Protein powders and ready-to-drink protein shakes can contain measurable levels of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which may pose health risks with repeated exposure.
October 18, 2025
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temporal
Generalizable product-safety concern observed across some dietary supplement products.
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 Consumer Reports investigation reported that plant-based protein powders had, on average, nine times higher lead levels than dairy-based protein powders and approximately twice the lead levels of beef-based protein powders.
October 16, 2025
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Comparative average lead concentrations across protein powder types measured by Consumer Reports.
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.
Foods that contain undeclared allergens such as wheat or milk can cause serious or life-threatening reactions in people with allergies.
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health
Risk posed by undeclared allergens on food labels to allergic consumers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that gray-market GLP-1 drugs obtained outside the legal drug supply chain are not evaluated for safety, quality, or efficacy and may be counterfeit, contaminated, or improperly compounded.
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regulatory
Regulatory agencies advise that products outside approved distribution and manufacturing controls carry increased safety risks.