Vega vs Orgain Protein Powder: Which Plant Protein Is Safer? (Lead Testing 2025)
🚨 BOTH VEGA AND ORGAIN FAILED SAFETY TESTING
- ❌ Vega Premium Sport: Ranked #16 of 23 (185% over safe lead limit)
- ❌ Orgain Organic Plant-Based: Ranked #12 of 23 (143% over safe lead limit)
- ⚠️ Neither is safe for daily consumption
- ✅ OWYN Pro Elite (#7) is the ONLY plant protein verified safe for daily use
Quick Answer: Vega vs Orgain - Which Is Safer?
Neither Vega nor Orgain is safe for daily consumption according to Consumer Reports' October 2025 testing.
Orgain Organic Plant-Based ranked #12 with lead levels 143% over California's safe limit. Maximum safe consumption: 4-5 servings per week.
Vega Premium Sport ranked #16 with lead levels 185% over safe limit. Maximum safe consumption: 3-4 servings per week.
The only plant protein safe for daily use: OWYN Pro Elite ranked #7 with lead levels 88% over limit (still within acceptable range for daily consumption).
Consumer Reports Plant Protein Results
Vega vs Orgain: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Vega Premium Sport | Orgain Organic Plant-Based | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Reports Rank | #16 of 23 | #12 of 23 | Orgain (less contaminated) |
| Lead Level vs Safe Limit | 185% over (2.85x) | 143% over (2.43x) | Orgain (lower lead) |
| Max Safe Consumption | 3.75 servings/week | 4.75 servings/week | Orgain (slightly safer) |
| Price per Serving | $2.00 | $1.50 | Orgain (25% cheaper) |
| Protein per Serving | 30g | 21g | Vega (43% more protein) |
| Protein Source | Pea, pumpkin seed, alfalfa, organic sprouted whole grains | Pea, brown rice, chia seed | Tie (both multi-source) |
| Organic Certification | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (USDA Organic) | Orgain |
| Third-Party Testing | ❌ None | ❌ None | Tie (both unverified) |
| Safe for Daily Use? | ❌ No (3-4x/week max) | ❌ No (4-5x/week max) | Neither (both unsafe daily) |
Bottom line: Orgain is slightly safer than Vega (12% less lead contamination), but neither is safe for daily consumption. Both require frequency restriction to avoid exceeding California's safe lead exposure limits.
🌱 Want a Plant Protein Safe for Daily Use?
OWYN Pro Elite is the ONLY plant protein Consumer Reports rated safe for daily consumption.
See Why OWYN Is Different →Consumer Reports Testing Results: The Full Picture
Vega Premium Sport Plant-Based Protein
Vega Premium Sport - Moderate-High Risk
Consumer Reports Rank: #16 of 23 (Occasional use only)
Lead Level: 185% over safe limit (2.85x over 0.5 µg/day)
Estimated lead per serving: ~0.93 µg (safe limit: 0.5 µg/day)
Maximum safe consumption: 3.75 servings per week
CR Guidance: "Okay for occasional use" (NOT daily)
Annual exposure if used daily: ~340 µg/year (safe limit: 182.5 µg/year) = 1.86x over
Type: Pea protein + pumpkin seed + alfalfa + sprouted grains blend
Protein per serving: 30g
Price: ~$2.00/serving
Organic: No
What this means: If you drink Vega daily, you're consuming 1.86x more lead per year than California's safe limit. Limit to 3-4 times per week maximum or switch to OWYN.
Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
Orgain Organic Plant-Based - Moderate Risk
Consumer Reports Rank: #12 of 23 (Occasional use only)
Lead Level: 143% over safe limit (2.43x over 0.5 µg/day)
Estimated lead per serving: ~0.72 µg (safe limit: 0.5 µg/day)
Maximum safe consumption: 4.75 servings per week
CR Guidance: "Okay for occasional use" (NOT daily)
Annual exposure if used daily: ~263 µg/year (safe limit: 182.5 µg/year) = 1.44x over
Type: Organic pea protein + brown rice protein + chia seed
Protein per serving: 21g
Price: ~$1.50/serving
Organic: Yes (USDA Organic certified)
What this means: If you drink Orgain daily, you're consuming 1.44x more lead per year than California's safe limit. Limit to 4-5 times per week maximum or switch to OWYN.
