The Heavy Truth: Analyzing the 2025 Consumer Reports Protein Findings—and How Casa de Sante Stacks Up

Consumer Reports (CR) tested 23 popular protein powders and shakes in Oct‑2025. ~70% delivered more than 0.5 mcg of lead per labeled serving, the very strict “level of concern” CR used. Most of the outliers were mass gainers and plant‑based formulas. Our latest third‑party Certificates of Analysis (COAs) show Casa de Santé’s Whey 26 Advanced Vanilla (0.131 mcg) and Clean Collagen (0.010 mcg) are among the cleanest options for daily use under CR’s benchmark, while Whey 26 Advanced Chocolate (0.560 mcg) and Vegan Protein Vanilla (≈1.20 mcg, estimated) sit above the CR line.

What Consumer Reports actually did

• Scope & sampling. CR bought two to three lots each of 23 powders and ready‑to‑drink shakes from retail and online channels (Nov‑2024–Jan‑2025). Samples were blind‑coded and analyzed by an ISO/IEC 17025–accredited independent lab.

• Methods. Heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) were measured by Triple Quadrupole ICP‑MS per AOAC 2015.01; protein was verified by the Dumas method (AOAC 968.06).

• Risk frame. CR compared one labeled serving per day to Prop 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs)—lead: 0.56 mcg/day—reporting results as % of the CR “level of concern.” (This is a protective consumer benchmark, not a legal finding.)

• Headline finding. As summarized on page 1 of CR’s article, “more than two‑thirds” (about 70%) of the tested products exceeded the 0.5–0.56 mcg/day line for lead.

Standout numbers from CR’s results table

The test results tables show several widely sold products far above the 0.56 mcg/day threshold per serving:

• Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass (Vanilla): 7.70 mcg lead/serving (≈1540% of CR’s limit).

• Huel Black Edition (Chocolate): 6.31 mcg/serving (≈1260%).

• Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant‑Based Protein (Vanilla): 2.76 mcg/serving (≈552%).

CR also notes that plant‑based and some mass‑gainer formulas tend to run higher—partly because certain crops (e.g., peas, cacao) can concentrate metals from soil. (See the plant‑vs‑whey discussion in the article’s analysis and “advice for consumers.”)

Why heavy metals in daily shakes matter

• Lead exposure is cumulative. Even tiny daily amounts add up and are linked to increased blood pressure and kidney effects in adults; CR stresses there’s no known “safe” level for lead. (See “Understanding Lead Exposure” and related sections.)

• Regulatory context. The FDA’s Interim Reference Level (IRL) is 8.87 mcg/day for women of child‑bearing age (and 2.27 mcg/day for children). CR’s 0.56 mcg/day benchmark is intentionally far stricter to minimize cumulative exposure from a daily supplement.

• Key takeaway: Meeting federal guidance doesn’t automatically mean “optimal for daily use.” CR’s limit helps consumers pick extra‑low options for something many drink every day.

How Casa de Santé tests—and why we publish our data

We prioritize independent, ISO/IEC‑accredited labs and established methods:

• Summit Nutritional Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025; methods: USP <232>/<233> for heavy metals).

• Mérieux NutriSciences (methods aligned with AOAC 2015.01).

We test for lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury and publish the COAs so you can verify results yourself.

Our results vs. CR’s benchmark

We compare Casa de Santé’s latest third‑party results to the results reported by CR. (All values are lead per labeled serving.)

Bottom line: If you want the lowest‑lead daily protein under CR’s ultra‑strict benchmark, choose Casa de Santé Whey 26 Advanced Vanilla or Clean Collagen. Our Whey 26 Chocolate and Vegan Protein are still far below FDA’s IRL, but because they sit above CR’s line, they’re best as occasional options while we continue supplier and process improvements.

The receipts: COAs (independent, ISO/IEC‑accredited)

Tip: Each COA shows the method and the lead result per serving (for Summit) or in ppm (for Mérieux).

Whey 26 Advanced Vanilla COA (Summit Labs)

Result (lead): 0.131 mcg/serving (USP <232>/<233>)

Whey 26 Advanced Chocolate COA (Summit Labs)

Result (lead): 0.560 mcg/serving (USP <232>/<233>)

Clean Collagen COA (Summit Labs)

Result (lead): 0.010 mcg/serving (USP <232>/<233>)

Vegan Protein Vanilla COA (Mérieux NutriSciences)

COA reports lead in ppm (mg/kg); we convert to mcg/serving (see “How we convert” below). Estimated ≈1.20 mcg/serving for a ~30–40 g serving.

How our numbers line up with CR’s risk frame

Regulatory note: All Casa de Santé results are well below FDA’s IRL for adults (8.87 mcg/day for women of child‑bearing age), but we publish against CR’s much stricter line to support customers seeking ultra‑low daily exposure.

Why some categories run higher (and what we’re doing)

CR highlights that plant‑based proteins and formulas with cacao can carry more metals because the underlying crops can accumulate metals from soil; sourcing regions and agricultural practices matter. We are:

1. Tightening raw‑material specs for pea and cocoa derivatives.

2. Shifting agricultural sources toward lower‑metal regions when feasible.

3. Increasing lot‑by‑lot testing cadence with ISO/IEC‑accredited labs.

4. Publishing COAs so you can verify every result.

How we convert ppm to mcg/serving (for COAs that list ppm)

Some labs (e.g., Mérieux) report lead in ppm (mg/kg). To compare apples‑to‑apples with CR’s mcg/serving numbers:

mcg per serving = ppm × serving size (g)
(Because 1 ppm = 1 mg/kg = 1 mcg/g.)

• Example: 0.040 ppm × 30 g ≈ 1.2 mcg per serving.
  Small differences in labeled serving size (e.g., 30 g vs. 33 g) will shift the mcg/serving number slightly.

What this means for your shake

• Daily, ultra‑clean picks: Clean Collagen and Whey 26 Advanced Vanilla (very low vs. CR’s benchmark).

• Occasional picks: Whey 26 Advanced Chocolate and Vegan Protein Vanilla until we finish new‑crop validations.

• Sensitive digestion? Our whey includes ProHydrolase® enzymes and our formulas are Low FODMAP‑friendly—because tolerability matters as much as purity.

Practical buying checklist (from CR’s advice + our process)

• Read COAs. Prefer brands that publish recent, lot‑specific COAs from ISO/IEC 17025 labs.

• Prefer lighter‑colored whey or collagen if you’re minimizing risk aggressively; use plant‑based & cocoa‑rich powders sparingly unless you can verify ultra‑low COAs.

• Understand the benchmark. CR’s 0.56 mcg/day is the strictest mainstream line; FDA’s IRL is higher. Choose the standard that fits your risk preferences.

Sources & data

• CR article (Oct 2025): overview, findings, and consumer advice (see page 1 headline for the “~70%” statement and subsequent analysis pages).

• CR Test‑Methodology & Results PDF (Oct 2025): methods (AOAC 2015.01; Dumas), risk equation (MADL basis), FDA IRLs)

Shop lab‑verified protein

• Clean Collagen Peptides – lowest lead per serving

• Advanced Whey Protein Vanilla – ultra‑low, daily‑friendly

• Advanced Whey Protein Chocolate – occasional treat while we push levels even lower

• Vegan Protein Vanilla – plant‑based option; see current COA and use occasionally until our new low‑metal lots arrive

Transparency note. Heavy‑metal levels can vary lot‑to‑lot. We routinely refresh COAs and update this page as new lots are released.