Lead Has Been Found in Common Protein Powders: What Now?

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I have used protein powder for workout recovery (intra- and post-workout) for more than twenty years. For most of that time, my go-to brand was Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey. A few years ago, I switched to Naked Nutrition to get away from the artificial sweeteners found in many popular protein powders. Naked’s promise sounded ideal: non-GMO, pasture-fed cows, soy-free, premium ingredients, and their slogan, “Only three premium ingredients with nothing to hide.” Given all that, I was surprised to see Naked Nutrition ranked among the highest for lead content in protein powders in a recent Consumer Reports 2025 study. Not far behind was my former favorite, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey.

It feels like it’s getting harder to find truly clean food and supplements that are safe to use every day, especially for those of us who take fitness and recovery seriously.

What the Study Found About Lead in Protein Powders

Consumer Reports tested 23 popular protein powders and shakes and found that more than two-thirds contained more lead per serving than experts consider safe to consume in one day. Plant-based protein powders had the highest tested levels, averaging nine times more lead than dairy-based powders. Still, half of the whey and dairy options tested contained enough lead for experts to advise against daily use. Per the Consumer Reports study, the worst results came from Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer, which contained about 1,570 percent of the safety limit for lead. Other brands that ranked high in lead levels included Huel Black Edition, Garden of Life, and Momentous Plant Protein. Even well-known names like Quest, Orgain, Muscle Milk, and Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass showed measurable amounts of lead, cadmium, or arsenic.

Cumulative exposure is the primary danger.

While one scoop won’t hurt you, lead builds up in the body over time. Long-term exposure has been linked to kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive issues. Doctors agree that the ideal level of lead exposure is zero. Because most of us use these products daily, risks can quietly grow over time.

How Lead Ends Up in Protein Powders

According to Consumer Reports and other nutrition researchers, heavy metals like lead often come from the soil where plants are grown or from equipment used in supplement manufacturing. Unfortunately, the FDA does not regulate supplements the same way it regulates food or medicine, so there are currently no strict limits for heavy metals in protein powders. This lack of oversight allows companies to market “clean” or “natural” products without proving they’re free from contaminants.

What Consumer Reports Recommends

Consumer Reports suggests that most people don’t need to use protein powder every day, since the average person already gets enough protein from food. For those who use supplements regularly or to kick-start recovery intra- and post-workout, here’s what they recommend based on their findings:

• Avoid the products that tested highest for lead in their study.

• Choose lower-lead options such as Transparent Labs Mass Gainer, Momentous Whey Isolate, and Dymatize Super Mass Gainer, which tested below daily safety limits.

• Cycle your supplements by taking breaks or rotating brands to reduce long-term exposure.

• Get protein from whole foods like eggs, fish, chicken, beans, and Greek yogurt when possible.

Why Staying Informed Matters

After more than twenty years of using protein powders and sadly learning the results of the Consumer Reports study, I’m reminded that lifelong fitness is about staying educated and adaptable. Having years of experience or great results doesn’t mean we know everything. Science is always changing, and new studies are always being conducted to help us better understand what we can do to stay in the best of health. This post is meant to raise awareness for people who care about lifelong health and fitness. Whether your goal is muscle recovery, better energy, or maintaining strength as you age, staying informed is part of the process. Just because a product works or has great reviews–or a reassuring slogan–that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Science changes, and so does manufacturing. New studies continue to reveal how even trusted brands can contain harmful substances that are not disclosed on packaging.

If you’ve changed your supplement routine, found a cleaner protein powder, or started relying more on whole foods, I’d love to hear your experience. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

LLAFIT Senior Writer/Editor

As an athlete for over 23 years and a broke single mom for most of that time, I created brokesinglemomfitness.com, now LLAFIT.com, to aid anyone who believes the road to fitness requires a lot of cash or time. In reality, the way to fitness is paved with knowledge and firm principles; teaching readers how to master both is the goal of this site. LLAFIT: Lifelong Applied Fitness.