Is SIXSTAR Protein Powder Safe? Lead Testing & Safety Analysis 2026
❓ Direct Answer: Is SIXSTAR Protein Safe?
Unknown. SIXSTAR Protein has no independent heavy metal testing from Consumer Reports or Clean Label Project. Despite being MuscleTech's budget line (whose Mass Gainer ranked #1 safest), SIXSTAR itself has not been verified. Verified alternatives exist at a similar price point.
How We Analyzed SIXSTAR Protein
Independent Data Source: 2025/2026 Testing Data from Consumer Reports & Clean Label Project
Our 4-Step Safety Protocol:
- Source: We aggregate verified data from third-party labs (Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, NSF).
- Benchmark: Contamination is measured against California Prop 65 safe harbor levels (0.5 µg/day lead).
- Categorize: Products are ranked as Safe, Limit Use, or Avoid based on toxic accumulation.
- Recommend: If a brand fails, we provide verified-clean alternatives that fit your budget.
✓ 100% Independent: Clean Protein List accepts no brand sponsorships or payments for rankings.
Analysis verified by US Military Veteran & Supplement Safety Researcher, Ray Rothwell.
⚠️ SIXSTAR HAS NO INDEPENDENT SAFETY TESTING
- ❌ Not tested by Consumer Reports (MuscleTech Mass Gainer was, Six Star wasn't)
- ❌ No Clean Label Project certification
- ❌ No NSF Certified for Sport verification
- ❌ No third-party heavy metal testing
- ⚠️ Made by same company as #1 safest protein, but different product line with no verification
Quick Answer: Is SIXSTAR Protein Safe?
Unknown. Six Star Pro Nutrition has zero independent testing for heavy metals including lead.
What we know:
- ✅ MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer ranked #1 safest protein tested (lead not detected)
- ❌ Six Star Pro Nutrition is MuscleTech's budget line but was NOT tested by Consumer Reports
- ❌ Six Star has no Clean Label Project certification
- ❌ Six Star has no NSF or Informed Choice verification
- ⚠️ Same parent company (Iovate) ≠ same quality controls or testing
Bottom line: Six Star being "made by MuscleTech" doesn't mean it's tested safe. MuscleTech's premium Mass Gainer was verified clean, but Six Star's budget formulation has no independent verification.
Six Star vs MuscleTech: Testing Status
Six Star vs MuscleTech: What's the Difference?
Many consumers assume Six Star is just "cheaper MuscleTech" with the same quality. This is not accurate.
| Factor | MuscleTech Premium Line | Six Star Budget Line |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Iovate Health Sciences | Iovate Health Sciences |
| Consumer Reports Testing | ✅ Tested (#1 ranked, lead not detected) | ❌ NOT tested |
| Clean Label Certification | ❌ Not certified | ❌ Not certified |
| NSF/Informed Choice | ❌ Not certified | ❌ Not certified |
| Price per Serving | $0.85 (Mass Gainer) | $0.60 (30% cheaper) |
| Target Market | Supplement stores, fitness enthusiasts | Walmart/Sam's Club, budget shoppers |
| Protein Quality | Premium whey concentrate/isolate blends | Budget whey concentrate-focused |
| Formulation | Higher protein density, more isolate | More filler ingredients, less isolate |
Key insight: MuscleTech's #1 safety ranking applies ONLY to MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer. Six Star is a separate product line with different formulations and no independent testing.
Why "Made by MuscleTech" Doesn't Guarantee Safety
⚠️ The Budget Brand Problem
Consumer logic: "Six Star is made by MuscleTech, and MuscleTech ranked #1 safest, so Six Star must be safe too."
