Investigation finds lead in protein supplements; How you can avoid the risks

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. —

A recent Consumer Reports investigation has revealed concerning levels of lead in some protein supplements, raising questions about their safety and prompting advice on alternative protein sources.

Lisa Reed, a health and fitness educator, emphasizes the importance of protein, especially for women over 40, and notes that protein powders can supplement other sources like meat, fish and beans.

WATCH LISA REED ON GULF COAST NEWS IN THE VIDEO BELOW:

Sana Mujahid, part of the Consumer Reports team that tested 23 protein products, said, "Not only have protein powders and shakes become more popular, there have already been reports about heavy metal contamination in these products."

She added, "Yes, we were surprised by the results. Levels of lead in these products were even higher than what we found 10 years ago."

The investigation identified Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer Vanilla and Huel Black Edition Chocolate as having the highest lead levels. Mujahid noted, "The good news is there are only two products that are in our avoid list."

Naked Nutrition responded, stating:

"Naked Nutrition is aware of the recent Consumer Reports article regarding heavy metals in protein powders. We take our customers’ health and product transparency extremely seriously and have reviewed the findings closely.

"It’s important to note that Naked Vegan Mass was the only vegan weight gainer included in the Consumer Reports testing. As a weight gainer, it has a significantly larger serving size - approximately 315 grams, or about six scoops - compared with the 30 to 50 grams typical of standard protein powders. This difference means that comparing 'per serving' data across products with drastically different serving sizes does not provide an accurate, apples-to-apples comparison. When viewed on a per-gram basis, our results are consistent with other plant-based protein products.

"Elements such as lead are naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust, and trace amounts can be present in plant-based ingredients worldwide. Because plants naturally absorb minerals and elements from soil, trace levels of heavy metals can be found in virtually all plant-derived foods and proteins, even in certified organic products, regardless of brand or country of origin.

"While Consumer Reports did not share its complete lab data, we reviewed the available information and verified results through independent third-party testing, which confirmed that no heavy metals exceeded FDA reference intake levels for adults, including for sensitive groups such as women of childbearing age.

"All Naked Nutrition ingredients are sourced from select suppliers that provide Certificates of Analysis, including heavy metals testing. We also retain samples from every production lot for ongoing verification, and Naked Vegan Mass Gainer is currently undergoing NSF Content Certification, which includes label-claim, toxicology, and contaminant testing.

"Naked Nutrition remains fully committed to transparency, science-based quality standards, and providing our customers with safe, high-quality nutrition products that meet or exceed all U.S. safety regulations."

Huel also responded, saying in part:

"Lead levels in Huel Black Edition (1.5–2.2 µg per serving) are consistent with what’s found in everyday meals and meet all international safety benchmarks. Independent testing confirms that lead and other trace minerals in Huel are far below global safety thresholds, including FDA, NSF, and EU/UK limits. Every batch is tested by accredited labs to ensure full compliance and transparency."

You can find Huel's website dedicated to lead concerns here.

Lead occurs naturally in the earth's crust, and plants can absorb it as they grow, which can then be ingested by animals. The World Health Organization warns that excessive lead exposure can cause long-term harm, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage, and can affect fetal growth during pregnancy. Mujahid emphasized, "Research has shown that there actually, there's actually no safe level of lead exposure."

To reduce lead exposure while maintaining protein intake, Reed suggests consuming chicken, turkey, lean red meats, eggs, fish and dairy products like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. She advises using protein shakes sparingly: "The goal with the protein shakes is you only want once, once a day, max."

Dr. Loureen Downes from Florida Gulf Coast University's nursing school recommends shopping at the periphery of grocery stores for nutrient-rich greens and limiting processed foods found in inner aisles.

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