Lead levels in protein powders, shakes flagged by Consumer Reports

Some protein powders and shakes tested by Consumer Reports contained levels of lead, a heavy metal that experts say may increase the risk of long-term health problems.

Scientists hired by Consumer Reports, an independent US-based non-profit, tested 23 popular protein products, and found lead levels ranging from zero to 7.7 micrograms per serving – above the strict limit set by the state of California, but below the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard for women of childbearing age.

There is no safe level of lead for human consumption, although it is found in many foods because lead is present in the environment.

Consumer Reports found that most of the plant-based protein products tested had higher levels of lead than animal-based products.

Lawrence Goodridge, a professor of food safety at the University of Guelph, said the findings raise questions about the safety of taking popular supplements frequently, as well as how they are regulated in Canada.

conclusion

Consumer Reports purchased two or three samples of 23 protein products from New York stores or online retailers and had them tested in a laboratory for heavy metals, including lead.

Products included dairy, beef, and plant-based protein supplements, such as protein powders and ready-to-drink protein shakes.

The report said lead was the main heavy metal that emerged.

“The worst products we tested had 7.7 micrograms of lead,” Paris Martino, an investigative reporter for Consumer Reports, said in an interview. “That’s more than the average American makes from everything he eats in a day. I think that’s a little shocking.”

Consumer Reports used California’s strict 0.5 microgram (µg) lead standard for daily consumption.

Some protein powders and shakes tested in the US are available for Canadians to purchase online.

“These products … that Canadians are increasingly using may contain high levels of lead and that’s a concern,” Goodridge said.

This is not the first time that lead has been found in protein powder.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has been monitoring toxic metals, including lead and cadmium, in protein powders since 2011.

The CFIA said spot checks of beverages in 2018–2019 revealed that protein powders had the highest average lead contamination among the products tested, although Health Canada determined that those levels were not a health risk to Canadians.

What does a lead do for you?

No amount of lead in food is considered safe, Goodridge said, especially in susceptible populations.

He explained that the concern is not with a single, short-term use but with long-term exposure. Lead accumulates in the tissues and bones of the human body and can take decades to dissipate.

Too much Contact with metal can cause serious illness. In young children, it may impair neurological development.

adults who consume the products regularly containing lead Cognitive decline, mood disorders, chronic kidney disease and reproductive effects may occur, Goodridge said.

Asked what consumers can do, Goodridge suggested:

• Eat meals to meet your protein needs.

• Limit the use of protein powder to occasional use and not daily consumption.

• Susceptible individuals such as children, those who are pregnant or at high risk because they have a weakened immune system should avoid protein powder unless specifically prescribed by a health professional.

• Look for products that have been independently tested.

Dietitians generally recommend that people get protein wholesome food,

How is it regulated in Canada?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in an email that it is responsible for monitoring chemical residues in foods and how they comply with Canadian regulations, while Health Canada sets maximum levels for environmental and industrial pollutants in food.

However, it’s unclear whether these protein products are regulated as food or natural health products, and Health Canada could not respond to CBC’s questions by deadline.

Goodridge wants Health Canada to set guidelines for these protein powders or dietary supplements, he said.

“There is no specific federal limit for lead in protein powders or dietary supplements,” Goodridge said. “This, in my opinion, is a huge regulatory gap.”

Ways in which lead enters products

According to the Health Canada website, lead is not allowed to be added to foods sold in Canada.

Because this metal is common in the environment, it is present in all foods, usually at very low levels, the department said.

Goodridge said lead can enter the food chain when plants take it up from the soil or through the air and settle on leaves and stems, especially on leafy plants or legumes such as peas.

Plant-based powders like pea, soy and rice concentrate plant materials, including lead, he said.

What product manufacturers say

While Consumer Reports compared its findings to the California state’s stringent standards, the companies that commented said their products meet federal US or EU regulations for lead.

Naked Nutrition said its Naked Vegan Mass Gainer is the only vegan product designed to help with weight gain included in the Consumer Reports test and that its serving size is quite large.

“When looked at on a per gram basis, our results are consistent with other plant-based protein products,” James Clark, chief marketing officer of Naked Nutrition, said in an email.

Clark said that when the company reviewed available information and verified results through independent third-party testing, it “confirmed that none of the heavy metals exceeded the FDA reference intake levels for adults, including sensitive groups such as women of childbearing age.”

Huel called the report worrying and said its products, including the Huel Black Edition, are not currently sold in Canada. The company said that its product is a nutrition-rich food.

“The magazine’s approach reflects a typical cautious regulation rather than an internationally accepted measure of consumer protection,” Huel said in a statement.