Report Finds Heavy Metals in Nearly Half of Protein Powders—How to Minimize Your Risk

Many commercially available protein powders can contain dangerous amounts of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.

The Clean Label Project, a consumer product safety nonprofit, tested 160 products from 70 top-selling supplement brands. Almost half of the protein powders tested contained dangerous levels of heavy metals. The report also found that plant-based protein powders contained three times more lead than whey-based products, and chocolate-flavored powders contained four times more lead than vanilla versions. .

This isn’t the first time protein powders have been found to contain heavy metals. a 2018 Clean Label Project Report They found measurable levels of lead in 75% of the protein powders tested.

But experts say there’s no need to ditch protein powder just yet.

“It’s wise to be careful, but the good news is that small incremental changes, such as choosing brands that prioritize rigorous testing for heavy metals, can make a big difference. Awareness is… It doesn’t mean avoiding certain foods completely; it means being intentional about what you choose.” Jaclyn Bowen, MPH, MSThe executive director of the Clean Label Project told Berrywell in an email.

How do heavy metals get into protein powder?

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic occur naturally in the Earth’s crust and can enter the soil through volcanic eruptions and erosion. Plants absorb heavy metals from the soil, and humans and animals can be exposed to heavy metals by consuming these plants.

This may explain why the report found that chocolate-flavored protein powder contained four times more lead than vanilla-flavored powder. “Since chocolate is plant-based and vanilla may be synthetic, it makes sense that chocolate products would contain more heavy metals than vanilla products.” Kelly Krisna Johnson Arbor, Marylanda pharmacotoxicologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital told Berrywell.

Toxic heavy metals have also been found in other food and consumer products such as baby food, Florida lettuce, and wine. Last year, lead and arsenic were detected in tampons, likely because the cotton absorbed the metals as it grew.

However, growing conditions are not the only source of heavy metals in these items. Johnson-Arbor added that the manufacturing process can also introduce heavy metals into certain products, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Should I stop using protein powder?

It’s worrying to hear that popular protein powders contain heavy metals, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop using these supplements. A 2020 study found that exposure to heavy metals from protein powder does not increase the risk of adverse health effects.

“For most adults, the negative effects of exposure to cadmium and lead occur through repeated exposure over time,” says Tunde Akinleye, an analytical chemist and test program leader for food safety and nutrition testing. consumer reporthe told Berrywell in an email.

However, Akinleye added that the high lead levels detected in this study “may be a good reason to reduce the frequency of protein supplement intake or look for another, safer source of protein.”

Pregnant people and children especially may need to consider other protein sources, as lead and other heavy metals can cause miscarriages and harm the developing brain.

Check protein powder label certification

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a Toxic Elements Task Force that tries to find ways to reduce exposure to these heavy metals in foods, cosmetics, and supplements, but protein powders and other dietary supplements are Not tested for safety by. before it hits the shelves.

Johnson-Arbor says when you buy a protein powder or vitamin product, you don’t necessarily know what’s in it. However, you can look for certifications from USP, ConsumerLab, and NSF.

“It’s not perfect,” she added. “But this is probably the best way to ensure that the supplement has been tested and confirmed to be free of contamination.”