Consumer Reports has discovered that some protein powders and shakes contain worrying levels of lead, a heavy metal that experts believe could pose long-term health risks. The independent non-profit organization tested 23 popular protein products and found lead levels ranging from zero to 7.7 micrograms per serving, surpassing California’s strict limits. However, these limits are stricter than those set by other health authorities such as Health Canada and the FDA for women of childbearing age.
Lead, being harmful at any level for human consumption, can be found in various foods due to its presence in the environment. Most plant-based protein products tested by Consumer Reports exhibited higher lead levels compared to animal-based products. This discovery raises concerns about the safety of regularly consuming these supplements and the regulations surrounding them in Canada, according to Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph.
Consumer Reports purchased multiple samples of protein products from New York stores and online retailers to test them for heavy metals, including lead. The products ranged from dairy and beef-based to plant-based protein supplements, including powders and ready-to-drink shakes, with lead being the predominant heavy metal detected.
Paris Martineau, an investigative reporter with Consumer Reports, noted that the worst products tested contained 7.7 micrograms of lead, exceeding what an average American typically consumes in a day. Consumer Reports used California’s stringent standard of 0.5 micrograms of lead per day for their evaluation.
Although some of the tested protein powders and shakes are available for purchase in Canada, Goodridge expressed concern over the potentially high lead content in these products. It is not the first instance of lead being found in protein powders, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been monitoring toxic metals like lead and cadmium in these products since 2011.
Lead exposure, even in trace amounts, can lead to serious health issues. In children, it can impede neurological development, while in adults, regular consumption of lead-containing products may result in cognitive decline, mood disorders, chronic kidney disease, and reproductive effects. To mitigate risks, individuals are advised to obtain protein from whole foods and limit protein powder use to occasional consumption.
Regarding regulations in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversees chemical residues in foods, while Health Canada establishes the maximum levels for environmental pollutants in food products. Health Canada confirmed that the lead concentrations found in the Consumer Reports study were within permissible levels in Canada and did not warrant immediate risk management actions.
While protein products intended for general consumption are regulated as food products by Health Canada, those marketed for muscle-building are classified as natural health products. Companies are responsible for testing their products for impurities and issuing recalls if necessary, as Health Canada monitors trace elements like lead in food.
