Orgain Organic Protein Powder Lead Levels: Consumer Reports Testing Results (2025)
⚠️ Orgain Testing Results:
"Organic" and "USDA Certified" don't mean heavy metal safe. Orgain proves premium organic branding doesn't prevent contamination.
📊 Quick Answer: Is Orgain Safe?
No. Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder contains 0.72 µg lead per serving - 143% over California's Prop 65 safe harbor limit (0.5 µg/day).
Consumer Reports ranking: #12 out of 23 tested products. This places Orgain in the "contaminated" category - not safe for daily use.
The organic paradox: USDA Organic certification tests for pesticides, not heavy metals. Orgain's organic status didn't prevent lead contamination from soil.
📋 Table of Contents
Consumer Reports Testing Results: Ranked #12
In October 2025, Consumer Reports tested Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder (Chocolate) for heavy metal contamination.
The Numbers
| Metric | Orgain Result | Safe Limit (Prop 65) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead per serving | 0.72 µg | 0.5 µg/day | ⚠️ 143% OVER |
| Ranking | #12 of 23 | N/A | ⚠️ Contaminated category |
| Times over safe limit | 1.43x | 1x | ⚠️ Moderate contamination |
| Consumer Reports rating | Not recommended for daily use | N/A | ⚠️ Switch to safer option |
See the complete lead in protein powders list for 2025
Context: Where #12 Sits in the Rankings
| Category | Ranks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SAFE | Ranks 1-7 | Lead below detection or under safe limits |
| MINIMALLY OVER | Ranks 8-11 | 2-18% over limit (finish container, then switch) |
| CONTAMINATED | Ranks 12-19 (Orgain is here) | 143-365% over limit (switch within weeks) |
| DANGEROUS | Ranks 20-23 | 476-1,572% over limit (stop immediately) |
Orgain sits in the middle of the "contaminated" tier. Not as extreme as the worst products (Naked Nutrition #23, Huel #22), but significantly over safe limits.
⚠️ What "143% Over Limit" Means
California Prop 65 safe harbor limit: 0.5 µg lead per day.
Orgain delivers: 0.72 µg per serving.
You're consuming 1.43x the amount of lead that's considered "safe" for daily exposure. While not as egregiously contaminated as ranks #20-23, this still results in lead accumulation with daily use.
Over months and years, even "moderate" contamination causes health problems.
Why "Organic" Doesn't Mean Lead-Free: The Certification Gap
Orgain's contamination reveals a critical misunderstanding about organic certification.
What USDA Organic DOES Test
✅ USDA Organic Tests For:
- Synthetic pesticides and herbicides
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Synthetic fertilizers
- Antibiotics (in animal products)
- Growth hormones
- Prohibited food additives
❌ USDA Organic Does NOT Test For:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Any naturally-occurring heavy metals
- Soil contamination levels
The gap is clear: Organic certification prevents synthetic contamination, NOT natural contamination.
Why Organic Products Often Have MORE Lead
Clean Label Project found that organic plant proteins had 3x MORE lead than conventional. Here's why:
1. Increased Soil Interaction
Organic farming encourages beneficial soil microbes and natural nutrient cycling. This ALSO increases plant uptake of heavy metals naturally present in soil. More soil-plant interaction = more metal absorption.
2. Organic Fertilizers Contain Metals
Permitted organic inputs include compost, manure, bone meal, and rock phosphate. These can contain trace heavy metals that accumulate in soil over time.
3. Legacy Contamination Persists
Converting conventional farmland to organic doesn't remove decades of accumulated soil heavy metals. Lead persists in soil for 100+ years.
4. No Heavy Metal Testing Required
USDA Organic audits check farming practices, not end-product heavy metal levels. A product can be "certified organic" with high lead contamination.
🚫 The "Clean Organic" Marketing Trap
Orgain's marketing heavily emphasizes:
- "USDA Organic Certified"
- "Clean Nutrition"
- "No artificial anything"
- "Better for you, better for the planet"
This creates the impression of purity and safety. But organic certification is about PESTICIDES, not HEAVY METALS.
Orgain's 0.72 µg lead came from organic plants grown in organic soil - exactly as certified. The contamination is "natural" and "organic" too.
Organic Plant Protein Contamination Pattern
| Brand | Organic Status | Lead Level | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant | USDA Organic | 2.82 µg | #21 |
| Orgain Organic Plant-Based | USDA Organic | 0.72 µg | #12 |
| Vega Organic Products | USDA Organic | 0.93-1.83 µg | #16, #18, #19 |
| OWYN Pro Elite | NOT Organic | Below detection | #7 (SAFE) |
Pattern: All USDA Organic plant proteins tested FAILED safety standards.
