Protein Powder: 'Consumer Reports' Reveals Heavy Metal Contamination in Several Popular Brands

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Recently, Consumer Reports (CR) issued a shocking safety warning about popular protein powders and shakes that some protein powders and shakes contain unsafe levels of lead. 

The warning was released on October 14, 2025, following extensive testing of multiple brands.More than two-thirds of the 23 protein powders tested contained lead levels exceeding CR's safe daily intake.

Some products even showed lead levels more than 1,500 percent above the recommended limit.

"Protein powders and shakes have become immensely popular and are part of a daily routine for many people who are focused on consuming more protein in their diet," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a news release.

"Our tests found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein supplements is widespread and has worsened since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago."

A Consumer Reports investigation highlighted the serious problem of heavy metal contamination in protein powders on the market.

From the 23 products tested, the majority showed alarming levels of lead, as reported by CBS.

The average lead levels found today are even higher than they were 15 years ago, with fewer products being free of contamination.

Plant-based protein products, particularly those based on pea protein, are of particular concern, since these kinds were found to have the highest lead concentrations.

On average, plant-based proteins contained nine times more lead than milk-based powders and twice as much as beef-based supplements.

Several protein powder brands were specifically identified as particularly concerning by Consumer Reports.

Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer and Huel's Black Edition are recommended to be avoided altogether.

Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer contains 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving, well above the CR level of concern.

• Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer: 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving (approximately 1,570% of the CR limit).
• Huel's Black Edition: 6.3 micrograms of lead per serving (approximately 1,290% of the CR limit) and 9.2 micrograms of cadmium per serving (more than double the hazardous limit).

Huel's Black Edition also showed extremely high levels of lead, reaching 6.3 micrograms per serving.

Furthermore, the product contained 9.2 micrograms of cadmium per serving.

These findings highlight the need for consumer vigilance regarding certain brands.

• Garden of Life's Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein: Lead content 400-600% of the CR threshold.
• Momentous' 100 Percent Plant Protein: Lead content 400-600% of the CR threshold.
• Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass: 8.5 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving (double the CR daily limit).

Other products like Garden of Life's Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous' 100 Percent Plant Protein also contain high levels of lead.

CR recommends limiting consumption of these products to once a week.

Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass whey protein powder was also found to contain twice the recommended daily limit of inorganic arsenic.

Continuous exposure to lead can have serious health impacts, particularly on the neurological development of infants and children.

In adults, long-term exposure has been linked to high blood pressure, nerve damage, kidney problems, and reproductive disorders.

Consumers are advised to reduce their consumption of protein powders and instead choose protein sources from whole foods such as Greek yogurt, eggs, tofu, or nuts.