Protein powders and shakes are wildly popular, but Consumer Reports’ latest tests found that in 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 ten times. Despite these risks, there are no federal standards limiting how much lead can be present in protein powders, leaving consumers unprotected.
Exposure to lead is linked to serious health risks, including neurological and developmental harm, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and immune suppression. Because protein powders are often consumed daily, even small amounts of lead can build up over time.
It’s time for the FDA to act. Join CR in calling on the FDA to set enforceable limits on lead in protein powders and help protect millions of consumers from unnecessary toxic lead exposure. (We’ll be delivering your signatures once the government shutdown is over.)
Petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
We call on the Food and Drug Administration to immediately establish strict limits on lead and other toxic heavy metals in protein powders and shakes to protect our health, and to ensure they are enforced with a fully funded, empowered FDA staff. Consumer Reports’ new tests of 23 protein powders and shakes found that more than two-thirds contained unsafe levels of lead per serving– with some containing more than 10 times what CR experts say is safe.
Protein powders are often marketed as daily-use products — even as meal replacements — which puts consumers at risk of chronic lead exposure. Lead has no safe level of exposure, and is linked to neurological damage, kidney disease, immune suppression, and cardiovascular problems. Without strong, enforceable federal standards, consumers are left vulnerable to hidden health risks. The FDA must use its authority to set strong limits on lead in protein powders and shakes, and hold industry accountable for the safety of its products.