The global demand for protein supplements is on the rise, with the European market surpassing €1.3 million in 2023. As consumers increasingly turn to protein powders for fitness, weight management, and general health, assumptions about product safety remain largely unchallenged. However, a recent report from the Clean Label Project, a US-based non-profit specialising in food and consumer product investigations, has discovered the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants in these widely consumed products.
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A study conducted by the Clean Label Project tested 160 protein powders from 70 of the top-selling brands—representing 83% of the market. The findings were alarming: 47% of the tested products exceeded California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals, with organic protein powders showing significantly higher contamination levels than their non-organic counterparts. Strikingly, plant-based protein powders exhibited three times more lead than whey-based alternatives. The study also found that chocolate-flavoured powders harboured four times more lead than vanilla varieties.
The research involved 35,862 individual tests on contaminants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury, which are infiltrating our dietary supplements through environmental exposure, agricultural practices, and even product packaging. While these metals occur naturally, their concentration can be exacerbated by industrial activities, raising concerns about long-term health risks. Despite the widespread use of protein supplements in the US, there are currently no federal regulations that specifically address heavy metal contamination in these products, leaving a critical gap in consumer safety.
In contrast to the US situation, the EU has set safety limits for certain contaminants in food. The Regulation on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food establishes thresholds for the presence of heavy metals in protein powders, including a maximum cadmium level of 1.0 mg/kg for food supplements and 0.10 mg/kg for pulse-based proteins. The acceptable limit for lead in food supplements is 3.0 mg/kg, though no specific threshold has been set for lead in pulse-based proteins.
The Clean Label Project's research serves as a wake-up call for manufacturers, retailers, policymakers, and consumers alike. The organisation advocates for increased transparency in labelling, stricter safety standards, and proactive industry measures to mitigate contamination risks. Protein powders are not a stand-alone case, and the persistence of heavy metals in food underscores the need for ongoing vigilance.
More information available at the links below:
https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/CleanLabelProject_ProteinStudyWhitepaper_010625.pdf
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/protein-supplements-market/europe
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02023R0915-20240722