OWYN Pro Elite High Protein Shake (The Safe Alternative)
OWYN Pro Elite - Safe for Daily Use
Consumer Reports Rank: #7 of 23 (Better for daily consumption)
Lead Level: 88% over safe limit (1.88x over 0.5 µg/day)
Estimated lead per serving: ~0.44 µg (safe limit: 0.5 µg/day)
Maximum safe consumption: 7 servings per week (1 per day)
CR Guidance: "Better for daily consumption" ✅
Annual exposure if used daily: ~161 µg/year (safe limit: 182.5 µg/year) = Within acceptable range
Type: Pea protein + pumpkin seed protein (plant-based RTD shake)
Protein per serving: 35g
Price: ~$2.75/shake
Certifications: Informed Choice certified
Why OWYN is different: Only plant protein out of 14 tested that Consumer Reports rated safe for daily use. Informed Choice third-party testing. Higher protein (35g vs 21-30g). Only 12% more expensive than Vega despite being verified safe.
Buy OWYN Pro Elite on Amazon →The Plant Protein Problem: Why Both Failed Testing
Consumer Reports tested 14 plant-based proteins. Only 1 was safe for daily use (OWYN). The other 13 had concerning lead levels.
Why Plant Proteins Have More Lead
🌱 The Soil Absorption Problem
Plants absorb heavy metals from soil through their root systems. This is basic plant biology:
- Peas, rice, and hemp are efficient at mineral uptake from soil
- Lead in soil (from decades of leaded gasoline, industrial pollution, pesticides) gets absorbed alongside beneficial minerals
- Protein concentration amplifies contamination: 20-30kg of peas → 1kg protein powder = 20-30x concentration of any soil contaminants
Organic certification doesn't prevent this. Orgain is USDA Organic but still ranked #12 with 143% over safe lead limit. Organic soil can still contain lead from historical contamination.
Consumer Reports Plant Protein Rankings
| Rank | Plant Protein Product | Lead Level | Max Servings/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | OWYN Pro Elite | 88% over (safe daily) | ✅ 7/week (daily) |
| 8 | KOS Organic Superfood | 112% over | 6¼/week |
| 10 | Ensure Plant-Based (RTD) | 132% over | 5/week |
| 11 | PlantFusion Complete | 140% over | 5/week |
| 12 | Orgain Organic Plant-Based | 143% over | 4.75/week |
| 16 | Vega Premium Sport | 185% over | 3.75/week |
| 20 | Momentous 100% Plant | 476% over | 1½/week |
| 21 | Garden of Life Sport Organic | 564% over | 1¼/week |
| 22 | Huel Black Edition | 1,288% over | 0/week (AVOID) |
| 23 | Naked Vegan Mass Gainer | 1,572% over | 0/week (AVOID) |
Key insight: 13 of the bottom 17 products tested were plant-based. The top 6 safest were all dairy-based (whey/casein).
Why Dairy Proteins Are Safer
The top 6 safest proteins tested were all whey or casein-based:
- MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer (whey) - Lead not detected
- Dymatize Super Mass Gainer (whey) - 25% over limit
- Momentous Whey Isolate (whey) - 30% over limit
- BSN Syntha-6 (whey/casein) - 46% over limit
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (whey) - 56% over limit
- Transparent Labs Mass Gainer (whey) - 87% over limit
Why dairy is cleaner:
- Cows act as biological filters - heavy metals don't transfer to milk at high rates
- Whey processing removes additional contaminants
- Dairy supply chains have stricter quality controls than agricultural crops
💡 If You're Vegan or Lactose Intolerant
You have ONE verified-safe option: OWYN Pro Elite (#7)
All other plant proteins tested require frequency restriction:
- Orgain (#12) → Max 4-5 servings per week
- Vega (#16) → Max 3-4 servings per week
- Garden of Life (#21) → Max 1 serving per week
- Naked Nutrition Vegan (#23) → AVOID entirely
OWYN is 38% more expensive than Orgain ($2.75 vs $2.00) but is the only plant protein you can use daily without exceeding safe lead limits.