Reality: Budget lines cut costs somewhere. That "somewhere" could be:
- Cheaper ingredient sourcing → Different whey suppliers with less quality control
- Less testing → Premium products get batch testing, budget products might not
- Different manufacturing facilities → Budget lines may use separate production lines
- Lower quality thresholds → Acceptable contamination limits may differ between product tiers
Real-World Example: Why Same Company ≠ Same Safety
Consumer Reports tested products from the same parent companies with drastically different results:
| Parent Company | Premium Product Result | Budget Product Result |
|---|---|---|
| Glanbia PLC | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard: #5 safe (56% over, safe daily) | Body Fortress: Not CR tested, Clean Label only |
| Post Holdings | Premier Protein RTD: #9 safe (119% over, safe daily) | Premier Protein Powder: Not CR tested until Jan 2026 |
| CytoSport (PepsiCo) | Muscle Milk RTD: #19 unsafe (374% over, max 1x/week) | Muscle Milk Powder: Not CR tested |
Pattern: Even within the same brand family, different products can have vastly different safety profiles. You cannot assume untested products inherit the safety rating of tested ones.
What Consumer Reports Actually Tested
Consumer Reports tested 28 protein powders total (Oct 2025 + Jan 2026). Here's what they tested from Iovate (MuscleTech parent company):
MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer (TESTED)
Consumer Reports Rank: #1 of 28
Lead Level: Not detected (below detection threshold)
Safe consumption: Unlimited (no lead detected)
CR Guidance: "Better for daily consumption" ✅
Type: Whey concentrate + isolate mass gainer
Protein per serving: 80g (in 4-scoop serving)
Price: $0.85/serving
Available: GNC, Amazon, Bodybuilding.com, supplement stores
→ Read full MuscleTech Mass Gainer analysis
Buy MuscleTech Mass Gainer on Amazon →Six Star Pro Nutrition Whey Protein+ (NOT TESTED)
Consumer Reports Status: Not tested
Clean Label Status: Not certified
NSF/Informed Choice: Not certified
Lead Level: Unknown (no independent testing)
Type: Whey concentrate + isolate blend
Protein per serving: 32g
Price: $0.60/serving
Available: Walmart, Sam's Club exclusive
Status: No independent verification of heavy metal levels. 70% of proteins tested by Consumer Reports exceeded safe limits - without testing, Six Star's safety is unknown.
Six Star Product Line: What's NOT Tested
Six Star makes multiple protein products, NONE of which have independent heavy metal testing:
| Product | Protein/Serving | Price/Serving | Testing Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six Star Whey Protein+ | 32g | $0.60 | ❌ Not tested |
| Six Star 100% Whey Isolate | 30g | $0.70 | ❌ Not tested |
| Six Star Elite Series Whey | 30g | $0.65 | ❌ Not tested |
| Six Star Protein Gainer | 32g | $0.55 | ❌ Not tested |
| Six Star Casein Protein | 24g | $0.70 | ❌ Not tested |
Without testing, we have no idea if any Six Star products are safe for daily use.
Why Six Star Likely Has Higher Lead Risk Than MuscleTech
Budget proteins tend to have higher contamination risk. Here's why Six Star may be riskier than MuscleTech premium products:
1. Cheaper Ingredient Sourcing
Premium MuscleTech products:
- Source whey from verified tier-1 processors
- Pay premium for quality-tested ingredients
- Batch test raw materials before production
Budget Six Star products:
- Source whey from commodity suppliers to hit price targets
- Accept lower-grade whey with less quality assurance
- Likely skip expensive batch testing to maintain margins
2. Manufacturing Cost Cuts
Six Star needs to be 30% cheaper than MuscleTech ($0.60 vs $0.85/serving). Cost reductions include:
- Less whey isolate: More concentrate (cheaper but higher contamination risk)
- More filler ingredients: Maltodextrin, artificial flavors, thickeners
- Reduced quality control: Fewer testing checkpoints in production
- Lower protein density: More carbs/fat per serving to stretch whey further
3. Walmart's Price Pressure
Walmart demands rock-bottom pricing from suppliers. This creates pressure to:
- Source from cheapest whey suppliers (often overseas with less regulation)
- Minimize testing costs (heavy metal testing costs $150-500 per batch)
- Accept ingredient quality that would fail premium brand standards
🚨 The Budget Brand Contamination Pattern
Consumer Reports found budget brands tend to have higher contamination:
- Naked Nutrition (budget "clean label"): #23 worst (1,572% over limit)
- Huel Black Edition (budget meal replacement): #22 worst (1,288% over limit)
- Garden of Life (budget organic): #21 worst (564% over limit)
- Momentous 100% Plant (budget plant): #20 worst (476% over limit)
Pattern: "Clean label" marketing and budget pricing often correlate with WORSE contamination, not better.
