Lead and other heavy metals found in popular protein powders, new report says
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Nearly half of some of the most popular protein powders have levels of heavy metals like lead that exceed government food safety regulations, a consumer safety nonprofit said in its report Thursday.
Why it matters: No level of lead exposure is safe, per the Environmental Protection Agency, but regulation of heavy metals in food isn't uniform.
Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury were all found in protein powders studied by the Clean Label Project.
By the numbers: 47% of products exceeded at least one federal or state guideline.
Researchers tested 160 products from 70 of the top-selling brands, representing 83% of the market.
The intrigue: Organic products showed higher levels of heavy metal contamination, with three times more lead and twice the amount of cadmium than non-organic products.
Plant-based protein powders showed three times more lead than whey-based alternatives. Plants can easily absorb metals directly from the soil, including from fertilizers.
Chocolate-flavored powders contained four times more lead than vanilla and up to 110 times more cadmium.
The other side: Researchers found a significant improvement in the levels of bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, since a 2018 study.
BPA and BPS, known endocrine disruptors, were detected in three of 160 protein powder products, compared to 55% in previous tests.
How it works: Contaminants reach protein powder via packaging and soil where the ingredients are grown.
What they're saying: "This study serves as a wake-up call for consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and regulators alike," researchers said in the report.
"With the lack of comprehensive federal regulations specifically addressing heavy metals in dietary supplements, it is critical that the industry independently takes proactive measures."
The protein supplement market size was nearly $9.7 billion in 2023, according to the report
What they did: Clean Label Project collaborated with an analytical chemistry lab to study 35,862 data points.
They tested heavy metals and bisphenols, which are used to make plastic.
Go deeper: Study finds toxic metals present in popular tampons
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