Protein Powder Recalls & Lawsuits: 2025–2026 Tracker (FDA + Class Actions)
Jump To
- ⚖️ Lawsuit Tracker — heavy-metal class actions (Garden of Life, Jocko, Costco/Orgain, Quest)
- 🚨 FDA Recall Tracker — official recalls with lot numbers
- ❓ Recall vs. Lawsuit vs. Lead — how these three differ
📌 Quick Answer: What's Active Right Now?
One active FDA recall and three active class action lawsuits as of July 2026. The recall (Genepro Whey, Lot 250214) is for an undeclared milk allergen. The lawsuits — against Garden of Life, Jocko Fuel, and now Costco (Orgain) — all allege undisclosed heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) in plant/organic protein. None of the lawsuits is a recall; the products remain on sale, and the allegations are unproven. Details below.
⚖️ Heavy-Metal Lawsuit Tracker
Since late 2025, a wave of consumer class actions has targeted protein brands for allegedly failing to disclose heavy metals — primarily lead — in plant-based and organic protein products. Unlike a recall, a lawsuit does not pull a product from shelves; it is a civil claim that must work through the courts. We track each case below and link it to our full brand safety coverage.
| Filed | Target / Product | Core Allegation | Court / Firm | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | Costco / Orgain Organic Protein Powder | Undisclosed lead (67 ppb), cadmium, arsenic; false advertising & failure to disclose | W.D. Wash. (Seattle) · Hagens Berman | Pending | Read breakdown → |
| Mar 2026 | Quest Nutrition RTD Shakes | Alleged lead above Prop 65 limits in ready-to-drink shakes (independent testing) | LA County Superior Court | Coverage in progress | Article coming soon |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Jocko Fuel Mölk Protein (Chocolate Milkshake) | Lead 1.326 µg/serving (2.65× Prop 65 limit); failure to disclose; "Clean Fuel" marketing | Calif. federal court (Case 3:26-cv-791) | Pending | Read breakdown → |
| Dec 16, 2025 | Garden of Life Organic Plant-Based Protein | Undisclosed lead (2.76 µg/serving, ~564% over CR limit); false "clean & certified" claims | C.D. Cal. · DeHerrera v. Garden of Life (5:25-cv-03118) | Pending | Read breakdown → |
Allegations are unproven unless a court rules otherwise. Nothing here is legal advice. Aware of a case not listed? Contact us.
⚖️ Costco / Orgain Organic Protein Powder — Undisclosed Heavy Metals (Newest)
What This Is
A proposed class action filed July 7, 2026 alleging Costco sold Orgain Organic Protein Powder without disclosing lead, cadmium, and arsenic. This is a lawsuit, not a recall — the product remains on sale, Orgain says it is safe, and the allegations are unproven.
→ Read our full Costco/Orgain lawsuit breakdown, the testing data, and safer certified alternatives
🚨 FDA Recalls: 2025–2026 At a Glance
The table below covers every protein powder or protein supplement FDA recall we are tracking. Click the recall name to jump to full details.
| Date | Product | Brand | Reason | Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Genepro Whey 4th Gen Plasma Treated Protein — Unflavored, 225g (Lot 250214) | Genepro Protein, Inc. | Undeclared milk allergen — labeled "Dairy Free" but contains whey (milk protein) | Class I | Active |
Table updated February 2026. If you are aware of a recall not listed here, contact us.
Understanding FDA Recall Classes
Before diving into specific recalls, here is what each class actually means. This matters because the media often treats any recall as a crisis — but a Class III is categorically different from a Class I.
| Class | FDA Definition | What It Means Practically | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death | Stop using immediately. This is a genuine safety emergency. Life-threatening allergens, dangerous contamination levels, or serious adulteration. | IMMEDIATE |
| Class II | May cause temporary or medically reversible adverse consequences | Stop using and return the product. Risk is real but unlikely to be permanent or fatal in most people. | SOON |
| Class III | Not likely to cause adverse health consequences | Minor labeling or packaging issues. Often issued proactively. Lower urgency, but products should still not be used. | ROUTINE |
Important context: The FDA does not routinely test supplements before they reach store shelves. Unlike pharmaceuticals, protein powders can be sold without pre-market approval. This means recalls happen after a problem is discovered — through consumer complaints, manufacturer self-reporting, or FDA surveillance testing. The burden is on consumers to stay informed.
