"Picture this: you wake up, take out your blender, pour some milk in and reach for that ‘organic’ protein powder that's oh so good for you. You eagerly flick the on switch in waiting for that protein rich liquid gold. Little did you know that ‘healthy drink’ is destroying your body as it sits in your digestive tract." --Lilah Aparton 7th grade
Picture this: you wake up, take out your blender, pour some milk in and reach for that ‘organic’ protein powder that's oh so good for you. You eagerly flick the on switch in waiting for that protein rich liquid gold. Little did you know that ‘healthy drink’ is destroying your body as it sits in your digestive tract.
Various kinds of protein powder have been found to have traces of lead and cadmium. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), “no level of lead is safe for human consumption. Cadmium is known as a carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer) that attacks the liver, kidneys, heart, gut, brain, respiratory and reproductive systems.”
When peas, soy, rice and other plants are growing, they often grow in lead contaminated soil which therefore contaminates the plant. This is why plant-based protein powders have three times the amount of lead in whey ones (whey is the liquid byproduct of cheese production). Plants naturally absorb toxic chemicals from the earth's crust, but it becomes more dangerous to consume when the plants are grown near industrial waste, mining, and certain kinds of pesticides and fertilizers.
But plant-based protein powders aren’t the main villain here, chocolate protein powders have been found to have four times more lead and up to one hundred and thirteen times the amount of cadmium than vanilla-based powders. Domino Howlett-Cragg, a 7th grade Literary Arts student and protein powder expert says, “lead can be extremely harmful in large doses, as it may be scientifically proven that it can cause development issues and birth defects.”
There are safe protein powders to consume, but unfortunately no sources state the dangerous ones due to legal issues involved. However protein powders with the least amount of lead are often made from whey and vanilla flavored. According to Trustwell, “Claims made on the packaging of being "organic," "antibiotic-free," or "GMO-free," etc., will quickly lose value if manufacturers cannot back up these claims with evidence and timelines.”
Of course, budget cuts to the FDA do not help, according to the New York Times, “In states, a $34 million cut by the F.D.A. could reduce the number of employees who ensure that tainted products — like tin pouches of lead-laden applesauce sold in 2023 — are tested in labs and taken off store shelves”
Howlett-Cragg continues her thoughts, “I think that high lead content in protein powder is just a way to show how lazy the FDA is when it comes to harmful materials in our food, and also it concerns me on what health effects this may have on us.”
So, what health effects does lead consumption lead to, and how can people reduce them? According to the World Health Organization, “In particular, lead can permanently affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes including reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment. Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs”
According to a study by the Clean Label Project, “Surprisingly, there are no comprehensive federal regulations laws for heavy metals specifically targeting dietary exposure to heavy metals in food, with most safety efforts focused on physical and microbiological contaminants. However, recent discussions in Congress and the FDA are pushing for stricter standards on heavy metals and industrial chemicals in food products.”
Overall, 47% of the 160 protein powder samples tested by the Clean Label Project in 2024 exceeded Prop 65 regulatory guidelines. About 21% of the powders contained levels twice as high as the Prop 65 limit.
As of 2025, the FDA states no level of lead is safe to consume, but shopping smart and avoiding heavy metals is key. This shows the importance of funding the FDA to maintain public health. Since most people don’t know the dangers of certain foods, especially when they’re kept on store shelves. But I’m not saying get rid of all protein powders, just make sure to get it from reputable brands that have a short ingredient list.
Various kinds of protein powder have been found to have traces of lead and cadmium. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), “no level of lead is safe for human consumption. Cadmium is known as a carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer) that attacks the liver, kidneys, heart, gut, brain, respiratory and reproductive systems.”
When peas, soy, rice and other plants are growing, they often grow in lead contaminated soil which therefore contaminates the plant. This is why plant-based protein powders have three times the amount of lead in whey ones (whey is the liquid byproduct of cheese production). Plants naturally absorb toxic chemicals from the earth's crust, but it becomes more dangerous to consume when the plants are grown near industrial waste, mining, and certain kinds of pesticides and fertilizers.
But plant-based protein powders aren’t the main villain here, chocolate protein powders have been found to have four times more lead and up to one hundred and thirteen times the amount of cadmium than vanilla-based powders. Domino Howlett-Cragg, a 7th grade Literary Arts student and protein powder expert says, “lead can be extremely harmful in large doses, as it may be scientifically proven that it can cause development issues and birth defects.”
There are safe protein powders to consume, but unfortunately no sources state the dangerous ones due to legal issues involved. However protein powders with the least amount of lead are often made from whey and vanilla flavored. According to Trustwell, “Claims made on the packaging of being "organic," "antibiotic-free," or "GMO-free," etc., will quickly lose value if manufacturers cannot back up these claims with evidence and timelines.”
Of course, budget cuts to the FDA do not help, according to the New York Times, “In states, a $34 million cut by the F.D.A. could reduce the number of employees who ensure that tainted products — like tin pouches of lead-laden applesauce sold in 2023 — are tested in labs and taken off store shelves”
Howlett-Cragg continues her thoughts, “I think that high lead content in protein powder is just a way to show how lazy the FDA is when it comes to harmful materials in our food, and also it concerns me on what health effects this may have on us.”
So, what health effects does lead consumption lead to, and how can people reduce them? According to the World Health Organization, “In particular, lead can permanently affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes including reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment. Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs”
According to a study by the Clean Label Project, “Surprisingly, there are no comprehensive federal regulations laws for heavy metals specifically targeting dietary exposure to heavy metals in food, with most safety efforts focused on physical and microbiological contaminants. However, recent discussions in Congress and the FDA are pushing for stricter standards on heavy metals and industrial chemicals in food products.”
Overall, 47% of the 160 protein powder samples tested by the Clean Label Project in 2024 exceeded Prop 65 regulatory guidelines. About 21% of the powders contained levels twice as high as the Prop 65 limit.
As of 2025, the FDA states no level of lead is safe to consume, but shopping smart and avoiding heavy metals is key. This shows the importance of funding the FDA to maintain public health. Since most people don’t know the dangers of certain foods, especially when they’re kept on store shelves. But I’m not saying get rid of all protein powders, just make sure to get it from reputable brands that have a short ingredient list.