Consumer Reports Rips Protein Powders, Shakes for High Lead Levels

Consumer Reports released the results of its latest testing of protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes this week, and reported that more than two-thirds of the 23 items tested contained more lead than levels considered safe by the publication’s food safety experts, and some of them by more than 10 times higher than the safe amount.

Tunde Akinleye, the CR food safety researcher who led this project, said the results were “even worse than the last time we tested,” which was 15 years ago, according to the report. Not only was the average level of lead higher for all the products than it was previously, Akinleye added that fewer products were found to have undetectable amounts of lead. And the worst product on the list was found to have a lead level nearly twice as high as that of the worst product 15 years ago.

CR found that lead levels in plant-based varieties of these products were nine times higher on average than products containing dairy proteins (such as whey), and twice as high as beef-based products on the list. Two plant-based products tested contained between 1,200% and 1,600% of CR’s level of concern for lead, which is 0.5 micrograms per day — and CR advised against using those products ever. Dairy-based protein powders and shakes generally were found to have the lowest amounts of lead, but for half of those, CR advised against daily use for high levels of lead.

CR lowered the temperature a bit on the report, saying consumers had “no reason to panic” if they’re using these products, since even the products containing the highest levels of lead are still below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm — but that consumers should weigh the risk of consuming these products frequently (or daily) to get protein that they’re likely already getting through other ways in their regular diets. The greatest danger from lead comes from repeated or continuous exposure, CR added.

CR has been testing food and beverage products for lead and other heavy metals quite a bit over the last few years, having found heavy metals including lead in some chocolate bars, and lead in some lunch and snack kits.

Furthermore, it has acted as a watchdog over the baby foods category’s compliance with California requirements to test products at least monthly for levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. It also has gone after sodium levels in those lunch and snack kits, and gone after food and beverage companies for their use of artificial dyes over the years.