Fact checked by Nick Blackmer A new report found higher-than-acceptable levels of the harmful metals cadmium and lead in many protein powders.Organic, plant-based, and chocolate-flavored protein powders had the highest levels of contamination.

Protein powders may contain high levels of lead and cadmium, with chocolate-flavored and plant-based products testing at the highest levels, a new report said.

exceeded California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals. The presence of heavy metals was most pronounced in plant-based protein powders, with products made from rice, peas, and soy found to have up to three times the amount of lead compared to whey-based products.

Chocolate protein powders contained up to 110 times more cadmium than vanilla-flavored powders, according to the Clean Label Project report from Jan. 9. Photo: Christopher Polk/ Nearly half of some of the most popular protein powders have levels of heavy metals like lead that exceed government food safety regulations,

A new report from the Clean Label Project says some popular protein powders may actually be poisonous. The report found “disturbing” levels of lead and cadmium in over-the-counter protein powers, with the highest amounts of the heavy metals being found in plant-based,

The report found that 77% of plant-based protein powders, 79% of organic protein powders and 65% of chocolate-flavored protein powders tested over California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals.