Heavy Metals in Protein Powders Reveal a 30-year Failure of Federal Oversight

Despite the rapid growth of the protein supplement market, federal oversight has barely shifted since 1994, prompting renewed concern over the lack of enforceable limits for heavy metals.  (Serene Han)

More than 30 years after Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA, federal oversight of protein powders and other dietary supplements remains largely unchanged. The law, enacted in 1994, still governs a supplement industry that has since expanded into a multibillion-dollar marketplace — even as testing continues to reveal heavy metals in widely consumed products. A new Consumer Reports, or CR, investigation has revived concerns among researchers, legislators, and public health advocates about how little the federal government requires from supplement manufacturers.

A 2025 CR investigation found detectable levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in dozens of protein powders sold nationwide. Several popular whey, plant-based, and meal-replacement powders exceeded California’s Proposition 65 exposure limits, which require companies to issue warning labels when contaminant levels surpass state-defined thresholds. In some products, lead concentrations were high enough that a single serving could meaningfully increase a person’s weekly exposure.

The most alarming results came from plant-based brands. Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer delivered 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving — over 1,572% CR’s level of concern — while Huel’s Black Edition contained 6.3 micrograms, or roughly 13 times the same recommended daily maximum. Two other products, Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein and Momentous 100% Plant Protein, registered lead levels 4-6 times higher than the threshold, prompting the organization’s experts to advise limiting their use to once a week. 

Elevated metals weren’t confined to plant formulas, as, for example, beef-based powder MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass contained more than double CR’s lead limit. Overall, heavy-metal levels exceeding CR’s benchmarks were found in one beef powder, six plant-based powders, five dairy-based powders, and several ready-to-drink shakes.

Other toxic metals surfaced as well. Huel’s Black Edition contained 9.2 micrograms of cadmium per serving — more than twice CR’s suggested daily limit — while Vega’s Premium Sport also surpassed cadmium guidance. Optimum Nutrition’s Serious Mass whey powder contained 8.5 micrograms of inorganic arsenic, about double CR’s level of concern.

These findings illustrate major regulators offering minimal, if any, protection. According to Consumer Reports, the Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate lead levels in food; the Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, has no lead limits for supplements; the World Health Organization says no amount of weekly lead intake is safe; and the European Food Safety Authority allows up to 3,000 ppb — a level CR’s experts say is far too high to protect consumers.

DSHEA is a central reason for this patchwork. Under the law, supplements can reach store shelves without FDA review, and the agency can intervene only after harm is documented. A 2022 article in the AMA Journal of Ethics describes the result as a reactive system in which thousands of adverse events go unreported, companies can withhold ingredient information, and recalls can take years to materialize.

Furthermore, recent FDA actions reveal the extent of limited federal oversight. A 2024 advisory urged consumers to stop using certain Life Rising supplements after tests revealed elevated heavy metal levels. While the notice led to targeted recalls, public health researchers argue that such warnings highlight systemic gaps: without mandatory nationwide testing requirements, contamination is often detected only after products have already been widely distributed.

Toxicology research reinforces these concerns. According to a 2012 article in PLOS One, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium are associated with kidney dysfunction, cardiovascular risk, impaired neurodevelopment, and heightened dangers for pregnant people and developing fetuses. Researchers have also noted that teens, athletes, and low-income consumers may face higher exposure if they rely on lower-cost supplements, which are less likely to undergo third-party testing. 

Despite such weak regulations, market data indicate that protein supplement use has become widespread. The U.S. protein supplement market is projected to reach $13.7 billion by 2033, according to a Grand View Research report. The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% from 2025-2033, driven by the rising popularity of at-home fitness, weight management products, and wellness branding. 

State governments have begun stepping into this regulatory void. In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the nation’s first law requiring prenatal supplements sold in the state to undergo heavy-metal testing, according to a 2025 release from the Environmental Working Group. The law establishes testing requirements stricter than current federal rules and reflects the state’s growing involvement in supplement oversight. Additionally, analysts say the move could inspire similar laws elsewhere if federal standards remain unchanged.

Industry groups have acknowledged increasing consumer unease. Brands such as Ritual have launched public campaigns urging Congress to give the FDA authority to set national limits on heavy metals. Online petitions advocating for updated supplement laws have gathered thousands of signatures, arguing that voluntary testing cannot keep pace with rapid market expansion.

While companies selling third-party tested or “clean label certified” products have seen an uptick in sales, analysts point out that the broader supplement market continues to reward rapid product turnover and aggressive marketing, often prioritizing shelf visibility over safety verification. Without updated federal rules, public health experts say the burden falls on consumers to interpret testing reports, detect misleading claims, and identify reputable brands — a system critics argue is neither equitable nor effective.

As findings of contamination accumulate and the supplement market continues to expand, calls to modernize DSHEA have intensified. Policy analysts argue that updating the law could allow the FDA to mandate contaminant testing, require manufacturer registration, and establish national safety thresholds. Until such reforms occur, protein powders and other supplements will remain regulated under a framework crafted for a smaller, far less complex industry.