SACRAMENTO – Protein powders and shakes consumed daily by millions of Californians could soon face mandatory testing for toxic heavy metals under a first-in-the-nation bill introduced today. If enacted, the bill would require manufacturers to publicly disclose levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in their products.
Senate Bill 1033, authored by state Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports, responds to mounting evidence that some protein products contain levels of heavy metals high enough to raise serious public health concerns, particularly for teens and frequent users.
“The rapidly expanding protein industry is putting untested and, in some cases, unsafe products onto store shelves,” said Senator Padilla. “We need to put common-sense guardrails in place to hold manufacturers accountable, require proper testing, and ensure families can trust that the products they buy won’t put their health at risk.”
Big exposure, little oversight
Protein shakes and powders – added to everything from salads to coffee – have become a daily staple for millions of Californians, consumed by athletes, teens, pregnant people and those using appetite-suppressing medications. These products can boost muscle recovery, provide an easy portable source of protein and help in weight management.
Despite their widespread use, these products face no routine tests or public disclosure requirements for toxic heavy metals, unlike baby food and prenatal vitamins.
Independent tests have repeatedly found cause for concern.
A Consumer Reports investigation last year found detectable lead in nearly every protein powder and shake tested. Some single servings contained enough lead to cause a woman of childbearing age to exceed the recommended daily limit for lead from food by the Food and Drug Administration.
“When a single scoop of protein powder can push someone past recommended limits for lead, it’s a clear sign the system is failing consumers, especially those who are pregnant or using protein products every day,” said Susan Little, EWG’s California legislative director.
Another study from last year discovered that nearly half of the tested products exceeded at least one state or federal safety limit for lead, cadmium, mercury or arsenic.
For 21% of products the study analyzed, a single serving contained more than twice California’s Proposition 65 limit for lead. Follow-up tests found that some brands contained significantly lower heavy metal levels, demonstrating that safer sourcing and manufacturing are possible.
Widespread contamination
“Our tests have found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein powder is widespread and has gotten worse since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports.
“No one should have to worry that their protein shake could expose them to dangerous levels of lead and other contaminants. This bill will help Californians make healthier buying decisions and create a strong incentive for protein powder manufacturers to get lead and other toxic elements out of their products. We commend Sen. Padilla for his great work on this bill,” Ronholm added.
Federal standards also fall short of protecting frequent users.
The FDA’s limits for lead are based on exposure that would come from a full day of typical food consumption. Its recommendations do not apply to concentrated products like protein powders, which many consumers ingest multiple times daily.
“Many people have two, three or even four servings of protein powders a day,” Little said. “Without routine tests and public disclosure, consumers have no way to assess their risk.”
Serious health risks
Heavy metals are potent toxins, and even low-level, repeated exposure can cause lasting and irreversible harm.
“Every effort should be made to limit lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic contamination of food,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D. a senior scientist at EWG. “Testing and verifying that lead levels are as close to zero as possible is necessary, especially when people consume these products day after day.”
Public health experts warn that heavy metals are well-established neurotoxins that can damage the brain and nervous system, particularly in children. But adults are also at serious risk. Chronic exposure to lead has been linked to cardiovascular disease and long-term neurological damage, while cadmium, mercury and arsenic can harm the heart, kidneys, immune system and digestive system, and cancer.
Risks are highest for pregnant people and the developing fetus, where exposure has been associated with low birth weight, preterm birth, birth defects and lasting neurodevelopmental effects.
Transparency drives safer products
California has already proven that sunlight works when it comes to revealing what’s actually in popular products.
After the state required heavy metal testing and public disclosure for baby food, manufacturers responded by reducing contamination levels in many product categories, demonstrating that transparency drives cleaner sourcing and safer manufacturing.
SB 1033 would extend that proven model to protein powders, shakes and bars. Beginning in 2027, manufacturers would be required to:
- Regularly test representative product samples for lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic
- Publicly post test results online
- Disclose the name and concentration of each detected metal
- Direct consumers to the results through product labeling
“Once companies are required to show their data, contamination drops – it’s that simple,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG’s senior vice president for California. “Protein powders have flown under the radar for far too long.”
“This bill forces the industry to clean up its act and gives Californians the power to see exactly what they’re being asked to swallow,” she said.
A national precedent
If enacted, SB 1033 would make California the first state in the nation to require routine testing and public disclosure of heavy metals in protein powders, shakes and bars, a move expected to reshape industry practices nationwide and pressure federal regulators to follow suit.
“Right now, there’s no federal requirement even to test protein powders for heavy metals, let alone inform the public,” Little said. “That’s unacceptable.”
“SB 1033 replaces secrecy with accountability and gives people the clarity and peace of mind they deserve,” said Little.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