Vega vs Orgain: Detailed Analysis
Price Comparison
| Product | Container Size | Servings | Total Price | Price/Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Premium Sport | 1.74 lbs (790g) | 19 | $38 | $2.00 |
| Orgain Organic Plant-Based | 2.03 lbs (920g) | 21 | $32 | $1.50 |
| OWYN Pro Elite (RTD) | 12-pack (12 fl oz each) | 12 | $33 | $2.75 |
Cost analysis:
- Orgain is 25% cheaper than Vega ($1.50 vs $2.00/serving)
- OWYN is 38% more expensive than Vega ($2.75 vs $2.00/serving)
- But OWYN is the only one safe for daily use
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Product | Safe Frequency | Servings/Month | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Premium Sport | 3.75 servings/week | ~16 | $32 |
| Orgain Organic | 4.75 servings/week | ~20 | $30 |
| OWYN Pro Elite | 7 servings/week (daily) | ~30 | $83 |
The hidden cost of "cheaper" protein:
- Vega/Orgain appear cheaper per serving, but you can only use 3-5x per week safely
- If you want daily plant protein, you MUST buy OWYN ($83/month)
- Or rotate Vega/Orgain with whey protein on alternate days
Protein Content & Nutrition
| Nutrient | Vega Premium Sport | Orgain Organic | OWYN Pro Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 30g | 21g | 35g |
| Calories | 150 | 150 | 190 |
| Fat | 2g | 3g | 5g |
| Carbs | 5g | 15g | 9g |
| Fiber | 2g | 6g | 4g |
| Sugar | 1g | 0g | 1g |
| Protein Source | Pea, pumpkin seed, alfalfa, sprouted grains | Pea, brown rice, chia | Pea, pumpkin seed |
Nutritional winner: OWYN Pro Elite
- Highest protein content (35g vs 21-30g)
- Best protein-per-calorie ratio
- Complete amino acid profile from pea + pumpkin seed
Taste & Mixability
Based on Amazon reviews and user feedback:
Vega Premium Sport:
- ⭐ 4.3/5 stars (Amazon, 3,200+ reviews)
- Taste: Earthy, slightly gritty texture common complaint
- Mixability: Mixes well in blender, clumpy in shaker bottle
- Best flavor: Chocolate
Orgain Organic Plant-Based:
- ⭐ 4.4/5 stars (Amazon, 12,000+ reviews)
- Taste: Smoother than Vega, less earthy aftertaste
- Mixability: Mixes better in shaker bottles than Vega
- Best flavor: Vanilla Bean, Creamy Chocolate Fudge
OWYN Pro Elite:
- ⭐ 4.5/5 stars (Amazon, 2,500+ reviews)
- Taste: Ready-to-drink format = no mixing issues, smooth texture
- Convenience: Pre-made shakes, grab-and-go
- Best flavor: Dark Chocolate, Vanilla
Taste winner: Orgain (among powders) - Better reviews, smoother texture, mixes easier than Vega
Convenience winner: OWYN - RTD format eliminates mixing issues entirely
Who Should Use Vega vs Orgain vs OWYN?
If You're Using Plant Protein Daily → OWYN Only
✅ Use OWYN Pro Elite If:
- You need plant protein every day (vegan, lactose intolerant)
- You want verified-safe lead levels for daily consumption
- You value convenience (RTD format)
- You're willing to pay $2.75/serving for safety
- You're an athlete subject to drug testing (Informed Choice certified)
OWYN is the ONLY plant protein Consumer Reports rated safe for daily use.
Buy OWYN Pro Elite on Amazon →If You're Using Plant Protein 3-5x Per Week → Orgain
⚠️ Use Orgain If:
- You only use plant protein 4-5 times per week (supplement, not primary source)
- You rotate plant protein with whey on alternate days
- You want organic certification (USDA Organic)
- Budget is primary concern ($1.50 vs $2.75 for OWYN)
- You don't mind powder mixing
Important: Limit to 4-5 servings per week maximum to stay within safe lead exposure limits.
→ Read full Orgain safety analysisIf You're Using Plant Protein Occasionally → Vega or Orgain
⚠️ Use Vega Premium Sport If:
- You only use protein 3-4 times per week
- You want higher protein content (30g vs 21g in Orgain)
- You prefer multi-source plant blend (pea + pumpkin + alfalfa + grains)
- You're already a Vega customer and like the taste
Important: Limit to 3-4 servings per week maximum (Vega has 12% more lead than Orgain).
If You Want the Safest Protein Period → Switch to Whey
💡 Consider Switching to Dairy-Based Protein
Unless you're vegan or lactose intolerant, whey protein is significantly safer:
- MuscleTech 100% Mass Gainer - #1 safest, lead not detected, $0.85/serving
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard - #5 safest, Clean Label certified, $0.75/serving
- BSN Syntha-6 - #4 safest, great taste, $1.00/serving
Whey is 50-63% cheaper than OWYN and verified safer than any plant protein except OWYN.
