Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead (consumerreports.org)
- Reference: 0179825462
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/10/18/2242221/protein-powders-and-shakes-contain-high-levels-of-lead
- Source link: https://www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein-powders-and-shakes-contain-high-levels-of-lead-a4206364640/
> Protein powders still carry troubling levels of toxic heavy metals, according to a new Consumer Reports (CR) investigation. Our latest tests of 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes from popular brands found that heavy metal contamination has become even more common among protein products, raising concerns that the risks are growing right alongside the industry itself. For more than two-thirds of the products we analyzed, a single serving contained more lead than CR's food safety experts say is safe to consume in a day — some by more than 10 times...
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> [I]n addition to the average level of lead being higher than what we found 15 years ago, there were also fewer products with undetectable amounts of it. The outliers also packed a heavier punch. Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer powder, the product with the highest lead levels, had nearly twice as much lead per serving as the worst product we analyzed in 2010. Nearly all the plant-based products CR tested had elevated lead levels, but some were particularly concerning. Two had so much lead that CR's experts caution against using them at all... Dairy-based protein powders and shakes generally had the lowest amounts of lead, but half of the products we tested still had high enough levels of contamination that CR's experts advise against daily use...
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> Unlike prescription and over-the-counter drugs, the Food and Drug Administration doesn't review, approve, or test supplements like protein powders before they are sold. Federal regulations also don't generally require supplement makers to prove their products are safe, and there are no federal limits for the amount of heavy metals they can contain.
The article acknowledges that "Many of these powders are fine to have occasionally, and even those with the highest lead levels are far below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm. That said, because most people don't actually need protein supplements — nutrition experts say the average American already gets plenty — it makes sense to ask whether these products are worth the added exposure."
[1] https://www.slashdot.org/~fjo3
[2] https://www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein-powders-and-shakes-contain-high-levels-of-lead-a4206364640/
Makes sense (Score:5, Funny)
So it turns out gym bros really do have brain damage...
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Correlation does not mean causation.
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One way to control 'Roid Rage ????
I get my protein ... (Score:2)
> Nearly all the plant-based products CR tested had elevated lead levels, but some were particularly concerning. Two had so much lead that CR's experts caution against using them at all... Dairy-based protein powders and shakes generally had the lowest amounts of lead
... straight from the cow.
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"lowest amounts" - still not zero.
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Given the power modern analytical methods, you can find almost anything in anything if you try hard enough. Materials like lead and mercury are universal in the environment at very low levels. Inevitably, plants will pick up tiny amounts from the soil and then transfer them to whatever eats them. In general, the levels are insignificant, but when you start making products like protein concentrates, you can also concentrate the impurities. Since supplements are completely unregulated, in the US, because
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Rice and beans are cheap, easy, and can be tasty if made correctly. It is a complete protein and has much more vitamins and minerals than protein powders.
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But where u get ur bacon brah?
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I like my bacon no doubt. I buy ends and pieces, chop it up, bake it, and refrigerate it, and sprinkle it into my breakfast.
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I lived on rice and beans for a while in the 90s. Nobody told me I needed B12 supplements. Needless to say I was an unhappy camper until I decided to start eating meat again.
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I think about 2 eggs a day would satisfy any need, plus rice and beans. Just from my experience. Not to say that I don't eat steaks and junk food, if a person wants/needs to eat cheap and satisfy their needs, then this is a suggestion.
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Honestly, everybody should just take a multivitamin, because why not?
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I have debated it to myself, why not just take a multivitamin and eat Pizza most of the time? I find the answer in my poop, my mood, and how happy I am. Usually if your poop is good, then you are good in all sorts of ways. There are all sorts of debate about micro nutrients, and keeping a persons microbiome healthy. I tend to think that I need to eat in a way that keeps my microbiome happy. I pooped a 7 inch one today, that was nice and round. I gave myself a "high five". If you listen to Science Fri
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> Rice and beans
Rice is abnormally high in arsenic compared to other grains, especially brown rice. Legumes seem to have a higher affinity for heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium compared to other plants, to the point where they are actively studied for potential use in cleaning pollution from fields.
Delicious.
=Smidge=
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Plants get harmful chemicals from the dirt when they are grown. If they are not grown in dirt that has arsenic in it, then it won't have arsenic in it. Hence, the need for regulation and testing.
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Unfortunately, in some areas such as Bangladesh where rice is a staple, have an inherently high arsenic level in the water.
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I have met a person from Bangladesh, I think she was fine. I don't understand why people are so interested in the latest tictock video, when people are in need. Needs can be met if there is a will.
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I am not sure about the relevance of this comment. I am sure that there are many people from Bangladesh who are fine. Not everyone is a poor rice farmer after all, just a large percentage of the population. People can live a long time with moderate levels of arsenic in their systems. It may make them weak and ill, but they go on because they have no choice.
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I am an idealist, and I wonder why you would be OK with any human being existing while being weak and ill, when they could be vibrant and healthy? I understand that they also live in a place that hurricanes just wipe out their Country here and there. Does Empathy matter to you? To anybody else?
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I think it can collect on leaves too. Have they found the source? General aviation (small Cessna type planes) are responsible for 70% of airborne lead.
