Here’s the full list of 24 protein brands with their lead percentages and health advice.
1. Naked Nutrition – Vegan Mass Gainer (1572%)
This product showed extremely high lead levels, nearly 15 times higher than what is considered safe. It’s one of the most contaminated powders and should be completely avoided.
2. Huel – Black Edition (1288%)
Huel’s vegan formula had over 12 times more lead than CR’s safe limit. Despite company testing claims, experts strongly recommend avoiding daily use.
3. Garden of Life – Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein (564%)
This organic plant-based powder contained five times the safe limit. Occasional use is acceptable, but it’s not safe for daily intake.
4. Momentous – 100% Plant Protein (476%)
Momentous showed 4.7 times higher lead levels than safe limits. Use rarely; it’s not a daily-safe option.
5. MuscleMeds – Carnivor Mass (247%)
This beef-based mass gainer contained 2.4 times higher lead than CR’s recommendation. Limit usage to a few times per week only.
6. Optimum Nutrition – Serious Mass (202%)
Detected double the safe limit for arsenic and trace lead. It’s not ideal for daily use, use occasionally.
7. Orgain – Organic Protein (186%)
Orgain’s organic plant protein showed almost twice the limit of lead. Should be used in moderation only.
8. Vega – Sport Premium Protein (172%)
This vegan powder contained 1.7 times more lead than recommended. It’s not suitable for daily use.
9. KOS – Organic Plant Protein (163%)
KOS protein showed moderate contamination, around 1.6× higher than CR’s safe limit. It’s better to limit use.
10. Sunwarrior – Warrior Blend (150%)
This plant-based blend had 1.5 times higher lead than safe levels. It’s safe for rare use only.
11. Truvani – Plant-Based Protein (139%)
Truvani’s clean-label protein tested slightly above safe limits. It’s okay for occasional use.
12. Purely Inspired – Organic Protein (128%)
This organic protein had 1.2× higher lead levels. It’s not harmful in small amounts, but avoid daily use.
13. Orgain – Simple Protein (116%)
Another Orgain variant showed moderate lead contamination. Safe only for occasional use.
14. Evolve – Plant-Based Shake (103%)
Evolve shakes were just above the safety line. Occasional use is fine, but avoid daily consumption.
15. Gainful – Personalized Protein (98%)
Gainful showed slightly below the daily concern limit. It’s safer than most plant-based options.
16. OWYN – Plant-Based Protein (88%)
OWYN had low lead levels, under 100%. It’s one of the safer vegan choices for occasional or daily use.
17. Transparent Labs – Mass Gainer (87%)
This whey-based mass gainer had low lead contamination. Considered safe for regular or daily use.
18. Optimum Nutrition – Gold Standard 100% Whey (56%)
One of the cleanest popular proteins, showing only half of the safe limit. It’s safe for daily consumption.
19. BSN – Syntha-6 (46%)
This protein blend had less than half the safe limit. Suitable for daily use without worry.
20. Dymatize – Super Mass Gainer (25%)
Tested at very low lead levels. Considered safe and reliable for frequent use.
21. MuscleTech – 100% Mass Gainer (0%)
No detectable lead was found in this supplement. It’s very safe for daily or heavy use.
22. Premier Protein – Shake (0%)
Premier Protein shakes also tested clean, with no measurable lead. It’s among the safest ready-to-drink options.
23. Ascent – Whey Protein (0%)
Ascent whey protein showed no detectable lead. It’s completely safe for regular users.
24. Isopure – Zero Carb Whey Protein (0%)
Isopure was one of the cleanest in the entire test. It contained no measurable lead and is safe for daily use.
🩺 Final Advice
Consumer Reports experts recommend avoiding high-lead plant-based powders such as Naked Nutrition, Huel, and Garden of Life.
If you use protein supplements regularly, choose low-lead or zero-lead whey-based brands like Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, or Isopure.
Always aim to get protein naturally from foods like eggs, yoghurt, tofu, fish, and chicken.