Six Star vs Verified-Safe Budget Options
If you're shopping at Walmart for budget protein, there ARE verified-safe alternatives:
| Product | Price/Serving | Safety Verification | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six Star Whey Protein+ | $0.60 (cheapest) | ❌ No testing | Walmart only |
| Equate Whey Protein | $0.60 (tied cheapest) | ✅ Consumer Reports tested (Jan 2026, safe daily) | Walmart only |
| Body Fortress Super Advanced | $0.67 | ✅ Clean Label certified | Walmart, Amazon |
| ON Gold Standard | $0.75 | ✅ Consumer Reports #5 + Clean Label | Walmart, Amazon, everywhere |
| MuscleTech Mass Gainer | $0.85 | ✅ Consumer Reports #1 (lead not detected) | GNC, Amazon, supplement stores |
Key insight: Equate (Walmart's store brand) costs THE SAME as Six Star ($0.60/serving) but has Consumer Reports verification. If you're shopping at Walmart for budget protein, Equate is the verified-safe choice.
💰 Want Verified-Safe Budget Protein?
Equate costs $0.60/serving (same as Six Star) but tested safe by Consumer Reports in January 2026.
See Equate Testing Results →Should You Buy Six Star Protein Powder?
❌ Don't Buy Six Star If:
- You want verified safety: Six Star has no independent testing - you're gambling on contamination levels
- You use protein daily: 70% of tested proteins exceeded safe limits - daily use of untested protein is risky
- You're pregnant or have kids: Lead crosses placenta and affects developing brains - only use verified-safe proteins
- You assumed "made by MuscleTech" means tested: It doesn't - MuscleTech Mass Gainer was tested, Six Star wasn't
- There are safer options at the same price: Equate ($0.60/serving) is Consumer Reports verified safe
⚠️ Maybe Buy Six Star If:
- You only use protein 1-2x per week: Occasional use reduces cumulative lead exposure risk
- You're willing to gamble on safety: Understanding that 16 of 28 tested proteins (57%) exceeded safe daily limits
- Equate is out of stock: Six Star is the backup Walmart option, though Body Fortress ($0.67) is verified safer
- You're mixing in recipes: Baking/cooking where taste matters less and exposure is diluted
But even then: Why risk it when Equate costs the same and IS tested safe?
✅ Better Alternatives at Walmart
Equate Whey Protein Powder (Walmart Store Brand)
Why choose Equate over Six Star:
- Same price as Six Star ($0.60/serving)
- Consumer Reports tested (January 2026) and rated safe for daily use
- Walmart store brand - same convenience as Six Star
- Chocolate flavor is the new #1 safest chocolate protein (42% over limit, safe daily)
- Available in same Walmart aisle as Six Star
Price: $0.60/serving (SAME as Six Star)
Safety: Consumer Reports verified safe for daily consumption
Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey
Why choose Body Fortress:
- Clean Label Project "Clean Sixteen" certified (non-detectable heavy metals)
- Only $0.07 more than Six Star ($0.67 vs $0.60/serving)
- Available at Walmart and Amazon
- Third-party verification of safety
Price: $0.67/serving
What About MuscleTech's Other Products?
