Get motivated with a weekly summary on living a better life, simplified. Subscribe to CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for tips and resources aimed at enhancing your well-being.A recent investigation revealed that some over-the-counter protein powders may contain elevated levels of lead and cadmium, with the highest concentrations found in plant-based, organic, and chocolate-flavored products. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of lead for humans. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and is harmful to various systems in the body, as stated by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.“Organic protein powders had triple the amount of lead and double the cadmium compared to non-organic products on average,” stated Jaclyn Bowen, the executive director of the Clean Label Project, a nonprofit focused on transparent food labeling. This information was released in a new report.Plant-based powders, such as those derived from soy, rice, peas, and other sources, contained three times more lead than whey-based products, as per the report. The contamination of heavy metals in plants can be due to factors like mining, industrial waste, pesticides, and fertilizers added to the soil.Chocolate-flavored protein powders were reported to have significantly higher levels of lead and cadmium compared to vanilla-flavored powders. Despite the health benefits of dark chocolate, it has been found to harbor high levels of heavy metals, as shown in a study conducted in July 2024.“Heavy metal contamination is a significant concern in the food industry,” Bowen emphasized. “These contaminants are present in various products marketed as healthy foods.”The Council for Responsible Nutrition, representing supplement manufacturers, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the report regarding contamination thresholds and product selection criteria. They emphasized that modern analytical techniques can detect trace levels of naturally occurring elements, ensuring products meet safety standards set by regulatory agencies.For this investigation, the Clean Label Project tested 160 products from 70 top-selling protein powder brands. The specific brand names were not disclosed to maintain fairness and avoid potential conflicts of interest. Samples were analyzed for various contaminants, including heavy metals, by an independent certified laboratory.
Phthalates, perfluoroalkyl, and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, were among the contaminants investigated in the recent 2024 report. However, the report only detailed levels of lead, cadmium, bisphenol A (BPA), and its analogue bisphenol S (BPS). Additional data on other contaminants will be made available in a forthcoming update, as stated by Bowen.
Bisphenols, recognized as hormone disruptors, have been linked in studies to fetal abnormalities, low birth weight, as well as brain and behavior disorders in infants and children. In adults, these chemicals are associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, cancer, and an alarming 49% increased risk of premature death within a decade.
Bisphenol A was previously widely utilized in the manufacturing of baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula containers until concerned parents initiated a boycott over a decade ago. A separate examination of protein powders conducted by Clean Label in 2018 identified elevated levels of bisphenols. However, Bowen conveyed some positive news from the 2024 report, stating, “We found BPA and BPS in only three out of 160 protein powders, compared to 55% of the products tested in 2018.”
Researchers at the Clean Label Project assessed heavy metals by comparing lead and cadmium testing outcomes with the criteria established by California’s Proposition 65. Bowen emphasized the stringent nature of Prop 65, describing it as “arguably the most progressive law in the land when it comes to industrial environmental contaminants.”
In the 2024 report, it was revealed that 47% of the 160 protein powder samples tested exceeded the regulatory guidelines outlined by Prop 65. Approximately 21% of these powders contained levels double the Prop 65 limit. Notably, nearly 80% of the plant-based and organic protein powders surpassed the Prop 65 limit for lead, whereas only 26% of collagen-based protein products and 28% of whey-based products exceeded the California lead limit.
Bowen advised consumers that it is not imperative to discontinue the use of protein powders as part of a healthy lifestyle but encouraged shopping wisely. She suggested, “For individuals adhering to a fully plant-based diet, protein powders derived from peas seem to exhibit the lowest levels of heavy metals.” For those without dietary restrictions, Bowen recommended whey-based or egg-based, vanilla-flavored protein powders as potentially having the least amount of contaminants.
In addition to making informed choices when purchasing protein powders, Bowen underscored the importance of consumers reaching out to their preferred brands to inquire about contaminant levels. She stressed the significance of asking questions and seeking answers, emphasizing that the issue of heavy metals remains pertinent.
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