A recent Consumer Reports (CR) study found that fitness enthusiasts and others using protein supplements may be ingesting lead along with their protein powders and shakes. The CR findings, which were reported in October 2025, reveal that more than two-thirds of the 23 powders and ready-to-drink shakes tested contained concerning levels of the toxic chemical.
“The reality is that these heavy metals are in soil, so they’re in most of the food you’re consuming,” says Iain McMichael, CEO and co-founder of RISE311. “That being said, for a supplement, you should be able to trust it’s clean. You’re paying extra money to supplement your diet, so the last thing you want to be doing is getting extra heavy metals or plastic residues from industrial runoff.”
McMichael is a visionary founder committed to empowering healthier bodies and a healthier world through innovative products that contribute to a sustainable future. He launched RISE311 with celebrity trainer Jason Walsh to develop a plant-based product that provides all the benefits of whey protein powders in a bioavailable, cleaner, and more sustainable formula.
“Because heavy metals are natural, I think they’re always going to be present to some degree,” McMichael says. “Even the highest quality pea proteins in the world, extracted from the highest quality plants in the world, will have traces of these heavy metals because they’re in the soil. What you can be doing to solve this as a consumer is look for higher quality protein supplements that utilize higher quality protein sources.”
How the best protein powders avoid high levels of lead
As many experts point out, lead in protein powder is primarily due to lead in the soil where protein sources are grown. Consequently, consumers may never find a “clean” protein powder that is entirely devoid of heavy metals. A more achievable goal is to focus on identifying “cleaner” powders or shakes with lower levels of chemicals.
McMichael advises consumers who want cleaner protein to focus on finding powders made with higher-quality supplements. He warns against using supplements containing components sourced from countries with poor soil quality due to industrial runoff and other environmental conditions.
“I think a big point is that a lot of protein powders, even some so-called ‘premium protein powders,’ are made using cheap raw ingredients,” McMichael warns. “You want to look for things like ‘Made in the USA’ and ‘Grown in the USA’ on the packaging because both of those things typically mean better soil quality, better manufacturing practices, and cleaner processes than you’ll find in other parts of the world.”
McMichael also warns that consumers shouldn’t assume protein powders are cleaner just because they include organic components. He asserts — and the CR study confirms — that organic protein powders can actually contain higher concentrations of lead and other heavy metals.
“In the food industry, ‘organic’ translates to lower pesticide content, lower heavy metals, and cleaner overall agricultural practices,” McMichael explains. “But that’s not necessarily the case in the protein industry, because most of the certified organic pea proteins are actually grown overseas.”
How whey protein compares to plant-based protein
The CR study found that the plant-based protein powders it tested had higher levels of lead than those made with animal-based protein, which would seem to indicate that animal-based powders are a safer option. But CR warned that even though the levels in animal-based products were lower, they were still high enough to raise concerns for those whose protein intake includes daily doses.
Protein powders are either animal-based, which often utilize whey protein, or plant-based. Generally, whey protein is considered superior for users focused on muscle growth, as it provides a complete protein source. However, plant-based powders can use a protein blend that provides the essential amino acids needed to support muscle growth, often by mixing pea protein and brown rice protein.
McMichael suggests that once safe alternatives are identified, the choice between plant-based and animal-based protein powders should be based on personal preferences and goals.
“Ultimately, it comes down to how you feel with the particular protein powder,” McMichael says. “For example, whey proteins are known to cause digestive issues. When you find a powder that you look forward to using, it can really help you to keep complying with your protein goals on an ongoing basis.”
Protein powders are considered supplements and are therefore beyond the purview of the US Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, any testing for safety or purity is done voluntarily. CR hopes to encourage consumers to be aware of the dangers they may face, but any significant changes in practices remain at the industry’s discretion.
“The industry can reduce heavy metal levels, and it should be trying to make that happen,” McMichael says. “But are we going to see the industry turn on its head overnight? Absolutely not. Still, I think having the conversations and asking the questions is one of the most important things here. It’s a good conversation to have.”
