Key takeaways
- In Consumer Reports’ 2025 test of 23 protein powders and shakes, more than two-thirds had more lead in one labeled serving than its daily level of concern, 0.5 micrograms.
- In that test, plant-based powders had the most lead: on average about 9 times as much as dairy-based powders and twice as much as beef-based ones.
- There is no federal lead limit for protein powder. The FDA’s interim reference level of 8.8 micrograms a day covers all food combined, and it’s a benchmark, not a safe allowance.
- To get less lead, look for brands that publish lead per serving, lean on dairy protein when they don’t, and don’t make powder your daily default.
What the 2025 test found
In October 2025, Consumer Reports (CR) published tests of 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes made from dairy, beef and plants.[1] It bought the products anonymously and tested two to four lots of each over three months.
CR compared the lead in one labeled serving, which is sometimes more than one scoop, with a daily “level of concern” of 0.5 micrograms. That number comes from California’s Proposition 65, which CR calls the most protective lead standard available.[1][3]
What it found:
- More than two-thirds of the products had more lead in a single serving than CR’s level for a whole day. Some went over by more than 10 times.
- Plant-based powders were highest. On average they had about 9 times the lead of dairy-based powders and twice that of beef-based ones.
- Dairy was lowest, but not always low. Half of the dairy products still went over CR’s level.
- Other metals showed up too. Three products went over CR’s levels for cadmium or inorganic arsenic.
Average lead per serving, compared with dairy-based powders
- Dairy (whey, milk protein)1×
- Beef-basedabout 4.5×
- Plant-based (pea)about 9×
In January 2026, CR tested five more powders that readers asked about. Four were below its 0.5 µg level, and the fifth was just above it, at 0.53 µg.[7] The results are averages across lots, so a single tub you buy may differ.
How much lead is too much?
Lead is measured in micrograms (µg), which are millionths of a gram. Three numbers come up a lot, and they mean different things:
| Benchmark | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| California Prop 65 | 0.5 µg | California’s “safe harbor” level for reproductive harm. Exposures above it may need a warning label. CR uses it as its level of concern. |
| FDA, children | 2.2 µg | The FDA’s interim reference level for lead from all food in a day. |
| FDA, adults | 8.8 µg | The FDA’s interim reference level for women who are or could become pregnant. An FDA spokesperson told CR it should apply to all adults. |
The FDA’s levels cover everything you eat in a day, not one product. A scoop with 2 µg of lead is already about 23% of the 8.8 µg level. These levels are benchmarks for judging exposure, not a safe daily allowance.
Lead builds up in the body over time. In children, no safe blood lead level has been found, and lead can harm learning and development.[4] That’s why experts focus on steady, everyday sources.
Why some plant-based powders tested higher
Lead is a natural part of the earth’s crust. Plants take up what’s in the soil, water and air around them, so crops grown in soil with more lead can carry more of it.[1]
Processing can add more. Making pea protein means hulling, grinding and separating the protein with water, and each step is a chance for contamination. CR couldn’t tell whether the lead came from the peas, the processing or both.[1]
None of this means plant protein is bad for you. It means a plant-based powder is worth checking more carefully than most foods.
How to choose a protein powder with less lead
People search for “lead-free protein powder,” but a test can’t prove zero. A “lead-free” or “not detected” result means the amount was below what that lab could measure. Ask for the number instead.
- Look for published test results that list lead in micrograms per serving, ideally for the batch you bought. Under 0.5 µg per serving is below CR’s level of concern, though it doesn’t mean lead-free.
- Default to dairy protein (whey or milk protein) when a brand doesn’t publish results. CR suggests the same.[1]
- Read any Prop 65 warning. It names the chemical involved, but it won’t tell you how much lead is in a serving.
- Ask what “third-party tested” covered. Some programs test only for banned substances, not heavy metals.
- Use less, less often. A half scoop or a few times a week cuts lead in proportion.
- Take extra care for children, during pregnancy, or if you could become pregnant.[1]
For brand-by-brand results, see CR’s full chart.[1] Prices and formulas change, so recheck a product before you buy it in bulk.
Getting protein from food instead
Most people can meet their protein needs with food.[1] The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines suggest 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight a day. For a 150-pound person, that’s about 82 to 109 grams.[5]
| Food | Amount | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast, cooked | 3 oz | about 26 g |
| Plain Greek yogurt | 1 cup | about 20 to 23 g |
| Salmon, cooked | 3 oz | about 19 to 22 g |
| Lentils, cooked | 1 cup | about 18 g |
| Eggs | 2 large | about 13 g |
Food brings fiber, vitamins and minerals along with the protein. If you still like a shake, a lower-lead powder a few times a week fits easily alongside meals like these.
Questions people ask
- Does all protein powder have lead?
- Most powders that have been tested contain some lead, because lead occurs naturally in soil and water. The amount varies a lot by product and by protein type, from very low to more than 10 times a strict daily limit per serving.
- Is whey protein lower in lead than plant protein?
- On average, yes. Consumer Reports found plant-based powders had about 9 times the lead of dairy-based powders. But half of the dairy products it tested still went over its strict daily level, so check the numbers for the product you use.
- How much lead is too much per day?
- No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. The FDA uses interim reference levels of 2.2 micrograms a day for children and 8.8 for women who could become pregnant, from all food combined, as benchmarks rather than safe allowances. California’s Prop 65 safe-harbor level is 0.5 micrograms a day.
- Should I stop using protein powder?
- Not necessarily. How much lead a shake adds depends on the product and the serving size. Choose a powder with published low lead results, use it a few times a week rather than every day, and get most of your protein from food.
- What is the best protein powder without heavy metals?
- A test can’t prove a powder has zero heavy metals, but some are far lower than others. Look for brands that publish lead, arsenic and cadmium per serving from an independent lab. Consumer Reports’ chart names the products it rated better choices for daily use.
Sources
- [1]Consumer Reports. Protein powders and shakes contain high levels of lead. October 2025, updated January 2026.
- [2]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Lead in food and foodwares. accessed October 2026.
- [3]California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Lead and lead compounds (Proposition 65). accessed October 2026.
- [4]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About childhood lead poisoning prevention. accessed October 2026.
- [5]U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. January 2026.
- [6]U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central. accessed October 2026.
- [7]Consumer Reports. These five protein powders had low lead levels. January 2026.
This article is for general information. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, dietitian or pediatrician. Purus gives estimates for general information; it is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat or prevent any condition.
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