Many Protein Powders & Shakes Have Elevated Lead Levels, Report Warns

Whether you’re hitting the gym or just trying to get in some protein during a morning-sickness-filled first trimester, protein powders and shakes can seem like an easy win. But if your goal is clean and healthy support, it may be time to take a closer look at what’s actually in your blend.

A new study by Consumer Reports looked at the heavy metal contamination across 23 popular brands of dairy, beef and plant-based protein powders and shakes. Of the brands tested, more than two-thirds contained more lead in a single serving than experts say is safe to have in a day. While no amount of lead is technically safe, children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead, as repeated or continuous exposure can damage a developing brain and nervous system.

The worst offenders—Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel Black Edition—had such high lead levels that CR experts recommend avoiding them altogether. Two others, Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous 100% Plant Protein, were deemed safe only if used once a week.

Several others were considered to have elevated but still occasional-use levels, including:

• MuscleMeds-Carnivor Mass
• Optimum Nutrition-Serious Mass2
• Jocko Fuel-Mölk Protein Shake
• Vega-Premium Sport Plant-Based Protein3
• Quest-Protein Shake
• Orgain-Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
• Optimum Nutrition-Gold Standard Protein Shake
• Equip Foods-Chocolate Prime Protein
• PlantFusion-Complete Protein
• Ensure-Plant-Based Protein Nutrition Shake
• Muscle Milk-Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake
• KOS-Organic Superfood Plant Protein

Seven brands tested with lead levels below CR’s limits—or with undetectable amounts—were labeled better daily choices:

• Owyn-Pro Elite High Protein Shake
• Transparent Labs-Mass Gainer
• Optimum Nutrition-Gold Standard 100% Whey
• BSN-Syntha-6 Protein Powder
• Momentous-Whey Protein Isolate
• Dymatize-Super Mass Gainer
• Muscle Tech-100% Mass Gainer

When comparing categories, plant-based products contained, on average, nine times more lead than dairy-based options and about twice as much as beef-based ones. While dairy proteins tended to fare best, about half still showed contamination high enough that CR advises against daily use.

Currently, there are no firm federal guidelines for lead in supplements, but the FDA has set interim lead limits at 2.2 micrograms per day for children and 8.8 micrograms for women of childbearing age. Considering the average American already consumes up to 5.3 micrograms of lead daily through food, adding a supplement like Naked Nutrition’s Mass Gainer (7.7 micrograms) or Huel’s Black Edition (6.3 micrograms) can quickly push someone—especially pregnant women—over the safe threshold.

CR’s daily lead exposure limits for the study were based on the California Prop 65 maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead—0.5 micrograms per day—which has a wide safety margin built in. “We use this value because it is the most protective lead standard available,” said Sana Mujahid, PhD, who oversees food safety research and testing at CR. “There is no safe amount of lead, and we think your exposure to it in the food and water supply should be as low as possible.”

If you’re looking to boost your protein safely, CR experts recommend sticking to the low-lead options above and prioritizing dairy or beef-based proteins over plant-based ones. For even more parent-friendly picks, check out our guide to the best protein powders for pregnancy featuring whey, collagen and plant-based blends vetted by doctors and nutritionists that you can feel good about.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.