MuscleTech makes many products beyond Mass Gainer. Here's their testing status:
| MuscleTech Product | Consumer Reports Status | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer | ✅ #1 Safest (lead not detected) | BUY - Verified safe |
| MuscleTech Nitro-Tech | ❌ Not tested | CAUTION - No verification |
| MuscleTech Phase8 | ❌ Not tested | CAUTION - No verification |
| MuscleTech Platinum 100% Whey | ❌ Not tested | CAUTION - No verification |
| MuscleTech Cell-Tech | ❌ Not tested | CAUTION - No verification |
Important: Only MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer has independent testing verification. All other MuscleTech products (including Six Star line) lack third-party testing for heavy metals.
→ Read complete MuscleTech product line analysis
The "Made by MuscleTech" Marketing Problem
⚠️ How Six Star Markets MuscleTech's Reputation
Six Star packaging prominently features:
- "From the makers of MuscleTech"
- "Made by America's #1 selling bodybuilding supplement brand"
- "Quality you can trust from MuscleTech"
What this marketing DOESN'T tell you:
- ❌ Six Star is NOT the same product as MuscleTech premium line
- ❌ Six Star has NOT been tested by Consumer Reports
- ❌ Six Star has NO independent heavy metal verification
- ❌ MuscleTech's #1 safety ranking applies ONLY to Mass Gainer, not Six Star
This is misleading by omission. Consumers see "MuscleTech" and assume they're getting verified-safe protein. They're not.
Real User Questions About Six Star Safety
Q: Is Six Star protein powder safe for lead?
A: Unknown - Six Star has no independent testing for heavy metals. MuscleTech Mass Gainer ranked #1 safest (lead not detected), but Six Star is a separate budget line not tested by Consumer Reports or Clean Label Project. Without verification, safety cannot be confirmed. 70% of proteins tested by Consumer Reports exceeded safe limits, so untested products carry significant risk.
Q: Is Six Star made by MuscleTech?
A: Yes, Six Star Pro Nutrition is MuscleTech's budget line manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences (same parent company). However, being made by the same company doesn't mean Six Star uses the same formulation, ingredient sourcing, or quality controls as MuscleTech premium products. MuscleTech Mass Gainer was tested and ranked #1 safe, but Six Star products were not tested.
Q: Did Consumer Reports test Six Star protein powder?
A: No. Consumer Reports tested 28 protein powders (October 2025 + January 2026) including MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer (ranked #1, lead not detected) but did not test any Six Star products. Six Star also lacks Clean Label Project certification, NSF Certified for Sport, and Informed Choice verification.
Q: Can I assume Six Star is safe because MuscleTech ranked #1?
A: No. MuscleTech's #1 safety ranking applies ONLY to MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer, not to Six Star products. Budget product lines often use different ingredient suppliers, formulations, and quality controls than premium lines. Consumer Reports found wildly different safety levels even within the same brand families (e.g., Premier Protein RTD was safe, but powder version wasn't tested until Jan 2026).
Q: What's the cheapest verified-safe protein at Walmart?
A: Equate Whey Protein Powder (Walmart's store brand) at $0.60/serving - the SAME price as Six Star but with Consumer Reports verification (tested January 2026, rated safe for daily use). Equate's chocolate flavor is now the #1 safest chocolate protein tested (42% over limit, still safe daily). Body Fortress is the second-cheapest verified option at $0.67/serving with Clean Label certification.
Q: Is Six Star protein good quality?
A: Mixed reviews on quality, unknown on safety. Users report Six Star mixes decently, tastes acceptable for the price, and provides adequate protein (32g per serving). However, "good quality" should include safety verification - which Six Star lacks. For the same $0.60/serving, Equate offers verified safety plus similar quality. For $0.07 more, Body Fortress offers Clean Label certification.
Q: Should I switch from Six Star to MuscleTech Mass Gainer?
A: Yes, if safety is your priority. MuscleTech Mass Gainer is the ONLY protein Consumer Reports found with completely undetectable lead levels (#1 of 28 tested). It costs $0.85/serving vs Six Star's $0.60/serving ($0.25 more = $7.50/month for daily use). The price premium buys you verified safety - lead completely below detection threshold. However, it's a mass gainer (80g protein per 4-scoop serving, high calories), not a standard protein powder.
