Why Heavy-Metal Testing Matters and How We Stand Out
A recent investigation by Consumer Reports uncovered a significant concern: many popular protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes contain elevated levels of lead. We are not one of those proteins. At Wild Society Nutrition, you'll find only clean, natural ingredients that have been third-party tested by Informed Choice and are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified.
What the Consumer Reports Investigation Found
- In their analysis of 23 different protein powders and shakes, covering dairy-based, beef-based, and plant-based formulas, more than two-thirds of the products tested contained more lead per serving than what Consumer Reports deems safe for daily intake. (Their “level of concern” is approximately 0.5 micrograms (µg) of lead per serving).
- Some brands were flagged for very high levels: for instance, the plant-based powders in the highest range contained 6.3 µg and 7.7 µg of lead per serving.
- The investigation also identified a pattern: plant-based powders (often containing pea, rice or soy protein) tended to show higher lead levels compared with dairy or beef based powders.
- While the federally recommended or allowed levels are higher, Consumer Reports points out that any lead exposure is undesirable, and frequent use of powders with elevated heavy metal content can raise cumulative risk.The FDA uses a reference level of 8.8 micrograms of lead per day for women of childbearing age as a guide to assess potential health concerns in food and supplements
- Importantly, the regulation of dietary supplements such as protein powders is less rigorous than that for medications or certain foods: manufacturers are not required to have safety approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before marketing many of these products.
What This Means for You
If you’re using a protein powder every day (or multiple times per day), the findings highlight the importance of choosing a product that has been tested for heavy metals and has transparent results.
How Wild Society Nutrition Delivers Peace of Mind
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At Wild Society Nutrition, our commitment is to give you not only great taste and reliable protein, but also the confidence that you’re making a safe choice. Our powders are rigorously tested for heavy metals, including lead, and we benchmark well below the levels identified as concerning in Consumer Reports’ investigation.
- While Consumer Reports uses a level of concern of ~0.5 µg of lead per serving, we ensure that our product stays significantly under that threshold (although, we were not included in the report, we test up to 10x under that threshold).
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By choosing Wild Society, you’re selecting a protein powder that aligns with both best-practice safety standards and high product quality.
The fact that so many products exceed what even conservative experts consider safe should prompt all of us to ask tougher questions of our supplement choices.
At Wild Society Nutrition, we believe you deserve transparency, quality, and peace of mind. Our testing protocols and our commitment to safety mean you can trust the scoop. Because when you invest in your health, every detail matters.
Below is a screenshot of a recent certificate of analysis for our whey protein isolate, with the product release supervisor's name removed for privacy.
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Our Clear Whey Isolate Protein + Electrolytes is enhanced with a balanced blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium for superior hydration support. With no added sugar, natural flavors, and clean ingredients, it offers fast absorption and lighter digestion. Our ingredients have been third-party tested by Informed Choice and are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified.
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Our Grass-Fed Whey Protein includes organic mushrooms: Reishi, Eleuthero, and Cordyceps for immune support, muscle strength and endurance. You'll find only clean, natural ingredients that have been third-party tested by Informed Choice and are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified.
