Plant-based and chocolate-flavored protein powders have concerning levels of lead and cadmium, with organic products showing the highest contamination, according to a Clean Label Project investigation.
Sandee LaMotte reports for CNN.
In short:
- Organic protein powders had three times more lead and twice the cadmium compared to non-organic ones.
- Chocolate-flavored powders contained up to 110 times more cadmium than vanilla varieties.
- Nearly 80% of tested plant-based powders exceeded California’s Proposition 65 lead limits.
Key quote:
"Heavy metal contaminant is a global food safety problem. These contaminants are basically everywhere, including in things that are being represented as health foods."
— Jaclyn Bowen, executive director of the Clean Label Project
Why this matters:
Lead and cadmium exposure can harm vital organs and increase cancer risks. While some contamination is natural due to soil absorption, excessive amounts in health products could undermine consumer safety and trust.
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