Why is Everyone Talking About Heavy Metals in Protein Powders?

Recent media reports, including a CNN article from January, have sparked concerns about heavy metals like lead and cadmium in protein powders. The Clean Label Project also tested various products and found that many plant-based and chocolate-flavoured powders contained higher levels of these metals.

What About Huel?

Huel foods are made from natural plant-based ingredients, which—like all plant-based foods—naturally contain trace amounts of heavy metals due to their presence in soil and water. However, the levels in Huel are well below the limits set by health authorities and pose no risk to consumers.

What the CNN Report Didn’t Tell You

1. All Plant-Based Foods Contain Some Heavy Metals – This includes vegetables, grains, and protein powders.

2. Huel’s Levels Are Low & Well-Managed – Our products are regularly tested to ensure they meet international safety standards.

3. Prop 65 Warnings Are Extremely Cautious – Even a cup of spinach could require a Prop 65 warning due to its natural metal content.

California’s Proposition 65 flags the presence of substances but does not assess whether typical exposure levels pose any risk. Regulatory safety standards—such as those set by the FDA, EPA, and global food safety organisations—take real-world consumption into account, ensuring that exposure levels remain safe.

For example, many everyday plant-based foods, such as nuts and spinach, naturally contain trace amounts of heavy metals. While these could technically trigger a Prop 65 warning, they are still well within globally accepted safe consumption levels. The same applies to Huel—our products are thoroughly tested and comply with the strictest international food safety guidelines.

Huel’s Safety & Testing Standards

• Regular Testing – We routinely test our products to ensure they meet strict safety standards in both the USA and the EU.

• Manufactured in Accredited Facilities – Huel is made in GFSI-accredited facilities that follow the BRC standard for food safety and quality control.

• Prop 65 Compliance – California’s Proposition 65 requires a warning label for even extremely low levels of certain substances, including naturally occurring heavy metals found in all foods. A Prop 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe—it simply informs consumers of any detectable levels based on California’s stringent standards.

How Do Huel’s Heavy Metal Levels Compare?

Independent testing confirms that Huel’s products remain well within established safety limits:

• Lead – Measured levels are significantly lower than even the strictest global safety standards.

• Cadmium – Naturally occurring in plant-based foods like spinach and nuts, with Huel’s levels comparable to this.

• Arsenic & Mercury – Consistently below detection limits in most products.

Bottom Line: Huel is Safe

Huel products are rigorously tested. All heavy metals are well below any level of concern. The recent media coverage lacks context, as it doesn’t compare protein powders to everyday foods. If you eat vegetables, grains, or nuts, you are already consuming trace amounts of heavy metals—just like in Huel.

Words by Jose Ferreira, Huel’s Head of Technical