But lead can also get into protein powder during processing, when the seeds are extracted and turned into pea flour and pea protein concentrate, Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. “The processing methods involved in the production of pea protein, [can include] the use of lead-containing milling machinery used to grind the peas into flour, and may also introduce lead into the final protein concentrate product,” she continues. “Due to these aspects of growth and processing, plant-based protein powders are more likely to contain lead than their dairy-based counterparts that undergo different extraction and processing methods.”
It’s worth noting that fruits and vegetables can also contain trace amounts of lead since they’re grown in soil—it’s just not likely to be as much. “While some produce may contain trace levels of lead, whole foods are generally less concentrated than protein powders, which are processed to increase nutritional density—and with that, potentially concentrating contaminants as well,” Detwiler says.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Here’s the big question: Are you OK to keep enjoying your favorite protein powder or not?
If you have protein powder here and there, Dr. Johnson-Arbor says lead is unlikely to be an issue for you. But it’s not great to consume it often, Ellen Shumaker, PhD, food safety expert and director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University, tells SELF. “My level of concern ties to how much of these products a person actually consumes over a long period of time and whether they are part of a vulnerable population—children and pregnant women,” she says.
For everyone else, Detwiler recommends looking for products certified by independent bodies like NSF, USP, or Informed-Choice, which test for heavy metals. But it’s also a good idea to be mindful of how much protein powder you’re taking in on a regular basis, Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells SELF. “If you are an occasional user, you are likely fine. If you drink these daily, you may want to re-evaluate your choice,” she says.