The ONLY safe plant protein (OWYN) is NOT organic. It's conventionally grown with rigorous heavy metal testing.
Health Impact of 0.72 µg Lead Daily
Is 0.72 µg "that bad" compared to the worst products?
Perspective: Orgain vs Extremes
✅ Clean Brands
0-0.1 µg lead
MuscleTech, Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize
Safe for unlimited daily use
⚠️ Orgain
0.72 µg lead
143% over safe limit
Health effects accumulate over months/years
🚫 Worst Brands
2.82-7.86 µg lead
Garden of Life Plant, Huel, Naked Nutrition
Serious health risks within months
Orgain is better than the worst products, but that's not the right comparison.
The right comparison: Orgain (0.72 µg) vs Safe brands (0-0.1 µg) = 7-10x more lead.
Cumulative Exposure Calculator
If you consume Orgain daily at 0.72 µg lead per serving:
| Time Period | Total Lead Exposure | Health Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 21.6 µg | Low - minimal symptoms |
| 3 months | 64.8 µg | Moderate - early symptoms possible |
| 6 months | 129.6 µg | Moderate-High - likely measurable effects |
| 1 year | 262.8 µg | High - health consequences probable |
| 2 years | 525.6 µg | Very High - significant damage likely |
Lead accumulates in bones with a 10-30 year half-life. Even "moderate" daily contamination results in substantial total burden over years.
Potential Health Effects Timeline
Months 1-6: Subtle Effects
- Occasional fatigue
- Mild brain fog
- Usually attributed to other causes
Months 6-12: Noticeable Symptoms
- Persistent fatigue
- Concentration difficulties
- Mild digestive issues
- Blood lead levels become elevated
1-2 Years: Measurable Damage
- Cognitive effects (memory, processing speed)
- Blood pressure elevation
- Kidney function decline
- Increased cardiovascular disease risk
⚠️ The Moderate Contamination Trap
Orgain isn't "extremely dangerous" like ranks #20-23. This can create false reassurance.
But 143% over the safe limit IS dangerous with long-term use. It's just slower poisoning rather than immediate crisis.
The safe approach: Switch to verified-clean protein (0-0.1 µg lead) and eliminate the risk entirely.
Which Orgain Products Were Tested?
Consumer Reports ONLY tested Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder (Chocolate flavor).
Orgain Product Line Safety Status
| Product | Testing Status | Likely Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Plant-Based Protein (Chocolate) | ✓ Tested by CR | ⚠️ CONFIRMED CONTAMINATED (#12, 0.72 µg) |
| Organic Plant-Based Protein (Vanilla) | Not tested | ⚠️ HIGH RISK (same protein source, less cadmium) |
| Organic Plant-Based Protein (Other flavors) | Not tested | ⚠️ HIGH RISK (same plant protein base) |
| Organic Protein RTD Shakes | Not tested | ⚠️ UNKNOWN (likely similar to powder) |
| Grass-Fed Whey Protein | Not tested | ❓ UNKNOWN (whey generally safer, but not verified) |
| Collagen Peptides | Not tested | ❓ UNKNOWN (different protein source) |
Assessment: All Orgain plant-based products likely have similar contamination since they use the same organic pea/brown rice protein blend. Whey and collagen products have unknown status.
How Orgain Compares to Other Brands
Plant-Based Protein Comparison
| Brand | Lead Level | Rank | % Over Limit | Price/Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OWYN Pro Elite | Below detection | #7 | ✅ Safe | $2.25 |
| Orgain Organic Plant | 0.72 µg | #12 | 143% | $1.75 |
| Vega Sport Premium | 0.93 µg | #16 | 186% | $2.80 |
| Momentous Plant Protein | 2.38 µg | #20 | 476% | $2.30 |
| Garden of Life Sport Plant | 2.82 µg | #21 | 564% | $2.40 |
| Huel Black Edition | 6.44 µg | #22 | 1,288% | $3.00 |
| Naked Nutrition Vegan | 7.86 µg | #23 | 1,572% | $2.50 |
Key insights:
- OWYN is the ONLY safe plant protein - all others failed
- Orgain is "middle of the pack" for plant proteins - not worst, but not safe
- Price doesn't predict safety - Huel ($3.00) is 9x more contaminated than Orgain ($1.75)
- Organic certification doesn't help - both organic brands (Orgain, Garden of Life) are contaminated
Orgain vs Safe Whey Proteins
| Brand | Lead Level | Rank | Price/Serving | Value vs Orgain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MuscleTech NitroTech | NOT DETECTED | #1 | $3.00 | Infinitely safer, 1.7x cost |
| Dymatize ISO 100 | Below detection | #2 | $1.25 | Infinitely safer, 28% cheaper |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold | Below detection | #5 | $0.75 | Infinitely safer, 57% cheaper |
| Body Fortress Whey | Non-detect | Clean Label | $0.67 | Infinitely safer, 62% cheaper |
| Orgain Plant-Based | 0.72 µg | #12 | $1.75 | Reference point |
Reality check: Safe whey proteins cost LESS than contaminated Orgain.
