Key Summary
- Consumer Reports found unsafe lead levels in most of 23 tested protein powders and shake mixes
- Some products, especially plant-based ones, have severe lead contamination crossing the safe limit
- Experts warn against daily use, as there is no safe level of lead exposure
Protein powders and instant shake mixes contain unsafe amounts of lead in them, according to analysis by the consumer watchdog, Consumer Reports.
The results were published after examination of twenty-three protein powders and instant shake mixes.
Two-thirds of the samples were shown to have an unhealthy quantity of lead for human beings in just a single serving.
Lead is a toxic metal that gets stored in the consumers’ bones and is excreted very slowly.
Long-term exposure can cause neurological damage and other serious health issues.
Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer had the highest lead level at 7.7 micrograms per serving, nearly double the worst result from 2010.
Most plant-based powders showed elevated lead levels, and two were so high that Consumer Reports advised avoiding them entirely, with some servings reaching up to 1,600 per cent of the safe limit.
Such an amount of this toxic metal should not be ingested by people within a day.
Researchers revealed that lead contamination is getting worse in some supplements.
Over the past few years, Consumer Reports has found more protein powders with unsafe lead levels and fewer products completely free of lead.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there is no known safe level of lead exposure.
Tunde Akinleye, a Consumer Reports food safety researcher said, “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.”
