Protein consumption has exploded globally, with total sales of powder and ready-to-drink shakes surpassing an estimated US$32 billion between 2024 and 2025. Consumers across demographics, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are embracing protein drinks not only after workouts but also as daily meal replacements.
Even children are joining the trend — one survey from 2024 found that more than one in five kids in the U.S. consume protein shakes weekly. Yet as sales climb, new concerns have emerged over the chemical safety of these increasingly popular nutrition products. A recent Consumer Reports investigation, released October 14, 2025, has brought attention to the presence of heavy metals — including lead, cadmium, and arsenic — in some well-known protein brands.
Alarm Over Lead Content in Protein Powders
The analysis covered 23 popular powder and ready-to-drink protein products, from both plant-based and dairy-based lines, sending samples to an independent laboratory for testing. Consumer Reports set its safety threshold for lead exposure extremely low: anything over 0.5 micrograms per day from a single source was considered unsafe, following California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment standards.
That figure is far more conservative than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard, which sets a tolerable limit of 5 micrograms per day from any supplement — ten times higher. The FDA also uses a broader Interim Reference Level (IRL) to estimate the total amount of lead a person can safely consume daily from all sources — including food, supplements, and water. This limit varies depending on age and physiological risk: 8.8 micrograms per day for individuals who could become pregnant, 2.2 micrograms per day for children, and 12.5 micrograms per day for the general adult population.
What Consumer Reports Found
Of the 23 products reviewed, 16 exceeded Consumer Reports’ 0.5 microgram threshold for lead in a standard serving. Four products surpassed the FDA’s total daily lead limit for children, and two provided as much as 72% and 88% of the daily lead limit the FDA considers safe for pregnant women. Beyond lead, two products contained cadmium levels above 4.1 micrograms per serving, while one product exceeded the 7-microgram daily limit for arsenic — cutoffs that align closely with FDA recommendations.
The key finding: plant-based protein powders contained roughly nine times more lead than dairy-based proteins like whey, and twice as much as beef-based products. This discrepancy suggests that the source of protein — not just manufacturing — strongly influences contamination levels.
Why Protein Products Contain Heavy Metals
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic naturally occur in the environment, making complete elimination impossible. They are originally found in volcanic rock and mineral deposits, which gradually erode into soil and water systems that nourish crops. Certain crops — such as peas, rice, and root vegetables — readily extract and store these toxic elements, making plant-derived proteins more vulnerable.
Additionally, human activities contribute significantly. The burning of fossil fuels releases airborne heavy metals that eventually settle into agricultural soil, further increasing contamination. Other contributing factors include fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which may contain trace levels of heavy metals that enter the food chain over time. Previous analyses have documented similar contamination patterns in spices, dark chocolate, carrots, rice, and herbal supplements — all of which accumulate metals from the soil.
Understanding Health Risks of Heavy Metal Exposure
Occasional consumption of contaminated protein products is unlikely to cause acute harm. However, repeated or high-level exposure can lead to long-term accumulation in the bloodstream, resulting in serious medical complications. Lead and other heavy metals can interfere with the central nervous system, causing cognitive or developmental impairment over time.
Chronic exposure has been linked to nerve damage, weakened bones, elevated blood pressure, kidney strain, and increased cancer risk, according to multiple human health studies. The Cleveland Clinic and other health institutions warn that even moderate levels of ongoing exposure can impair neurological and cardiovascular health.
How This Study Differs from FDA Standards
Consumer Reports has historically taken a stricter public health stance than regulatory agencies like the FDA. While the FDA focuses on practical limits based on achievable safety targets, Consumer Reports often applies a precautionary threshold, urging consumers toward ultra-low exposures wherever possible. For example, while the FDA might tolerate 5 micrograms of lead from a supplement, Consumer Reports flags anything above 0.5 micrograms.
This tenfold difference reflects not disagreement about the science itself, but different philosophies of risk management — the FDA balances feasibility and enforcement, whereas Consumer Reports advocates for ideal minimum exposure.
Practical Advice for Consumers
For those who consume protein products daily, moderation and informed selection are key. Clinical experts recommend the following measures to minimize exposure: Choose animal-based protein sources like whey or collagen, which generally have lower heavy metal concentrations than plant proteins. Rotate products instead of relying on a single brand — this reduces cumulative exposure to any one source of contamination.
Check for third-party testing certifications such as NSF Certified for Sport, USP Verified, or Informed Choice. Favor organic plant-based products when possible, as organic crops often accumulate fewer heavy metals due to stricter soil management. Avoid excessive daily servings, and verify what constitutes a single “serving” on product labels to prevent inadvertent overconsumption. Even small changes — such as alternating protein sources — can drastically reduce total exposure while maintaining adequate nutrition.
Expert Perspective: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Protein shakes remain a convenient nutritional tool for athletes, busy professionals, and older adults with increased protein needs. Experts caution against panic, emphasizing that the benefits of adequate protein intake generally outweigh the risks when products are consumed responsibly. Still, consumers should treat the Consumer Reports 2025 findings as a reminder to stay vigilant about supplement quality and sourcing transparency.
Manufacturers, too, bear responsibility to adopt stricter product testing, improved quality controls, and cleaner sourcing practices for plant-based proteins. The growing reliance on protein powders — paired with rising awareness around contamination — underscores the urgent need for stricter federal guidelines and public transparency.
Industry and Regulatory Implications
The booming protein shake market now faces mounting scrutiny from regulators, researchers, and consumers alike. As prices rise and sales volumes plateau, companies must reassure customers that performance products deliver both nutritional efficacy and environmental safety.
Government agencies, meanwhile, may revisit exposure standards to reflect modern consumption patterns — especially as millions of Americans integrate protein supplements into daily diets. Until clear reform emerges, consumers can protect themselves through awareness, variety, and careful label examination.