“For people following a fully plant-based diet, protein powders made from peas appear to have the lowest levels of heavy metals,” Bowen said. “If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, the data suggests that whey-based or egg-based, vanilla-flavored protein powders will have the least amount.”

Lead and cadmium were found in a majority of the protein powders that were tested. There is no safe level of lead, which has been linked to developmental disorders and high blood pressure.

A total of 160 products from 70 of the top-selling brands, which represent 83% of the protein supplements market, were tested. Organic protein powders were found to contain three

Plant-based, organic, and chocolate protein powders contained the highest amounts of lead, according to a recent analysis.

Nearly half of tested products contained potentially unsafe levels of lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals, according to a new report from the Clean Labels Project.

Report finds high levels of lead and cadmium in popular protein powders. NEW YORK, Jan 21: A recent report from the Clean Label Project reveals that many popular protein powders, particularly plant-based, organic, and chocolate-flavored varieties, may contain dangerous levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium.

CNN was one of the first outlets to publish the finding that due to amounts of “heavy metals” in the earth, some chocolate-flavored organic protein powders were found to contain more cadmium and lead than other types and flavors of powder.

For the report, Clean Label Project researchers purchased protein powders from 70 popular brands and ran nearly 36,000 tests for contaminants, including heavy metals and hormone d

Protein powder is an effective way to ensure you're getting enough protein in your diet. However, a new report from the Clean Label Project found that about half of the popular protein powders they tested contain unsafe levels of lead and cadmium.