December 2025: Genepro Whey Protein — Class I Recall
🚨 Genepro Whey 4th Generation Plasma Treated Protein — Undeclared Milk Allergen
⚠️ Who Is at Risk
This recall only poses a risk to people with a diagnosed milk allergy. If you do not have a milk allergy, there is no health risk from this product. If you have a milk allergy and consumed this product, monitor for symptoms and contact your doctor. Lactose intolerance is different from a milk allergy — intolerant individuals may experience GI discomfort but are not at risk of anaphylaxis.
Why Was This Recalled?
The product is labeled "DAIRY FREE," "LACTOSE FREE," and "ALLERGEN FREE" on its front panel. In reality, the product contains whey protein — which is derived directly from milk and contains milk proteins (beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin) that trigger allergic reactions in people with milk allergies.
This is a fundamental contradiction: whey protein is, by definition, a dairy product. It cannot be dairy-free. The most likely explanation is that marketing copy describing another product (possibly a plant-based SKU) was accidentally applied to this product's label — a quality control failure that should have been caught before manufacturing.
Affected States
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WY
🚨 Immediate Actions If You Have This Product
- Check your packaging for Lot 250214 and Best By: 2-13-2027.
- Check the UPC: 850053365126.
- If your product matches, stop using it immediately — regardless of whether you have a milk allergy.
- Do not throw it away yet. Return it to the retailer for a full refund.
- If you have a milk allergy and already consumed this product, monitor for symptoms (hives, swelling, difficulty breathing). Seek emergency care if you experience any allergic reaction.
✅ How to Get a Refund
- Return to any retailer where purchased — most will accept returns on recalled products without a receipt.
- Amazon purchases: Contact Amazon customer service with FDA Event ID 98013 for an immediate refund.
- Contact Genepro directly:
Genepro Protein, Inc.
15000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513
Safer Alternatives If You Were Using Genepro
If you have a milk allergy and need a truly dairy-free protein:
- OWYN Pro Elite — pea protein, ranked #3 safest by Consumer Reports. Full safety analysis →
- Truvani Plant-Based Protein — pea, plant-based, Consumer Reports tested. Full analysis →
If you don't have a milk allergy and just want a well-tested protein:
- Dymatize ISO-100 — ranked #2 safest in Consumer Reports testing. Full analysis →
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey — ranked #5, widely available. Full analysis →
→ See all 134+ protein brands ranked by safety testing
Source: FDA Enforcement Report Event ID 98013 (December 11, 2025) | Read our full Genepro recall analysis →
Earlier Recalls: 2024 and Prior
📋 No protein powder recalls were identified in our monitoring period prior to December 2025 that remain relevant for consumer action. We will add historical entries as we expand this tracker.
Recalls vs. Lawsuits vs. Lead Contamination: What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion we see in search queries. An FDA recall, a class action lawsuit, and lead contamination are three separate things — and it is important to understand how they relate.
| FDA Recall | Class Action Lawsuit | Lead / Heavy Metal Contamination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Regulatory removal of a specific defective lot | Civil case by consumers alleging deception or failure to disclose | The underlying data — metals absorbed from soil during growing |
| Triggered by | Allergen mislabeling, pathogens, foreign objects, undeclared ingredients | Independent testing + marketing claims plaintiffs say are deceptive | Naturally occurring heavy metals — not a violation per se |
| Product pulled? | Yes — the affected lot is removed from sale | No — product stays on shelves unless a court orders otherwise | No — rarely a formal recall since no single supplement limit exists |
| Who tracks it | FDA enforcement database | Court filings (and this page) | Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, academic researchers |
| Where to check | This page ↑ | This page ↑ | Our lead testing database → |
Bottom line: A protein powder being "not recalled" does not mean it's free of lead or heavy metals. A lawsuit alleging lead is not the same as a recall — the product usually stays on sale. And elevated lead in a product does not automatically trigger either. These are parallel safety questions that require separate investigation. We cover all three on this site so you don't have to piece it together from multiple sources.
