Protein powders have entered a high consumption threshold under a mantle that appears to be healthy; However, studies reveal that abuse of these products can be harmful due to the excess lead they contain.
Berlin, October 21 (DW).- Born in gyms and bodybuilding forums, proteins in powder they made the leap to the great public and today they are a million-dollar business. The protein fever has colonized shelves and social networks: from cereals and pasta to energy drinkseverything promises “more strength in every sip.” But behind this obsession could hide a uncomfortable secret.
An exhaustive investigation of Consumer Reports published on October 14 revealed that many of these products are contaminated con toxic heavy metals. The analysis evaluated 23 very popular protein shakes and powders in USAand most showed traces of lead above what is recommended: in more than two thirds, a single portion exceeded the level considered safe for the daily consumption. In some cases, the figures multiplied that limit by ten.
The most worrying results were recorded in certain protein powders of plant origin – although not all products of this type presented high levels -, with servings that exceeded between 12 and 15 times the level of lead that Consumer Reports considered safe (0.5 micrograms daily).
In the most extreme cases, tests detected between 6 and 8 micrograms of lead per serving.
The chemistry of Consumer Reports who led the trials, Tunde Akinleye, was blunt: “We advise against daily consumption of most protein powders, as many have high levels of heavy metals and none are necessary to achieve protein goals.”
my latest investigation for @ConsumerReports is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements
we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day — some by more than 10 times ! pic.twitter.com/4APPhvWSRv
— paris martineau (@parismartineau) October 14, 2025
The most worrying thing is that the pollution has worsened over time. As explained by the journalist Consumer Reports Paris Martineau a Fortunethe worst product tested this time contained almost twice as much lead as the worst product tested 15 years ago. Experts would expect safety standards to improve as the industry matures, but that hasn’t been the case.
Where does lead come from?
Many would assume that the contamination comes from negligent manufacturing, but the reality is more complex. According to media reports, the problem begins at the source: plant-based protein powders were the most contaminated category, with lead levels approximately nine times higher than those found in dairy proteins such as whey.
Plants act like sponges, absorbing everything in their environment. As Michael White, professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut, explained in The Conversationif there is lead or cadmium in the soil – common due to the erosion of volcanic rocks, the combustion of fossil fuels and the use of certain fertilizers – plants also absorb those metals. Additionally, intensive processing to turn peas or other plants into powder can intensify contamination.
It is worth noting that the samples analyzed were purchased anonymously from US stores and platforms over a three-month period, so the findings specifically reflect contamination levels in versions marketed in the United States.
Although they cannot be directly extrapolated to batches distributed in other markets, the finding highlights a potential risk also present in other environmental contexts.
An alarming regulatory vacuum
As reported Fortuneone of the risk factors is the lack of prior controls: being classified as dietary supplements, protein powders are marketed with little supervision before reaching the consumer.
In the United States, there is no federal limit that sets the maximum amount of lead in these supplements. The industry relies on its own self-regulation and, in many cases, does not publish its test results. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for its part, does not evaluate or approve products before they are sold.
The figures speak for themselves: according to data cited by Fortunethe FDA inspected only 600 of the 12,000 registered supplement manufacturers last year. Only 90 of those inspections were at foreign plants, even though much of the U.S. supply chain passes through factories abroad.
Some brands point to National Science Foundation (NSF) safety certifications as proof of purity, but Consumer Reports warns that the NSF allows 10 micrograms of lead per day, 20 times the CR limit of 0.5 micrograms, which comes from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
According to experts, it is a conservative standard, but not for nothing: there is no known safe amount of lead, especially in prolonged exposure. For comparison, the FDA sets the reference level at 8.8 micrograms daily for adults and 2.2 micrograms for children.
In that sense, as researcher Sana Mujahid recalled, the ideal is to keep exposure “as low as possible.”
Our tests of popular dairy, beef, and plant-based protein products found plant-based options had the highest lead levels, 9x as much as dairy and 2x as much as beef. Even dairy powders weren’t risk-free: half were too contaminated for safe daily use. pic.twitter.com/DaV9KmR2o9
— Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) October 14, 2025
Do we really need that much protein?
Martineau expressed it clearly to Fortune: “Many people don’t need as much protein as they think.” Unless you belong to a special group – certain athletes, pregnant women or older adults – you only need 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, something easy to obtain with whole foods.
A 63-kilogram adult needs only about 53 grams of protein daily, an amount achievable with a cup of Greek yogurt and a chicken breast, or a serving of tofu with beans, according to Harvard Health.
In fact, most Americans already easily exceed this amount: Protein accounts for about 16 percent of daily calories, higher than the 10 percent suggested as an average in dietary guidelines.
The problem is cultural. “Basically, we have a kind of halo of health around proteins,” Martineau said. Proteins have become a branding tool, an excuse to transform processed foods into wellness objects. But adding protein to something doesn’t make it a shortcut to health.
Should we worry?
There is no reason to be alarmed if you have consumed these products occasionally. Even those with the highest levels of lead are far below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm. However, according to experts, we must be cautious, since repeated and high exposure to heavy metals can be harmful.
Lead remains in the body and can accumulate over time, causing delays in mental functioning, nerve damage, weakening of bones, high blood pressure and increased risk of cancer. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
What can consumers do?
For those who wish to continue using these products, experts suggest choosing proteins of dairy or animal origin, which generally have less contamination than plant-based ones. Although some vegan products in the study did not have high levels, the variation is significant.
Using these products more sporadically rather than daily can also reduce exposure, and opting for organic options can help as they tend to have fewer heavy metals.
But perhaps the best advice is the least appealing: Eating whole foods is the true shortcut to health, much more so than maximizing protein with processed products.