A study found lead in popular protein powders. Here's why you shouldn't panic
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A Consumer Reports (CR) investigation has found what it calls "concerning" levels of lead in roughly two dozen popular protein powder brands — but says that's not necessarily cause for tossing them.
The nonprofit organization tested multiple samples of 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes from a range of stores and online retailers over a three-month period beginning last November.
Their results, published on Tuesday, show that more than two-thirds of the products contain more lead in a single serving than CR's experts say is safe to consume in an entire day.
"Some of the products had more than 10 times the level that our experts say is safe," Consumer Reports reporter Paris Martineau told NPR on Wednesday.
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CR says lead levels were especially high across plant-based protein powders — on average, nine times higher than those made with dairy proteins and twice as great as those of beef-based powders.
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