A recent investigation has revealed that many protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes contain lead, raising questions about their safety. However, Consumer Reports, the nonprofit organization behind the study, reassures consumers that there is no immediate cause for alarm. "Many of these powders are fine to have occasionally, and even those with the highest lead levels are far below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm," the organization stated.

Consumer Reports first tested protein supplements for lead in 2010. In its latest analysis, conducted 15 years later, the organization found that average lead levels have increased, and fewer products are free from contamination. Out of 23 protein powders and shakes tested, more than two-thirds contained lead levels exceeding what experts consider safe for daily consumption. The organization used California's strict standard of 0.5 micrograms of lead per day as a benchmark.

The popularity of protein supplements has surged in recent years, extending beyond fitness enthusiasts to mainstream consumers. Major brands, including Starbucks, have introduced protein-boosted beverages. In Canada, the protein powder market is projected to grow nearly five percent annually.

Tunde Akinleye, a chemist and food safety researcher at Consumer Reports, expressed concern over the findings. "It’s concerning that these results are even worse than the last time we tested," he said. The investigation identified Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer powder as having the highest lead levels at 7.7 micrograms per serving, nearly double the highest level found in the 2010 analysis.

James Clark, Naked Nutrition’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the company's commitment to safety. He stated that the company sources ingredients from "select suppliers" who provide evidence of heavy metal inspections. Following the report, Naked Nutrition commissioned a third-party test, which confirmed that no heavy metals exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) reference intake levels.

The FDA's interim reference levels for lead are 8.8 micrograms per day for adults and 2.2 micrograms for children. Huel's Black Edition powder was the second-highest in lead content, with 6.3 micrograms per serving. Rebecca Williams, head of nutrition at Huel, asserted that their products are "completely safe" and that the lead content is "well within internationally recognized safety limits."

Consumer Reports tested a variety of protein supplements, including those derived from beef, dairy, and plants. Dairy proteins, such as whey, generally had the lowest lead levels, while plant-based products contained the highest average levels of lead—nine times that of dairy and twice that of beef-based proteins.

Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, explained that lead contamination can occur through polluted soil, which plants can absorb. "Once that lead gets contaminated, the plants can absorb more lead than usual," he said. Lead is a naturally occurring element in soil and is found in all foods, albeit typically at low levels.

The World Health Organization warns that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Long-term exposure can lead to accumulation in the body, posing greater risks to vulnerable populations, including children, infants, and pregnant women.

Despite the findings, Consumer Reports advises against making protein supplements a daily habit for most products. Akinleye noted that the potential harms of heavy metal exposure outweigh the benefits, as most individuals can meet their protein needs through a balanced diet. "We advise against daily use for most protein powders, since many have high levels of heavy metals, and none are necessary to hit your protein goals," he concluded.