The "Organic" Myth: Why Orgain Still Has Lead
Orgain is USDA Organic certified but still ranked #12 with 143% over safe lead limit. Here's why organic doesn't prevent heavy metal contamination:
What Organic Certification Actually Means
USDA Organic verifies:
- ✅ No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
- ✅ No GMO ingredients
- ✅ No sewage sludge fertilizer
- ✅ Certified organic farming practices
USDA Organic does NOT test for:
- ❌ Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
- ❌ Historical soil contamination
- ❌ Airborne pollutant deposition
- ❌ Water source contamination
🚨 The Historical Contamination Problem
Organic soil can still contain lead from decades past:
- Leaded gasoline (banned 1996) deposited lead in soil across North America
- Industrial pollution from nearby factories, smelters, mines
- Historical pesticides (lead arsenate used until 1980s) remain in soil for 100+ years
- Airborne deposition from coal plants, incinerators continues today
Plants don't discriminate. If lead is in the soil, organic crops absorb it just like conventional crops.
Consumer Reports Organic vs Conventional Comparison
| Product | Organic? | CR Rank | Lead Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden of Life Sport Organic | ✅ USDA Organic | #21 of 23 | 564% over (DANGEROUS) |
| Orgain Organic Plant-Based | ✅ USDA Organic | #12 of 23 | 143% over |
| KOS Organic Superfood | ✅ USDA Organic | #8 of 23 | 112% over |
| OWYN Pro Elite | ❌ Not organic | #7 of 23 | 88% over (SAFE DAILY) |
Key insight: OWYN (not organic) is safer than all three organic plant proteins tested. Organic certification is irrelevant to heavy metal safety.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: Daily Post-Workout Shake (Vegan)
Your goal: Plant protein shake after every workout (7x per week)
| Product | Can You Use Daily? | Annual Lead Exposure | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Premium Sport | ❌ No (1.86x over safe limit) | 340 µg/year (UNSAFE) | $730/year |
| Orgain Organic | ❌ No (1.44x over safe limit) | 263 µg/year (UNSAFE) | $548/year |
| OWYN Pro Elite | ✅ Yes (within safe limits) | 161 µg/year (SAFE) | $1,001/year |
Recommendation: Use OWYN Pro Elite for daily post-workout. It's the ONLY plant protein safe for this use case.
Scenario 2: Occasional Meal Replacement (4x per week)
Your goal: Plant protein shake 4 times per week for lunch
| Product | Can You Use 4x/Week? | Annual Lead Exposure | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Premium Sport | ⚠️ Close to max (3.75 safe) | 193 µg/year (slightly over) | $416/year |
| Orgain Organic | ✅ Yes (4.75 servings safe) | 150 µg/year (SAFE) | $312/year |
| OWYN Pro Elite | ✅ Yes (7 servings safe) | 92 µg/year (SAFE) | $572/year |
Recommendation: Orgain Organic is acceptable for 4x per week use and costs $260 less annually than OWYN. Vega is borderline unsafe at this frequency.
Scenario 3: Rotating with Whey Protein
Your goal: Alternate between plant and whey protein (plant 3x/week, whey 4x/week)
Best strategy:
- Mon/Wed/Fri: Orgain Organic ($1.50/serving) = 3x per week = $18/month
- Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun: ON Gold Standard ($0.75/serving) = 4x per week = $12/month
- Total cost: $30/month
- Annual lead exposure: 112 µg from Orgain + 46 µg from ON = 158 µg/year (SAFE)
Why this works: Orgain is safe at 3x per week, ON is safe daily, combined exposure stays well under safe limits, costs 63% less than OWYN daily ($30/month vs $83/month).
What If You're Already Using Vega or Orgain Daily?
🚨 If You've Been Using Vega or Orgain Daily for 6+ Months
You may have elevated blood lead levels. Here's what to do:
- Stop daily use immediately - Switch to OWYN or reduce to max safe frequency (3-5x per week)
- Watch for symptoms:
- Brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating
- Unexplained fatigue or muscle weakness
- Chronic headaches
- Irritability, mood changes, depression
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal discomfort
- Consider blood lead testing: Request from your doctor. Normal: <5 µg/dL. Elevated: >5 µg/dL.
