Yves here. A recent investigation by Consumer Reports evaluated some leading whey protein products on the market, revealing that many, though not all, contain elevated levels of lead. The way the findings are presented is somewhat frustrating: rather than a straightforward data table, the results are displayed in categories accompanied by images, making it challenging to quickly review. It’s also unclear how grass-fed whey, typically more expensive and presumably less common, performed in comparison.
Bodybuilders often suggest that a more economical source of milk protein is plain yogurt, as whey is simply the liquid that remains after milk solids have been removed. It’s worth noting that this issue may extend to the general U.S. milk supply, not just whey protein. For instance, a standard glass of milk typically contains as much protein as a serving of whey protein powder (24g versus 20-25g for the powder). This implies that children consuming milk, who are obviously lighter than adults, could be exposed to even higher levels of heavy metals than what Consumer Reports is emphasizing.
By C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut. Originally published at The Conversation
Sales of protein powders and ready-to-drink protein beverages have surged, approaching over US$32 billion globally from 2024 to 2025. An increasing number of consumers are incorporating these protein sources into their daily diets.
A recent study by Consumer Reports, released on October 14, 2025, asserts that certain protein products contain alarmingly high levels of lead, along with other heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic. Exposure to high levels of these metals poses serious, well-documented health risks.
As a clinical pharmacologist with experience evaluating heavy metal content in various products including baby food, calcium supplements, and kratom products, I’ve observed that lead and other heavy metals are naturally present in soil and water. It’s virtually impossible to achieve zero exposure. Furthermore, the levels of lead exposure deemed safe by Consumer Reports are significantly lower than those established by the Food and Drug Administration.
Despite the chosen safety benchmarks, the study does illustrate that several products deliver concerning amounts of heavy metals per serving.
How Consumer Reports Conducted the Study
The research analyzed 23 powder and ready-to-drink protein items from popular brands, with three samples of each product sent to an independent laboratory for testing.
Consumer Reports considered any source exceeding 0.5 micrograms per day of lead as surpassing recommended limits. This guideline originates from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, which established maximum levels for several harmful substances.
This number is notably more stringent than the Food and Drug Administration’s safety standards for lead exposure in drugs and supplements. This difference stems from Consumer Reports’ goal of very low exposure versus the FDA’s more pragmatic requirements.
The FDA recommends a limit of 5 micrograms per day for lead consumption from any singular dietary supplement product — a figure that is ten times higher than Consumer Reports’ limit.
The FDA has a separate standard for the total daily amount of lead one can safely consume from food, drugs, and supplements combined, referred to as the Interim Reference Level (IRL). This level is based on blood concentrations linked to adverse health effects across different demographics.
For those who could become pregnant, the IRL is set at 8.8 micrograms per day; for children, it’s 2.2 micrograms. For the general adult population, the limit is 12.5 micrograms per day. All foods, drugs, and dietary supplements that contain lead contribute to this cumulative daily exposure, which should remain below these thresholds.
Findings of the Report
The nonprofit group discovered that 16 out of the 23 tested products exceeded the 0.5 micrograms limit deemed safe by them.
Moreover, four products exceeded 2.2 micrograms, which is the FDA’s cutoff for daily lead intake for children. Two products accounted for 72% and 88%, respectively, of the total daily amount of lead recommended for pregnant women.
Consumer Reports also identified two products that exceeded their safety limits for cadmium per serving, while one product contained more arsenic than they consider acceptable.
Their cadmium limit is set at 4.1 micrograms per day, and for arsenic, it is 7 micrograms. These numbers are relatively close to the FDA’s exposure limits for cadmium and arsenic from individual products. For cadmium, the FDA’s limit is 5 micrograms per day and 15 micrograms for arsenic.
The source of protein appeared to be significant: Plant-based protein products contained nine times more lead than dairy proteins like whey, and double the amount found in beef-derived protein.
Origins of Heavy Metal Contamination
Heavy metals like lead are abundant in volcanic rock, originating from magma beneath the Earth’s surface. As this rock erodes, heavy metals infiltrate local soil and water supplies. Certain crop plants are particularly effective at absorbing heavy metals from the soil, embedding them in the parts of the plants consumed by humans.
Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels that originate deep within the Earth releases heavy metals into the air; these subsequently settle in soils and water systems. Moreover, various fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides may contain heavy metals, further exacerbating soil and water contamination.
Elevated levels of heavy metals have been detected in plant-based protein powders, as well as in spices like cinnamon, dark chocolate, root vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes, rice, legumes like pea pods, and various herbal supplements.
Should Consumers Be Concerned? What Can Be Done?
Occasional exceedance of the daily recommended heavy metal limits is unlikely to lead to significant health issues.
However, chronic exposure to heavy metals can be detrimental. As they accumulate in the body, these metals can impair cognitive functions, damage nerves, weaken bones, and increase blood pressure, thus raising the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. Additionally, heavy metals may elevate the risk of cancer.
It’s crucial to highlight that all the flagged products by Consumer Reports contain lead levels significantly below the FDA’s maximum daily exposure guidelines.
To minimize risk, consumers might opt for dairy- or animal-based protein sources, as they generally exhibited lower heavy metal contamination than their plant-based counterparts. However, some plant-based products in the study had acceptable levels of heavy metals. Because heavy metal concentrations can vary widely based on environmental factors, the findings from Consumer Reports represent merely a snapshot in time and may not hold up across different batches, especially if manufacturers alter their raw ingredient sources.
For products that display particularly high levels of heavy metals, using them sporadically rather than consistently may help reduce exposure. Research suggests that organic plant-based products typically contain fewer heavy metals than those from conventional farming.
Lastly, since Consumer Reports’ study evaluated heavy metals in single servings of protein products, it’s beneficial to grasp what constitutes a serving for specific products and to avoid suddenly increasing daily consumption.
In conclusion, the varying levels of lead across different protein powders and prepared protein products underscore the urgent need for manufacturers to enhance their product testing and adhere to good manufacturing practices.
