Should You Worry About Lead in Protein Powder?

ICYMI, Consumer Reports recently released a study that found high levels of lead in a handful of popular protein powders. But before you chuck your shaker bottle across the room, let's talk about what those findings mean. To understand the implications, I spoke to a registered dietician, as well as REP's VP of Nutrition, Connor Shehan. 

Wait, How Does Lead Even Get Into Protein Powder?

Registered dietician Lisa Valente, MS, RD, explains that lead can enter our food via the soil. In fact, lead occurs naturally in soil but — tale as old as time — human activity has increased lead levels over the years. A few culprits include emissions from vehicles that use leaded gasoline, runoff from industrial sites, and residue from older homes that used lead-based paint. 

Grass grows from soil, cows eat grass, milk comes from cows, whey protein comes from milk... ya follow? And the Earth connection means that lead is even more prevalent plant-based products. "Lead occurs naturally in soil, which means plant-derived proteins, including sources like pea, pumpkin, and hemp, inherently contain higher levels than whey protein," explains Connor Shehan, VP of Nutrition for Purist.

What Exactly Did Consumer Reports Find? 

The CR report stacked 23 protein powders and pre-made shakes against the most rigorous limits in the industry and found that the majority of those brands (over two thirds) exceeded what Consumer Reports' team of experts deem a "safe" daily amount. 

"The Consumer Reports investigation used Prop 65 limits which are 0.5 micrograms per day," explains Valente. "The FDA's levels are significantly higher than that, but they don't set strict limits. Rather, they use what they call interim reference levels for children and women of childbearing age." 

Should We Freak Out?

In short, no. The Consumer Reports article states, "There’s no reason to panic if you’ve been using any of the products we tested, or if you take protein supplements generally. 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."

But we should stay vigilant. "It can always feel scary when you hear about lead in your food," says Valente. "That's one reason why it is key to eat a variety of different foods and not overdo it on one food or product." 

The truth is, a little lead is inevitable. "In a dream world we wouldn't get any lead in our diet but that isn't realistic. We need to eat," says Valente. "I think the article does scare people unnecessarily, but it also speaks to the importance of making sure you get a protein powder that is independently tested." (More on that below.)

"I think it's also important to call out that lead and heavy metals aren’t specific to protein powders," adds Shehan. "Any sort of consumable product that comes from the ground has a potential to test high for lead." If you're still feeling spooked, Shehan suggests opting for a whey-based protein powder over a plant-based powder.

What You Can Do

Know what's in your powder

The supplement industry is tough to regulate and, as a result, is filled with bad actors. Third-party seals of approval are your best filter. Look for certifications like Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport, both indicate the product has been independently tested for safety, banned substances, and label accuracy.

"NSF and Informed Choice are my go-to third-party labs that test whether products are safe, free of banned substances, and accurate related to what's on their packaging," says Shehan. "I'd also recommend a product with a Nutrition Facts Panel rather than a Supplement Facts Panel, since products with a Nutrition Facts Panel are regulated as a food."

Purist® Whey Protein checks both boxes since it carries the NSF seal, uses grass-fed whey protein isolate with only four ingredients, and skips the artificial flavors, colors, sugar alcohols, and sweeteners that show up in lower-quality powders. Shehan specifically recommends isolate over concentrate: "The removal of fat and lactose in isolate sits in your stomach much better."

Diversify your protein intake

Protein powder is convenient, but it shouldn't be your only source of the macro. Whole food sources like eggs, cottage cheese, chicken, and beef deliver protein alongside micronutrients and dietary variety that no powder replicates. "Protein powder helps make hitting your protein goals easier, especially when you're on the go — but we need to be eating real food for protein too," says Valente.

When busy days don't leave enough time for full meals, Purist® High Protein Bars are a clean, whole-food-adjacent alternative — made with real ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, and low in added sugar. For more practical ideas on building protein into your day, Meal Prep Ideas will get you started.

The Takeaway

There's no cause for panic, but staying selective about what you buy matters. "We should all be looking for notable brands that use proven and trustworthy manufacturers with highly capable quality teams and testing standards," says Shehan. Third-party testing, a short ingredient list, and a whey isolate base are the clearest signals a powder is worth your money. Go forth and enjoy your smoothies.

Jamey Powell, NASM-CPT, 200-Hour RYT, is a Brooklyn-based writer with eight years of experience covering a broad range of fitness and lifestyle topics. When she’s not exercising or writing, you can catch her producing indie films, crocheting, and playing video games. 

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, for accuracy.