A major investigation by Consumer Reports found troubling levels of toxic heavy metals — including lead, arsenic and cadmium — in popular protein powders.
The findings carry heightened concern for Black Americans, who are more likely to use such dietary supplements for fitness and muscle recovery and who already face disproportionate exposure to environmental toxins.
The new report tested 23 bestselling protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes and revealed that more than two-thirds of the products contained lead in amounts exceeding what the organization considers safe for daily consumption.
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Some plant-based powders had lead levels more than ten times the threshold, while dairy-based and beef-based options generally tested lower. Still, none were free of concern.
The elevated risk is especially concerning for Black communities, which have endured a heavier burden of hazardous environmental exposure — due in part to historic housing segregation, zoning decisions, and industrial siting in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
In fact, a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report confirmed that racial and socioeconomic disparities persist in lead exposure across the United States.
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“It’s concerning that these results are even worse than the last time we tested,” said Tunde Akinleye, Consumer Reports chemist and food-safety researcher who led the project.
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Heavy metals in supplements
The Consumer Reports study found that plant-based powders contained average lead levels nine times higher than dairy-based options. The worst offender — Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer — contained 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving, roughly 1,570 percent of the organization’s concern threshold of 0.5 micrograms per day.
Another powder had 1,290 percent of the threshold; still others ranged between 400 and 600 percent. Experts agree that while a single serving may not cause immediate harm, the risk comes from daily consumption and accumulating exposure.
“Why take in unnecessary lead with protein powder?” said Rose Goldman, MD, associate professor of medicine at Cambridge Health Alliance, in the report. Lead persists in the body and contributes over time to health issues such as high blood pressure, kidney damage, immune suppression and reproductive problems.
Disproportionate impact on Black Americans
Black Americans carry a heavier burden of environmental toxin exposure from multiple sources — including soil, air, water and housing — to begin with. According to a NIH-funded study of 26,000 children in North Carolina, Black children living in racially segregated and highly polluted neighborhoods experienced the worst effects from lead exposure.
That research found reading scores dropped significantly when children were exposed to both high lead levels and neighborhood segregation. And according to Medical News Today, Black children in the U.S. still have higher blood-lead levels than other racial groups, largely because of older housing stock, legacy pollution and proximity to heavy industry.
Given that Black Americans are reportedly more likely to turn to protein supplements for strength, recovery and wellness — and to live in neighborhoods with elevated environmental threats — the heavy-metal findings are especially alarming for this demographic.
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What you can do
Nutrition specialists say most healthy adults already consume more than enough protein through whole foods and may not need the supplements tested. Experts recommend limiting use, especially of powders with plant-based proteins, unless certified by a reputable third-party standard.
Look for products tested for heavy metals and manufactured by companies that disclose source ingredients and third-party certifications. If you use a supplement daily, consider switching to safer protein sources such as dairy-based powders or whole-food proteins like Greek yogurt or lean meat.
Even occasional use should involve checking product reviews and verifying that heavy-metal tests were done.
For Black Americans and other communities already facing disproportionate environmental risks, these findings serve as a wake-up call to scrutinize what’s in their supplement bottles. With heavy-metal exposure linked to chronic illness, heart disease and other threats — particularly in a population already dealing with health disparities — the need for safer options is urgent.
Less oversight, increased risk
Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements such as protein powders are not reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before sale. The FDA does not enforce comprehensive limits for heavy-metal content in supplements. “The lack of enforceable standards means it doesn’t happen nearly enough,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports.
Industry trade groups argue that exceeding Consumer Reports’ concern thresholds does not prove imminent harm. But public-health experts note there is no known safe level of lead in the body, a point underscored by both the EPA and World Health Organization.