> US says lead emissions from small piston-engine aircraft pose public health danger
> Emissions from the 190,000 U.S. privately owned airplanes operating on leaded fuel account for about 70% of the lead entering the atmosphere, according to prior U.S. government estimates. [1]https://www.reuters.com/busine... [reuters.com]
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-declares-lead-emissions-small-piston-engine-aircraft-pose-public-health-2023-10-18/
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The arsenic in Bangladesh occurs naturally in the ground water. The issue became apparent when there was a program to create wells to provide water to the locals and the water was found to be contaminated with arsenic. Not all occurrences of toxic materials are from human sources.
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Why do you need protein powders? Can't you just eat... I don't know... food?
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What will TickTock influencers sell then?
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Food also contains trace levels of lead. It's a naturally occurring element in soils.
The question is are you taking it in faster than your body can chuck it out again. Since my mother is 90 there obviously is a "safe" level of lead. Don't let the fear mongers scare you. Your fear makes them money.
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There was an age from around the 50's where lead was burned in ICE engines, and spread around the world. There was another age back when Romans ruled the world where lead was used to make pipes for drinking water. Studies have found that lead is extremely dangerous for humans. There is no safe level for lead. I'm sure the Oligarchs would agree, I am sure that they screen their drinking water for lead.
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If you believe in science, then there is no safe level of Lead. If you just want to believe whatever Trump tells you, then god bless you girl.
I listened to a comprehensive NPR report bout this (Score:5, Informative)
[1]https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16... [npr.org]. Please support NPR. They are not "facists", not anti-anything. They just give people some facts, an anchor in an otherwise untethered world.
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5576294/protein-powder-lead-consumer-reports
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> They just give people some facts
Well, we can't have THAT , now can we?
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NPR is anti-gun because they report things like people are actually killed? and not a result of "crisis actors?"
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C'mon at least admit you and NPR are liberal. Are you ashamed? Aint a man or woman on this earth who isn't biased. The honest ones will tell you.
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Why the need to label? Why not say that people, children were killed by guns? Why deny that it ever happened?
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NPR is regional, some regions are more biased than others, you will however be hard pressed to find situations where NPR is factually incorrect. That is the difference. Fox, OAN Newsmax, MSNBC, they all get facts wrong in their rush for a 24 hour news cycle. The terrible three for the right also spread misinformation to fit the narrative of their owners. MSNBC will omit information if it doesn't fit their narrative, they don't outright mislead nearly as often.
NPR however, stays out of this all-together and
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You posted a wall of words that conflated a lot of bullshit. I defy you to post one thing that Morning Joe on MSNBC has lied about.
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Interesting hot take on 7 lines of words making a wall. I did not state Morning Joe or MSNBC lied, I said they omit information when it doesn't fit their narrative Polls results ahead of 2016, downplaying Joe Biden's age as a problem, and hyping Kamala Harris' chances, especially as they got closer to the election are all examples of this.
If you're an MSNBC watcher I suggest you switch to TYT, you'll be better informed and none of these things will surprise you in the future.
I conflated nothing in my word
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Russian collusion was obvious back in the day when Trump said: "Hey Russia, If you can help me win the election, then release the hacked Hillary emails". Russian collusion is obvious now when Trump wont support Ukraine, and rolls out the Red carpet to a Russian Oligarch. I am confused if it is collusion, or if Putin is simply blackmailing a bad man, Trump.
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Tell it like it is, bro. The uniformly collectivist crap that issues from NPR stations drove me off the few literate moments. The thoughtful listener is hoping for something like Dave Garaways' Omnibus ; very sad.
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Where do you get your information now?
So they want their customers stupid? (Score:2)
I guess they are just helping that along a bit...
Commoditizing protein (Score:2)
Too busy to care? Heard protein is good for you? Just get it from our finest powder, which you can for sure trust, no need to even chew it, comes in coffee, Tim Hortons I think I saw a tv ad for that. You will be full longer, what 's not to like? It seems cynical to me. Like looking for oats at the super market and finding them only in convenient 2 oz packets in a box of 16 packets. Its pre garbage. The extra packaging is ... an insane waste of paper. I can't wait for Bachelor Chow.
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> I can't wait for Bachelor Chow.
I'm gonna wait for the updated version with flavor.
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A dark thought that is in the back of my mind, is that poor, hopeless people in red states will take the roll of ICE Agents, and express their racist and sexist feelings out on the rest of America, with the backing of the President of the United States.
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I agree with the purposeful attack on Americans. I would think that Americans would support a President that would defend us against another Country, but damn, what I see, is that Trump is attacking Americans. He seems to be kissing the ass of Russians, and Argentinians.
Lead consumption is cumulative. (Score:2)
If daily levels are higher than the safe level (whatever that is) then it doesn't matter if you only consume it every other day, it is still a problem.
They are the Food and Drug Administration, powders are consumed - how is it they aren't required to test something we ingest?
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Being reasonable is out of fashion now. Yes, any levels of lead is bad. The Roman Empire may have been taken down because of lead pipes, that lowered IQ, and made people eager for violence. I see a lot of reflections between the US and the Roman Empire right now.
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One of the chief effects of lead is brain damage.