Lead in protein powder: What the tests found and how to stay safe

If protein powder figures into your daily routine, you might have been concerned by recent headlines about lead contamination in protein powders and shakes. A new Consumer Reports investigation tested 23 popular powders and ready-to-drink shakes and found that more than two-thirds contained levels of lead in a single serving above the organization’s safety threshold. 

The threshold was set at 0.5 micrograms per day, a benchmark based on California’s Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose level (MADL). Consumer Reports uses that state-based limit because no federal standards exist for lead in dietary supplements, leaving wide variability between products. Some tested clean, while others far exceeded the benchmark. That’s partly because these powders are regulated as dietary supplements and don’t need FDA approval before being sold, so their purity and testing standards can differ widely.

So, should you be concerned? We’ll unpack what Consumer Reports found and explain how contamination happens. Plus, we’ll share what to look for in a safe protein powder, and get insight from Dr. Karen Mann, MD, Noom’s Medical Director, on how to put this news into context for your health goals.

How does lead get into protein powder?

The contamination isn’t always about “bad” manufacturing or handling; often, it starts in the soil. Many plant-based protein powders use ingredients like peas, soy, or rice, and these plants naturally absorb heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium from soil or water. Once harvested, those metals can remain in the final product, especially when crops are grown in contaminated or industrial regions.

A study analyzed dozens of commercial protein powders and found that plant-based varieties were significantly more likely to contain higher levels of lead and cadmium than whey-based products. Researchers attributed the difference to the way plants draw minerals, and sometimes contaminants, from the soil during growth.

By contrast, whey and dairy-based powders, made from milk rather than plants, tended to have much lower levels of lead and other metals in Consumer Reports’ testing. Still, contamination can happen anywhere in the process. Factory equipment, drying systems, and packaging can all introduce trace metals if strict quality controls aren’t enforced.

“Because supplements aren’t required to go through pre-market FDA testing, some protein powders can reach store shelves without verified heavy-metal screening,” explains Dr. Mann. “That’s why two products that look almost identical can have completely different safety profiles—depending on how and where their ingredients are sourced, and the quality controls used in manufacturing.”

Protein powder with the highest and lowest lead levels

Consumer Reports’ testing showed that while some brands performed well, others had surprisingly high levels of lead and other heavy metals. The results were largely on the type of protein used and serving size.

Whey and dairy-based protein powder had fewer concerns

Whey and dairy-based protein powders generally had lower lead and cadmium levels. Ready-to-drink and animal-protein shakes tended to fall below the 0.5 µg/day threshold and were categorized as “acceptable for regular or occasional use.”

Consumer Reports also noted that brands with third-party certifications—like NSF, USP, or Informed Choice—or those that publish batch-testing results tend to perform better in quality assessments.

Plant-based protein powders have higher concerns

Overall, plant-based protein powders, especially those made from pea, rice, or soy protein, showed the highest average lead and cadmium levels. These ingredients tend to absorb more heavy metals from soil and water compared with animal-based sources.

Large “mass gainer” and meal-replacement formulas, which often require two or more scoops per serving, also exceeded Consumer Reports’ 0.5 µg/day lead benchmark more frequently.

Specific high-contamination examples included:

• Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer, with roughly 7.7 µg of lead per serving (over 15 times CR’s threshold).
  
• Huel Black Edition, with 6.3 µg per serving and elevated cadmium levels.
  
• Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous 100% Plant Protein, which tested at 4 to 6 times the safety limit, Consumer Reports recommends limiting these to once per week.

Who needs protein powder and who doesn’t?

Even with recent findings about heavy metals in some protein powders, they remain a go-to for many people. They offer an easy way to hit daily protein goals, support workouts, or simplify meal prep on busy days. 

But do you really need extra protein? Consumer Reports notes that smart marketing has made “getting enough protein” almost synonymous with being healthy. Plus, national dietary surveys suggest that many healthy adults already get plenty of protein from food alone. 

Men average around 97 grams of protein per day, and women about 69 grams. That’s more than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. But experts note that this is a baseline to prevent deficiency, not necessarily the ideal amount for everyone.

Protein needs vary widely depending on age, body composition, activity level, and health goals. People who are very active, older, recovering from illness,  or trying to build or preserve muscle, like people actively lowering calories to lose weight, may need more protein than the RDA.  Research suggests that intakes around 1.2 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day can better support strength, recovery, and satiety.

It’s also worth noting that older adults often eat less overall, so even though younger people tend to consume enough or more than enough protein, older adults may not reach their daily needs. Factors like reduced appetite, slower digestion, or difficulty chewing can all play a role.

“Protein powder can be a helpful tool when you’re short on time, recovering from an illness, or working toward a specific fitness or weight-loss goal,” explains Dr. Mann. “For older adults, it can also help bridge the gap if appetite or digestion make it harder to get enough protein from food alone.”

Still, protein powders are best used as strategic add-ons, not everyday necessities. They can help fill occasional gaps, but they work best when paired with balanced meals and mindful eating habits that keep your body nourished and satisfied.

Protein powder buying guide: How to choose the safest

If protein shakes fit your lifestyle, you don’t need to ditch them, just shop smarter. Think of this as a quick guide to buying with confidence: how to spot quality, reduce your exposure risk, and still enjoy the convenience protein powder offers.

• Check for third-party certification. Look for NSF Certified for Sport, USP Verified, or Informed Choice seals, which indicate compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).
  
• Review published test results. Consumer Reports found major differences in contamination across brands. Companies that publish lab data for each batch show stronger transparency.
  
• Watch serving sizes. Larger servings often equal more exposure, even for the same product. Studies show that multi-serving “mass gainer” formulas carry higher cumulative exposure.
  
• Balance with whole-food protein. Eggs, low-fat Greek yogurt, legumes, poultry and fish deliver protein with less variability from batch to batch.

The bottom line: Shop smart for protein powder

Even though some protein powders and shakes tested by Consumer Reports contained trace amounts of lead, they admit there’s no reason to panic or to toss your protein powder just yet. Occasional use of most products, even those on the contaminated list, isn’t likely to cause immediate harm. But if you use protein shakes daily, it’s worth checking the brand’s testing practices and possibly rotating in more whole-food sources of protein.

“It’s not about fear—it’s about being informed,” says Dr. Mann. “When you understand where your food or supplements come from, you can align them with your health goals instead of guessing.”

At Noom, protein is viewed as part of a bigger picture—not a quick fix, but one piece of your overall nutrition strategy. Choosing a third-party certified protein powder, checking for batch testing transparency, and balancing it with whole-food proteins like low-fat yogurt, eggs, legumes, fish, and other lean proteins can help you stay consistent without unnecessary risks.

Your shake can still fit into a healthy routine—just chosen with awareness, not worry.