Consumer Reports testing revealed that some protein powders and shakes contain elevated levels of lead, a heavy metal that poses potential long-term health risks.
Independent scientists working for Consumer Reports, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, analyzed 23 popular protein products. The study found lead concentrations ranging from zero to 7.7 micrograms per serving, exceeding California’s strict limits.
While California imposes stringent restrictions, other health authorities like Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have less stringent guidelines for females of childbearing age.
Lead, a toxic metal, has no safe level for human consumption and is present in various foods due to environmental contamination.
Consumer Reports observed that plant-based protein products generally exhibited higher lead levels compared to animal-based alternatives.
These findings raise concerns about the safety of frequent use of these popular supplements and the regulatory oversight in Canada, according to Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety expert at the University of Guelph.
Key Discoveries
Consumer Reports acquired and tested multiple samples of 23 protein products from New York retailers and online sources. The products, including dairy, beef, and plant-based protein supplements like powders and ready-to-drink shakes, were analyzed for heavy metal content, particularly lead.
Lead emerged as the predominant heavy metal in the study’s results, with some products containing as much as 7.7 micrograms, surpassing the average daily intake for an American individual.
Consumer Reports used California’s stringent benchmark of 0.5 micrograms (µg) of lead per day for reference.
While some of the tested protein powders and shakes are accessible to Canadian consumers online, Goodridge expressed concerns about their potentially high lead content.
“These products that Canadians are increasingly using may have alarming lead levels, which is worrisome,” noted Goodridge.
Lead contamination in protein powders is not a new issue, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been monitoring toxic metals like lead and cadmium in these products since 2011.
During a recent spot check, protein powders exhibited the highest average lead levels among the tested products in 2018-2019. However, Health Canada concluded that these levels did not pose a health risk to Canadians.
Health Implications of Lead Exposure
According to Goodridge, no amount of lead in food is safe, especially for vulnerable populations. Prolonged exposure to lead can lead to its accumulation in the body’s tissues and bones over many years.
