protein powder options exist. You just need to know what to look for.
Find Your Perfect Clean Protein Powder
Answer 5 quick questions and we'll recommend the safest options based on your dietary preferences, fitness goals, and budget.
Start Free Quiz (60 seconds) →Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I stop using protein powder completely?
A: Not necessarily. Many brands test clean for heavy metals. The solution isn't to abandon protein powder, but to choose brands with rigorous testing protocols.
Q: Are plant-based protein powders always more contaminated?
A: Generally yes, because plants absorb heavy metals from soil. However, some plant proteins (like Garden of Life and Nuzest) use careful sourcing and testing to achieve low contamination levels.
Q: Is organic protein powder safer?
A: Not automatically. "Organic" refers to pesticide and fertilizer use, not heavy metal content. However, organic certification often correlates with more careful sourcing practices, which can indirectly lead to lower contamination.
Q: Can I trust brands that say "third-party tested"?
A: Look for specific certifications (NSF, Informed Choice, USP) rather than vague claims. Real third-party testing comes with certification logos and verifiable batch numbers.
Q: How often should I use protein powder?
A: Even with clean brands, moderation is wise. Try to get most of your protein from whole foods and use powder as a supplement, not a primary protein source. One serving per day is reasonable for most people.
Q: Are expensive protein powders always cleaner?
A: Not always, but there's a correlation. Third-party testing and premium sourcing cost money. The cheapest options rarely invest in comprehensive contamination testing.
Final Thoughts
The Consumer Reports protein powder investigation is a wake-up call for the supplement industry and consumers alike. Heavy metal contamination is real, measurable, and concerning - but it's also avoidable with informed choices.
The most important takeaways:
- Multiple popular protein powder brands contain elevated heavy metal levels
- Plant-based proteins generally show higher contamination than whey
- Third-party certifications (NSF, Informed Choice) are your best guarantee of safety
- Transparency matters - brands that publish test results are more trustworthy
- You don't need to stop using protein powder, just choose cleaner brands
We built Clean Protein List to help you navigate these choices quickly. Our quiz takes your current brand, dietary preferences, and concerns into account to recommend the safest options backed by testing data.
Sources:
- Consumer Reports: "Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead" (October 14, 2025)
- California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment: Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Levels
- NSF International: Certified for Sport Testing Protocols
- Clean Label Project: Protein Powder Testing Results Database
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through our recommendations, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with strong safety testing that we believe are genuinely cleaner alternatives.