By Ana-Marija Dolaskie — Oct 23, 2025
Headlines are screaming about high lead levels in protein powders, scaring those who dabble in the extra intake. But is this real, or just another fear-driven story? Let’s break it down.
Lead is a naturally occurring element in soil, water, and air. It shows up in trace amounts in foods, including protein powders—often just 0.5 to 3 micrograms per serving. Compare that to the FDA’s safe limit of 12.5 micrograms per day for adults.
No study links these tiny amounts to harm when you use protein powder as directed. But some reports, like those from Consumer Reports, set arbitrary limits to spark fear. ACSH Director of Medicine Dr. Chuck Dinerstein calls it ‘chemophobia’—using scary headlines to drive clicks, not science."
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