A 2025 Consumer Reports investigation tested 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes and found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead per single serving than Consumer Reports' "level of concern" of 0.5 micrograms of lead per day (a threshold based on California Proposition 65).
October 16, 2025
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Laboratory testing of protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes for lead contamination; Consumer Reports defined a level of concern based on California Proposition 65.
A 2025 Clean Label Project analysis tested 160 protein powder products from 70 brands and found that 47% of those products exceeded California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals.
October 16, 2025
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Large-scale testing of protein powder products for toxic metal contamination and comparison to California Proposition 65 thresholds.