Lead in Protein Powder: Complete List of Tested Brands (Consumer Reports 2025)

Published October 16, 2025 | Updated from Consumer Reports October 14, 2025 testing | 8 min read
⚠️ Breaking News: Consumer Reports just published results from testing 23 leading protein powders for heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Multiple popular brands showed elevated contamination levels. This article breaks down which brands are safe and which ones you should avoid.

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:

Important Context: Heavy metals occur naturally in soil and can be absorbed by plants. This means plant-based protein powders often show higher levels than whey proteins. However, rigorous testing and sourcing practices can significantly reduce contamination levels.

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
Key Finding: Notice that ranks 1-6 are all whey-based proteins or gainers. OWYN (#7) is the ONLY plant-based option rated "Better for daily consumption."

⚠️ 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
Critical Finding: Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer had the highest lead contamination in the entire study at 7.7 µg per serving - that's 15.4x the California Prop 65 safe limit of 0.5 µg/day. Huel Black Edition was second-worst at 6.3 µg per serving.

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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

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:

Pro Tip: Certifications cost money, so they're more common in premium products. However, the $10-15 price premium is worth it if you consume protein powder daily.

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:

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:

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:

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:

The good news? Clean protein powder options exist. You just need to know what to look for.

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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:

  1. Multiple popular protein powder brands contain elevated heavy metal levels
  2. Plant-based proteins generally show higher contamination than whey
  3. Third-party certifications (NSF, Informed Choice) are your best guarantee of safety
  4. Transparency matters - brands that publish test results are more trustworthy
  5. 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.

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