Optimum Nutrition and Body Fortress are both cheaper AND infinitely safer than Orgain. You're paying premium for organic certification that doesn't protect against heavy metals.
Verified-Safe Alternatives to Orgain
For Plant-Based/Vegan Users
OWYN Pro Elite Plant Protein
Lead Level: Below detection limits
Ranking: #7 (Consumer Reports verified safe)
Price: ~$2.25/serving
Protein Source: Pea protein
Why it's the only choice: Every other tested plant protein failed safety standards. OWYN uses premium sourcing + rigorous heavy metal testing to achieve the only verified-safe plant protein.
vs Orgain: Infinitely safer (below detection vs 0.72 µg), slightly higher cost ($0.50 more per serving), but worth it for zero health risk.
Buy OWYN Pro Elite (Only Safe Plant Protein) →For Organic/Grass-Fed Seekers
Garden of Life Grass Fed Whey
Lead Level: Non-detectable (Clean Label certified)
Certification: Clean Label Project "Clean Sixteen"
Price: ~$1.85/serving
Features: USDA Organic, Grass-Fed, Non-GMO
Perfect for organic buyers: Proves organic CAN be safe - when using whey instead of plant protein. All the organic certifications you want, plus verified heavy metal safety.
vs Orgain: Similar price ($0.10 more), but whey-based and Clean Label certified with non-detectable lead.
Note: Garden of Life's PLANT protein (#21) is highly contaminated. Their WHEY protein is safe. Different protein sources = dramatically different safety.
For Budget-Conscious Buyers
Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey
Lead Level: Non-detectable (Clean Label certified)
Certification: Clean Label "Clean Sixteen"
Price: ~$0.67/serving
Availability: Every Walmart
Best value in safe protein: 62% cheaper than Orgain AND infinitely safer. Proves you don't need to pay premium for safety.
vs Orgain: $1.08 less per serving = save $32/month if using daily. Clean Label certified. Available everywhere.
Buy Body Fortress (Cheapest + Safe) →For Premium Quality
Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate
Lead Level: Below detection limits
Ranking: #2 in Consumer Reports
Certifications: Dual verified (CR + Clean Label)
Price: ~$1.25/serving
Premium without the contamination: Hydrolyzed for fastest absorption, 99% pure isolate, dual independent verification.
vs Orgain: 29% cheaper ($0.50 less per serving) AND infinitely safer. Premium quality at a better price than contaminated Orgain.
Buy Dymatize ISO 100 (#2 Safest) →✅ Quick Decision Guide
Choose based on your priority:
- Must be plant-based: OWYN Pro Elite (only safe option)
- Want organic certification: Garden of Life Grass Fed Whey
- Budget matters most: Body Fortress ($0.67, safest AND cheapest)
- Want premium isolate: Dymatize ISO 100 (#2 ranked)
- Best overall value: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard ($0.75, #5 ranked)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Orgain protein powder contain lead?
Yes. Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder contains 0.72 µg of lead per serving according to Consumer Reports October 2025 testing. This is 143% over California's Prop 65 safe harbor limit (0.5 µg/day). Orgain ranked #12 out of 23 tested proteins.
Is Orgain protein powder safe?
No, not for daily use. At 143% over safe limits (0.72 µg vs 0.5 µg), Orgain poses health risks with regular consumption. While not as extremely contaminated as the worst products, daily use over months and years will result in lead accumulation and potential health effects. Consumer Reports does not recommend it.
Why does organic Orgain have lead if it's USDA Organic certified?
USDA Organic certification does NOT test for heavy metals. Organic certification only tests for synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and prohibited substances - not naturally-occurring soil contaminants like lead.
Lead in Orgain comes from soil where organic plants are grown. In fact, Clean Label Project found organic plant proteins had 3x MORE lead than conventional because organic farming practices can increase soil-to-plant metal transfer.