- Document product details: Save lot number, purchase receipts if considering manufacturer complaint
How to Switch from Vega/Orgain to OWYN
Transition plan:
Week 1-2: Finish current tub at reduced frequency (3-4x per week instead of daily)
Week 3: Order OWYN Pro Elite (Amazon 12-pack)
Week 4+: Switch to OWYN daily, keep Vega/Orgain for occasional variety (1-2x per week)
Taste adjustment: OWYN RTD shakes taste different from powder. Try all flavors (Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee) to find your favorite.
The Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy?
Vega vs Orgain vs OWYN: Final Verdict
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Safety (Daily Use) | OWYN Pro Elite | Only plant protein safe for daily consumption (CR #7) |
| Safety (Occasional Use) | Orgain | 12% less lead than Vega, safe for 4-5x per week |
| Price | Orgain | $1.50/serving vs $2.00 (Vega) or $2.75 (OWYN) |
| Protein Content | OWYN | 35g vs 30g (Vega) or 21g (Orgain) |
| Taste | Orgain | Smoother, better reviews than Vega powder |
| Convenience | OWYN | Ready-to-drink format, no mixing |
| Certifications | OWYN | Informed Choice certified vs none for Vega/Orgain |
| Overall Winner | OWYN Pro Elite | Only one safe for daily use, highest protein, certified tested |
Our Recommendations
OWYN Pro Elite High Protein Shake
Choose OWYN if:
- You need plant protein every day (vegan, lactose intolerant)
- You want the ONLY verified-safe plant protein for daily use
- You value convenience (RTD format)
- You're an athlete requiring Informed Choice certification
- You want highest protein content (35g)
Consumer Reports: #7 of 23 (Better for daily consumption)
Price: $2.75/shake ($83/month for daily use)
Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
Choose Orgain if:
- You only use plant protein 4-5 times per week
- You rotate plant protein with whey protein
- Budget is primary concern ($1.50/serving)
- You want USDA Organic certification
- You prefer powder format over RTD
Consumer Reports: #12 of 23 (Okay for occasional use)
CRITICAL: Limit to 4-5 servings per week maximum
Vega Premium Sport Protein
Choose Vega only if:
- You're already a Vega customer and like the taste
- You only use protein 3-4 times per week
- You want higher protein content (30g) than Orgain (21g)
Consumer Reports: #16 of 23 (Okay for occasional use)
CRITICAL: Limit to 3-4 servings per week maximum (higher lead than Orgain)
Better alternative: Switch to Orgain (same occasional use case, 12% less lead, 25% cheaper)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is safer: Vega or Orgain protein powder?
A: Orgain is 12% safer than Vega. Consumer Reports found Orgain ranked #12 (143% over safe lead limit, max 4-5 servings/week) and Vega ranked #16 (185% over limit, max 3-4 servings/week). However, neither is safe for daily consumption. OWYN Pro Elite (#7) is the only plant protein verified safe for daily use.
Q: Can I use Vega or Orgain every day?
A: No. Daily use of Vega would give you 1.86x over safe annual lead exposure. Daily use of Orgain would give you 1.44x over safe limits. Both require frequency restriction: Vega max 3-4x per week, Orgain max 4-5x per week. OWYN Pro Elite is the only plant protein safe for daily consumption.
Q: Is Orgain safer because it's organic?
A: No. USDA Organic certification doesn't test for heavy metals. Orgain is organic but still ranked #12 with 143% over safe lead limit. Garden of Life Sport Organic ranked #21 (564% over limit). OWYN Pro Elite (not organic) ranked #7 and is safer than all organic plant proteins tested. Organic certification is irrelevant to lead safety.
Q: What's the safest plant-based protein powder?
A: OWYN Pro Elite is the only plant protein Consumer Reports rated safe for daily use (ranked #7 of 23 tested). All other 13 plant proteins tested had concerning lead levels requiring frequency restriction or avoidance entirely.
Q: Why do plant proteins have more lead than whey?
A: Plants absorb heavy metals from soil through their root systems. Protein powder is concentrated 20-30x (20-30kg of peas → 1kg powder), which amplifies any soil contamination. Consumer Reports found 13 of the bottom 17 products were plant-based, while the top 6 safest were all dairy-based. Cows act as biological filters preventing heavy metal transfer to milk.
Q: Can I rotate Vega and Orgain to reduce lead exposure?
