Key Points

  • A new Consumer Reports test shows some popular protein powders are safe, easing worries about lead exposure for daily users.
  • Four tested protein powders had lead levels below concern, while one was still safe when consumed in limited weekly amounts.
  • Experts say shoppers should choose protein powders with trusted third-party testing since supplements are not reviewed by the FDA.

Last year, a Consumer Reports investigation revealed that some protein powders and shakes contained dangerous levels of lead. Following the report, many readers wrote in, asking about brands that hadn’t been tested.

So Consumer Reports conducted a new round of testing with five of the most popular reader-requested chocolate protein powders: Clean Simple Eats, Equate, Premier Protein, Ritual, and Truvani. The lineup included both whey (or dairy) and plant-based options.

Each sample was tested for the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—the same four elements identified in the previous investigation. Fortunately, all of the protein powders were deemed safe for daily or near-daily consumption, with lower average levels of lead and arsenic than what the publication found in its previous protein tests.

Test Results

Four of the five tested below Consumer Reports’ level of concern for lead, which is 0.5 micrograms per daily serving and is based on the California Prop 65 maximum allowable dose level (MADL).

Clean Simple Eats’ whey-based protein powder in Chocolate Brownie Batter contained the least lead at 0.21 micrograms per serving. A whey-based powder from the Walmart brand Equate in Rich Chocolate had 0.27 micrograms per serving. Premier Protein’s dairy-based Chocolate Milkshake protein powder contained 0.38 micrograms of lead, while Truvani’s plant-based protein powder contained 0.46 micrograms per serving.

Ritual’s Essential Protein Daily Shake contained 0.53 micrograms of lead per serving, which is low enough for consumers to have up to 6.5 servings of it per week, according to the publication’s experts.

Affects of Lead in Humans

Because lead lingers in the body, repeated exposure to even small amounts can add up over time and contribute to health risks, Consumer Reports warns. Low levels of lead have been found in many foods, and it can also be present in the air, soil, and household contaminants.

Chronic lead exposure has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure in adults. Children and pregnant people are most vulnerable because lead can damage the developing brain and nervous system, which has the potential to cause neurological issues, learning delays, and behavioral problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How to Choose Protein Powder

Unlike prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t review, approve, or test supplements like protein powders before they are sold. Federal regulations also don’t generally require supplement makers to prove their products are safe, and there are no federal limits for the amount of heavy metals they can contain.

Because of this, it’s important to buy products from brands that use third-party testing. Look for seals such as NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice, or USP. These companies verify quality and purity.