How We Monitor Recalls & Lawsuits
The FDA publishes a weekly Enforcement Report listing all new recalls across food, drugs, devices, and dietary supplements. We check this database monthly — and more frequently when news reports suggest an active supplement issue — and filter for any product that falls into the protein powder, protein supplement, or weight/sports nutrition category. For lawsuits, we monitor consumer-protection court filings and plaintiff-firm announcements for protein and supplement heavy-metal cases, then link each to our underlying brand safety coverage.
Our Monitoring Criteria
We include a recall or lawsuit on this tracker if the product is:
- A protein powder, protein shake, RTD protein drink, or protein supplement in any form
- A sports nutrition product marketed primarily for protein content
- A meal replacement with protein as a primary nutrient claim
- A collagen, creatine, or amino acid supplement (tracked separately where volume warrants)
We do not include recalls for unrelated supplement categories (vitamins, herbal products, weight loss pills) unless they are directly relevant to the protein supplement audience. If you want to search for all supplement recalls, use the FDA's full enforcement database directly.
Recall & Lawsuit FAQ
Q: What's the difference between a recall and a lawsuit?
An FDA recall is a regulatory action that removes a specific defective lot from sale — usually for allergen mislabeling or contamination. A class action lawsuit is a civil case filed by consumers alleging deception, most recently over undisclosed heavy metals. A lawsuit does not pull the product from shelves and does not mean the claims are proven — it means a court will decide.
Q: How do I know if my specific tub of protein powder is recalled?
Check the lot number on your packaging — usually printed or stamped on the bottom of the container or on the seal — and compare it against the lot numbers listed in this tracker. A recall affects specific production lots, not all products a brand makes. If your lot number is different from what's listed, your product is not affected by that recall.
Q: Does a recall or lawsuit mean the protein powder has lead in it?
For recalls: usually no — most are for allergen mislabeling or contamination, not heavy metals. For the recent lawsuits (Garden of Life, Jocko, Costco/Orgain): yes, those specifically allege undisclosed lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Lead contamination is a chronic, low-level issue caused by soil absorption during ingredient growing, tracked in our lead testing database.
Q: Are protein powder recalls common?
Less common than most people assume. Given that tens of millions of Americans use protein supplements regularly, formal FDA recalls are relatively infrequent. When they do happen, they are most often Class I allergen mislabeling issues — serious for allergy sufferers, but not a risk to the general population.
Q: Can I still buy a brand even if one of their products was recalled or sued?
Generally yes, as long as you are not buying a specific recalled lot. A single-lot recall reflects a quality control failure in one production run. A lawsuit is an unproven allegation. Both should factor into how you evaluate a brand's quality standards. For broader brand safety evaluations, see our brand safety rankings.
Q: What should I do if I've already consumed a recalled protein powder?
First, assess whether you are in the at-risk population for the specific recall reason. For allergen mislabeling recalls: if you don't have the allergy in question, you are not at risk. If you do have the allergy and consumed the product, contact your doctor immediately and monitor for symptoms. For contamination-based recalls, the FDA's press release for that specific recall will outline appropriate health steps.
Q: How often is this page updated?
We check the FDA enforcement database monthly and monitor new protein-related class actions as they are filed. We update this page whenever a new recall or lawsuit falls within our monitoring criteria. The date of our last update is shown in the banner at the top of this page. If you know of a recall or case that is not listed here, please contact us.
Concerned About Lead in Your Protein Powder?
Recalls and lawsuits are two pieces of the supplement safety picture. Lead and heavy metal contamination is the underlying issue behind the recent wave of cases. We've tested and ranked 134+ brands so you don't have to guess.
See Complete Safety Rankings →Related Articles
Sources & References:
- FDA Enforcement Report: Event ID 98013 — Genepro Whey Protein Recall (December 11, 2025)
- FDA Enforcement Reports Database (accessed February 2026)
- Hagens Berman — Consumer Lawsuit Against Costco Alleges Toxic Heavy Metals in Orgain Protein Supplements (filed July 7, 2026, W.D. Wash.)
- DeHerrera v. Garden of Life LLC, Case No. 5:25-cv-03118, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (filed December 16, 2025)
- Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), 2004
- FDA Recall Classification Guidance: 21 CFR Part 7
Last Updated: July 9, 2026 | Next Review: August 2026