A: Rotating doesn't help — your total weekly lead exposure is what matters. Using Vega 2x/week and Orgain 2x/week still gives you ~4 servings of contaminated protein per week. Better strategy: Use Orgain 3x/week (within safe limits) and whey protein 4x/week, or switch to OWYN for daily use.
Q: How much does OWYN cost compared to Vega/Orgain?
A: OWYN costs $2.75/shake vs Vega $2.00/serving (38% more expensive) and Orgain $1.50/serving (83% more expensive). However, OWYN is the only plant protein safe for daily use. Monthly cost: OWYN daily = $83/month, Vega 3-4x/week = $26-32/month, Orgain 4-5x/week = $26-33/month. The price difference buys you verified safety for daily consumption.
Q: Should I switch from Vega/Orgain to whey protein instead?
A: Unless you're vegan or lactose intolerant, yes. Whey proteins are significantly safer and cheaper. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard ranked #5 (safe daily), costs $0.75/serving (50-63% cheaper than plant options), and is Clean Label certified. The top 6 safest proteins tested were all dairy-based.
Q: I've been using Vega daily for a year. What should I do?
A: Stop daily use immediately. Switch to OWYN Pro Elite for daily plant protein or reduce Vega to 3x per week maximum. Watch for lead poisoning symptoms (brain fog, fatigue, headaches, mood changes). Consider requesting blood lead test from your doctor if experiencing symptoms. Daily Vega use for 1 year = ~340 µg lead exposure (1.86x over safe annual limit).
Q: Does Vega or Orgain have third-party testing?
A: No. Neither Vega nor Orgain has NSF Certified for Sport, Clean Label Project, or Informed Choice certification. They claim internal testing but provide no public Certificates of Analysis. OWYN Pro Elite has Informed Choice certification (third-party batch testing for contaminants).
Q: Which has better taste: Vega or Orgain?
A: Orgain has better reviews (4.4/5 stars vs 4.3/5 for Vega on Amazon). Users report Orgain is smoother, less earthy, and mixes better in shaker bottles. Vega has common complaints about gritty texture and earthy aftertaste. Best flavors: Orgain Vanilla Bean or Creamy Chocolate Fudge; Vega Chocolate.
Q: Can I use Vega or Orgain if I'm pregnant?
A: Consult your doctor, but we recommend avoiding both. Lead crosses the placenta and affects fetal brain development. Neither Vega nor Orgain is safe for daily use even for non-pregnant adults. If you need plant protein during pregnancy, use OWYN Pro Elite (only verified-safe plant option) and discuss with your OB-GYN first.
Q: Are there any other safe plant protein alternatives?
A: No. Consumer Reports tested 14 plant proteins. Only OWYN Pro Elite (#7) was safe for daily use. The next-best plant protein was KOS Organic (#8) with 112% over safe limit (max 6x/week). All other plant proteins had worse contamination. OWYN is your only verified-safe daily plant protein option.
💡 Final Recommendation Summary
If you're vegan or lactose intolerant and need daily plant protein:
- ✅ Use OWYN Pro Elite — the ONLY plant protein safe for daily consumption
- ✅ Costs $2.75/shake ($83/month for daily use)
- ✅ Consumer Reports #7, Informed Choice certified, 35g protein
If you only need plant protein 4-5 times per week:
- ✅ Use Orgain Organic — ranked #12, safe at this frequency
- ✅ Costs $1.50/serving ($26-33/month for 4-5x/week)
- ⚠️ Do not exceed 5 servings per week
If you're not vegan/lactose intolerant:
- ✅ Switch to ON Gold Standard whey protein
- ✅ Consumer Reports #5 safe + Clean Label certified
- ✅ Costs $0.75/serving (50-63% cheaper than plant proteins)
- ✅ Safe for daily use, significantly lower lead levels
Do NOT use Vega or Orgain daily. Both exceeded safe lead limits for daily consumption.
Related Articles
Ready to Switch to Verified-Safe Plant Protein?
Don't settle for "occasional use only" plant proteins. Get OWYN Pro Elite — the only plant protein Consumer Reports verified safe for daily consumption.
Buy OWYN Pro Elite on Amazon →Sources
- Consumer Reports: "Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead" (October 14, 2025)
- California OEHHA: Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Levels for Lead
- USDA: National Organic Program Standards
- Informed Choice: Third-Party Testing Database (informed-choice.org)