• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Babies & Kids
    • Baby
    • Natural Babies & Kids
    • Natural Crafts
  • Natural Living
    • Adults
    • Health & Beauty
    • Holidays
  • Non-Toxic Home
  • Toxins
  • Consulting
  • About
  • Natural Baby Mama
Natural Baby Mama

Natural Baby Mama

Non-toxic living for the entire family

Heavy Metals in Protein Powders – Test Results

December 2, 2021 by Shannon

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet

Having a protein powder that tastes good and adds some additional calories and nutrition to your diet is always nice to have on hand. But, sadly, many protein powders contain toxins like heavy metals, pesticide residues, and BPA. So, before adding a protein powder to my diet, I decided to test a few top organic protein brands. The test results of heavy metals in these protein powders are below.

2 scoopers filled with protein powder, chocolate and vanilla flavor on white background

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Quick Navigation

  • Heavy Metals in Protein Powders
  • How I Tested For Heavy Metals in Protein Powders
  • Results of Heavy Metals in Protein Powders
    • TruVani
      • TruVani Chocolate Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results
    • Orgain
      • Orgain Vanilla Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results
      • Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results
    • Vital Proteins
      • Vital Proteins Peptides Chocolate
  • Final Thoughts on Heavy Metals in Organic Protein Powders
  • POSTS RELATED TO HEAVY METALS IN PROTEIN POWDERS

Heavy Metals in Protein Powders

Protein powders have been found to contain heavy metals like:

  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium

These toxins have a variety of health implications such as neurotoxicity, cancer, endocrine disruption, and behavioral changes, to name a few.

Protein powders have also been found to contain pesticides residues like glyphosate (aka Roundup) which is why buying organic is so important. However, it’s important to note that buying organic does not entirely eliminate pesticide risk because there are drift concerns, but it reduces it significantly.

How I Tested For Heavy Metals in Protein Powders

I selected several brands that were organic or natural and sent off samples to a certified lab. I had the lab test for lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Please know that there are limitations to test results like this. This is a snapshot in time, in one batch. There can be variations, but tests like these give us a good idea of what is going on with a specific company.

Results of Heavy Metals in Protein Powders

I chose these brands based on accessibility, ease of acquiring, as well as my curiosity.

For all of the results below, the detection limit was approximately 0.08ppm (parts per million). I say approximately because there was a slight variation in the range. The detection limit was no higher than 0.086ppm on any of these samples. For those that want to know what this means in parts per billion (ppb), 0.08ppm = 80ppb.

TruVani

I was really interested in the TruVani protein powder when The Food Babe launched this product. However, I tried multiple times to get information on their heavy metal testing, and I was told each time that they do not share that information. I was bothered by this because 1) I like her mission for transparency and the change she has brought forth and 2) I wanted to support her company but couldn’t because there wasn’t transparency.

The protein powder does come with a CA prop 65 warning for lead. I was expecting this to test positive for lead based on the warning on the label.


TruVani Chocolate Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results

Truvani Chocolate Protein Product Image

Test Results: Non-Detect for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

I have to say I was very surprised with this test result and now wonder if they put the prop 65 warming on just as a precaution.

This product is:

  • USDA-certified organic
  • Non-GMO certified
  • Vegan
  • $59.99

To purchase this product, you have to buy direct. It is not sold in stores.

SHOP TRUVANI


Orgain

I wanted to test Orgain because they are an organic protein powder company that is easily accessible. They are found in many places, including Costco. It’s nice to know if you can grab something off the shelf and feel comfortable about using it or not.

Orgain Vanilla Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results

Test Results: Non-Detect for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder Heavy Metal Test Results

Orgain Chocolate Protein Product Image

Test Results: Non-Detect for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

Orgain has a variety of flavors and is:

  • USDA certified organic
  • Vegan
  • $20-$40 depending on product
  • Easily accessible

SHOP ORGAIN or on AMAZON


Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins is also easily accessible and found in a variety of places. The unflavored Vital Proteins, which I did not test, blends into pretty much anything unnoticed. Chocolate tends to have a higher heavy metal exposure, so testing the chocolate below was very interesting.

Vital proteins is not organic, but many people use this product due to its minimal ingredients and sourcing methods.

The product that was tested did come with a CA Prop 65 warning.

Vital Proteins Peptides Chocolate

Vital Proteins Chocolate Product Image

Test Results: Non-Detect for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

Vital Proteins is:

  • Animal-based
  • Transparent
  • America’s #1 collagen brand
  • Gluten and Dairy Free
  • Paleo Friendly

SHOP VITAL PROTEINS or on AMAZON


Final Thoughts on Heavy Metals in Organic Protein Powders

I honestly have to say I was surprised all four samples came back as non-detect for heavy metals, but I also am very happy to see that.

I talked to the lab about protein powders in general, and they said these samples were very clean. They saw the usual minerals you want to see in protein powders.

The lab also stated that they have tested a lot of protein powders over the years, and the cheaper the protein powder, the worse the test results tend to be. If you stay with higher-quality protein powders, you generally are better off.

I hope you found this helpful!

Pin it for later!

Heavy Metals in Protein Powders Pinterest Image 1

POSTS RELATED TO HEAVY METALS IN PROTEIN POWDERS

Glyphosate Testing in Organic Chickpeas and Lentils

Leach Testing Cookware for Heavy Metals

Testing Consumer Goods for Lead

Organic Food Delivery

Filed Under: Toxins

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    December 3, 2021 at 7:02 am

    What about arbone or kos protein powder

    • Shannon says

      December 3, 2021 at 9:54 am

      I haven’t tested those but I will keep them in mind. I may test some additional brands!

  2. Abbey says

    December 6, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    This was super helpful thank you! If you’re interested in testing organic PBfit peanut butter protein powder from BetterBody Foods I would be happy to come back for the results!

Primary Sidebar

Get Your Non-Toxic Living Tips to Create a Healthier Home & Healthier Family!

Top Posts

  • Pura lead dot 1Toxic levels of lead found in stainless steel water…
  • The best non-toxic car seats without the use of toxic flame retardants.2024 Best Non-Toxic Car Seats Without Flame Retardants
  • IMG_9210Leach testing my cookware for heavy metals
  • Non-Toxic Pots and PansNon-Toxic Pots & Pans
  • Scandinavian living room design with wooden table, floor lamp, wicker basket and white sofa on beige background. Simple interior design, 3D renderThe Best Non-Toxic Couch for 2024
  • The best wooden toy companies that are non-toxic and not made in China.Toys (No Plastic!)

garden and fresh kitchen

JOIN THE NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know all the latest non-toxic living tips and deals

Footer

 

The Fine Print

I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any products or methods mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or ailment. You can read the Disclaimer Policy, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use below.

Affiliate Disclosure

Affiliate Disclosure: The Natural Baby Mama contains Affiliate links in the form of banner ads, text links and photo links in blog posts . I may receive compensation on sales via the links to our vendor partners and sponsors. I may receive monetary or other types of compensation for my endorsement, recommendation, and/or link to any products from this blog. Thank you for supporting my affiliate links!

Amazon Affiliate

The Natural Baby Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 
Natural Baby Mama

Copyright © 2025 · Natural Baby Mama · Disclaimer · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Policy

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Heavy Metals in Protein Powders Pinterest Image 2
Heavy Metals in Protein Powders Pinterest Image 1