Organic = pesticide-free. Organic ≠ heavy metal-free.
Are all Orgain products contaminated?
Only Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder (chocolate) was tested and confirmed contaminated. Other products were NOT independently tested:
- Other plant-based flavors: Likely similar contamination (same protein source)
- Grass-Fed Whey: Unknown, but whey generally 10-15x safer than plant protein
- Collagen, RTD shakes: Unknown contamination levels
Without testing verification, only the chocolate plant-based powder is confirmed unsafe.
What should I use instead of Orgain?
Verified-safe alternatives based on your needs:
- Plant-based: OWYN Pro Elite (#7, only safe plant protein)
- Organic: Garden of Life Grass Fed Whey (Clean Label certified)
- Budget: Body Fortress ($0.67/serving, Clean Label certified)
- Premium: Dymatize ISO 100 (#2, dual verified)
How does Orgain compare to other plant proteins?
Orgain (0.72 µg, #12) is middle-tier for plant protein contamination:
- Better than: Naked Nutrition (7.86 µg, #23), Huel (6.44 µg, #22), Garden of Life Plant (2.82 µg, #21)
- Worse than: OWYN Pro Elite (below detection, #7 - the ONLY safe plant protein)
All tested plant proteins except OWYN failed safety standards. If you need plant-based, OWYN is your only verified-safe option.
Does Orgain have other heavy metals besides lead?
Consumer Reports primarily tested for lead. However, plant-based proteins typically also contain:
- Arsenic (especially rice-based proteins, absorbed from soil)
- Cadmium (especially chocolate flavors from cocoa beans)
Orgain's chocolate plant-based formula likely contains multiple heavy metals, though specific cadmium and arsenic levels weren't reported in the Consumer Reports study.
Can I still use Orgain occasionally?
At 143% over safe limits, Orgain is not recommended even for occasional use.
The 0.5 µg/day safe harbor limit is designed for daily exposure. Occasional use (2-3x per week) is lower risk than daily, but still results in lead accumulation.
Better approach: Switch to verified-safe protein (OWYN for plant-based, Body Fortress for budget, Dymatize for premium) that has no serving restrictions. If you already have Orgain, finish container with 2-3x weekly maximum, then switch.
The Bottom Line: Organic Doesn't Mean Safe
Key Takeaways:
- ⚠️ Orgain Organic Plant-Based ranked #12 - 143% over safe lead limit (0.72 µg)
- ⚠️ USDA Organic certification doesn't test for heavy metals - only pesticides
- ⚠️ Organic plant proteins had 3x MORE lead than conventional (Clean Label data)
- ⚠️ Not as extreme as worst products, but still unsafe for daily consumption
- ✅ Safe alternatives exist at every price point - many cheaper than Orgain
- ✅ OWYN Pro Elite is the only safe plant protein - verified by Consumer Reports
What To Do If You're Using Orgain:
- Assess your usage:
- Daily user? Order safe alternative today and switch within 1-2 weeks
- Occasional user (2-3x week)? Finish container, then switch
- Choose replacement based on priority:
- Must be plant-based: OWYN Pro Elite
- Want organic: Garden of Life Grass Fed Whey
- Budget matters: Body Fortress (62% cheaper + safer)
- Don't repurchase Orgain plant products - all flavors likely similar contamination
- Tell others: Share this info with friends using Orgain
Switch to Verified-Safe Alternatives:
💡 The Organic Protein Lesson
Orgain proves that premium organic branding ≠ heavy metal safety.
USDA Organic certification is valuable for pesticide avoidance. But it provides ZERO protection against lead, cadmium, arsenic, or mercury.
The only way to know protein is safe: Independent heavy metal testing by Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, or NSF.
Look for "Clean Label Certified" or "Consumer Reports Verified Safe" - not just "USDA Organic."
🔍 Find Your Orgain Alternative
Take our 60-second quiz to get personalized safe protein recommendations based on your dietary needs - all verified by independent testing.
Find Your Safe Protein →Sources:
- Consumer Reports, "Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead," October 2025. Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein tested at 0.72 µg lead per serving, ranked #12 of 23 products.
- Clean Label Project, "Protein Powder Study 2.0," 2023-2024. Organic plant proteins found to have 3x more lead than conventional proteins on average.
- California OEHHA, Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Levels. Lead threshold: 0.5 µg/day.
- USDA, "Organic Certification Standards." Documentation of what USDA Organic does and does not test for.