WASHINGTON — This story from The Conversation is by C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut

Powder and ready-to-drink protein sales have exploded, reaching over $32 billion globally from 2024 to 2025. Increasingly, consumers are using these protein sources daily .

A new study by Consumer Reports , published on Oct. 14, 2025, claims that some such protein products contain dangerously high levels of lead , as well as other heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic. At high levels, these substances have serious, well-documented health risks .

I am a clinical pharmacologist who has evaluated the heavy metal content of baby food , calcium supplements and kratom products . Lead and other heavy metals occur naturally i

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