Protein Powder Lead Levels Raise Concerns About Safety of Many Products: Report

Nearly half of the top-selling protein powder brands contain potentially dangerous levels of heavy metals.

Research shows that many protein powders marketed for fitness and weight loss contain harmful contaminants, including cadmium and lead, which have been linked to kidney damage, neurological problems and increased cancer risk.

The findings were published in an article by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) last month, based on a recent third party study, which tested various protein powder products for heavy metals and other potential contaminants.

Heavy metals are chemical elements like cadmium and lead that can accumulate in the body because they do not break down easily. In high amounts they may cause neurological disorders, gastrointestinal issues, kidney and liver damage, and increase the risk of certain cancers.

They have been detected in many commonly used products, including vapors from e-cigarettes, snack and nutrition bars and tampons.

Children are especially vulnerable to toxic heavy metals, which can severely impair brain development and negatively affect overall health. In recent years, studies have discovered contamination from metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in baby food products.

These findings have led to a growing number of toxic baby food lawsuits, alleging that manufacturers prioritized profits over safety by failing to adequately test ingredients and finished products for harmful heavy metals.

In a new study reported on by EWG, the Clean Label Project tested 160 products from 70 top-selling protein powder brands and found that 47% contained toxic metals such as lead and cadmium at levels exceeding California’s Proposition 65 safety limits, which require warnings for chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

Whey-based protein powders tended to have lower levels of heavy metals, but 28% of whey products still tested above California’s Proposition 65 safety threshold for lead.

Additionally, protein powders may contain harmful additives such as artificial food dyes, often used to create eye-catching colors, which have been linked to behavioral and developmental issues in children and the potential for an increased risk of cancer.

Artificial sweeteners are also often added to protein powders to improve flavor and have been linked to stomach issues such as aches, bloating and diarrhea, as well as an increase in the risk of certain heart diseases.

Toxic Metals in Baby Food

Toxic metals in baby foods has been an ongoing concern since at least 2021, when a Congressional report confirmed that many baby food products manufactured and sold by Gerber, Beech-Nut Nutrition, Plum, Hain, Campbell, Walmart, Sprout and other companies contain dangerous levels of heavy metals.

In April 2025, the majority of toxic baby food lawsuits were cleared to move forward, which totaled 156 claims, and was nearly three times the number of claims that had been filed since late in the prior year.

On September 2, 2025, the Texas Attorney General launched an investigation into Gerber and Plum Organics over unreasonably high levels of arsenic, cadmium and mercury in their baby food products.

While the outcome of that trial will not have any binding impact on other claims, it will be closely watched as any jury payout awarded may influence how much the manufacturers need to pay in autism or ADHD settlements to resolve the litigation.

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