Some protein powders and shakes contain unsafe levels of lead, according to a Consumer Reports investigation.
In the report, published Tuesday, Consumer Reports analyzed 23 protein powders and shakes — a range of dairy, beef and plant-based protein supplements — and found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than what experts say is safe to consume, about 0.5 micrograms per day.
"Protein powders and shakes have become immensely popular and are part of a daily routine for many people who are focused on consuming more protein in their diet," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a news release. "Our tests found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein supplements is widespread and has worsened since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago."
On average, lead levels in plant-based products were the worst — about nine times the amount in dairy-based proteins, like whey, and twice as much as beef-based products.
Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard medical school and a general internist at Cambridge Health Alliance, said he was "quite disappointed to see the results."
