Organic Protein Powder

The USDA Organic seal means at least 95 percent of the ingredients, not counting salt and water, are certified organic, and an accredited certifier has reviewed the product. For a pea or rice protein, that describes how the crop was grown and how it was processed into powder.

The organic rules are about farming inputs and handling. They do not set a limit for lead or cadmium in the finished tub. A plant protein company quoted by Consumer Reports said naturally occurring heavy metal levels in plant proteins can reflect the soil the crops grew in, which is why the question needs its own answer. Our guide to spotting greenwashing covers words like "clean" that sound like test results and are not.

In October 2025, Consumer Reports published tests of 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes. For more than two-thirds of them, a single serving contained more lead than its food safety experts consider safe to consume in a day. Its level of concern for lead is 0.5 micrograms per day, a threshold the organization sets itself.

Plant-based products fared worst. Consumer Reports said lead levels in plant-based products were, on average, nine times those in powders made with dairy proteins such as whey. Every pick on this page is plant-based, so this applies to them as a group. We have not seen test results for these specific products from Consumer Reports and do not claim any.

Consumer Reports also noted that there are no federal limits for the amount of heavy metals a supplement can contain, and that its experts advise against daily use of most protein powders. It added that the levels found were far below what would cause immediate harm, and that the concern is repeated exposure over time.

Protein powders are generally sold as dietary supplements or foods. The FDA says it does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness, or to approve their labeling, before they are sold. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says supplements cannot take the place of the variety of foods in a healthy eating routine.

Consumer Reports makes a related point: nutrition experts it interviewed say most people already get enough protein. Children and pregnant people are most vulnerable to lead, according to the same report. If you are in either group, or buying for someone who is, ask a doctor or pediatrician before using any protein powder. For a related topic, see our guide to heavy metals in baby food.