Q: Does Six Star have any third-party certifications?
A: No. Six Star products lack Consumer Reports testing, Clean Label Project certification, NSF Certified for Sport, and Informed Choice verification. The only "testing" is MuscleTech's internal quality control, which provides no transparency about heavy metal levels. Without independent third-party testing, consumers have no way to verify safety claims.
Q: Is Six Star safe for daily use?
A: Unknown due to lack of testing. Consumer Reports found that 16 of 28 tested proteins (57%) exceeded safe limits for daily use. Without testing data, you're gambling that Six Star falls in the 43% of proteins safe for daily consumption. Given that budget proteins tend to have higher contamination (Naked Nutrition #23, Huel #22, Garden of Life #21), the risk is higher for untested budget brands like Six Star.
Q: What's the difference between Six Star Whey Protein+ and Elite Series?
A: Marketing and minor formulation tweaks. Six Star Whey Protein+ ($0.60/serving) is the base product with 32g protein. Elite Series ($0.65/serving) adds premium positioning and slightly different flavor systems. Neither has independent safety testing. Both are budget whey concentrate blends. The price difference doesn't reflect safety verification - Equate at $0.60/serving has Consumer Reports testing that both Six Star products lack.
Q: Why doesn't Six Star get tested like MuscleTech?
A: Consumer Reports selects products based on market share, brand recognition, and consumer interest. MuscleTech is a premium brand sold nationwide in supplement stores. Six Star is a Walmart-exclusive budget brand with lower market share. Consumer Reports tested 28 of the most popular proteins - Six Star didn't make the cut. This doesn't mean Six Star is safe or unsafe, just that it lacks independent verification.
Q: Can I trust Six Star's "quality tested" claims?
A: "Quality tested" is vague marketing language. It likely means basic quality control (protein content, bacterial contamination) but doesn't specify heavy metal testing. True safety verification requires third-party independent testing (Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, NSF) with published results. Six Star's internal "testing" provides no transparency about lead, arsenic, cadmium, or mercury levels.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy Six Star?
Six Star Pro Nutrition: Final Verdict
Six Star is NOT verified safe for heavy metals.
| Factor | Six Star Status |
|---|---|
| Consumer Reports Testing | ❌ NOT tested |
| Clean Label Certification | ❌ NOT certified |
| NSF/Informed Choice | ❌ NOT verified |
| Price Advantage | ✅ $0.60/serving (tied cheapest) |
| MuscleTech Connection | ⚠️ Same parent company, different product line |
| Safety Verification | ❌ NONE - unknown contamination risk |
Our Recommendation
❌ Don't Buy Six Star When Better Options Exist
Instead of Six Star ($0.60/serving, untested):
BEST: Equate Whey Protein - $0.60/serving (SAME PRICE)
- ✅ Consumer Reports tested (January 2026)
- ✅ Rated safe for daily consumption
- ✅ Chocolate flavor = new #1 safest chocolate protein
- ✅ Available at same Walmart store as Six Star
- ✅ Walmart store brand (same convenience factor)
SECOND BEST: Body Fortress - $0.67/serving (+$0.07)
- ✅ Clean Label Project "Clean Sixteen" certified
- ✅ Non-detectable heavy metal levels verified
- ✅ Available at Walmart and Amazon
- ✅ Only $2.10 more per month for verified safety
PREMIUM: MuscleTech Mass Gainer - $0.85/serving (+$0.25)
- ✅ Consumer Reports #1 safest (lead not detected)
- ✅ Made by same company as Six Star but actually tested
- ✅ Zero detectable contamination
- ✅ Only $7.50 more per month for #1 safety rating
Related Articles
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- Consumer Reports: "Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead" (October 14, 2025)
- Consumer Reports: "5 More Protein Powders Tested" (January 8, 2026)
- Clean Label Project: Protein Powder Testing Database
- Iovate Health Sciences: Six Star Pro Nutrition Product Line
- Amazon: User reviews (Six Star: 12,000+ reviews, 4.4/5 stars)