I Found Out My Protein Powder Has Lead in It — What Costco and Orgain Are Not Telling You

Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Grace Oluchi

I have been using Orgain organic plant-based protein powder from Costco for over a year. It is vegan, organic, has 21 grams of protein per serving, and costs about $30 for a 2.64-pound container. I thought it was one of the healthier options out there.

Then I saw the lawsuit.

What the Lawsuit Claims

On July 8, consumers filed a class-action lawsuit against Costco in federal court, alleging that Orgain protein powder contains elevated levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium — heavy metals that are known to pose health risks.

The lawsuit says independent lab testing detected these metals in the product, and that Costco sold it knowingly without disclosing the risk to consumers. The plaintiffs argue they would not have paid $30 per container if they had known about the contamination.

Is This Product Recalled?

No. There is no recall. Orgain says its products are compliant with food safety standards. The products are still on shelves at Costco, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

But here is the catch: protein powder is classified as a food supplement, not a food. The FDA does not require manufacturers to test for heavy metals before selling. It is self-regulated. And plant-based proteins — which absorb minerals from soil — are particularly prone to containing trace heavy metals.

How Worried Should You Be?

The honest answer: it depends on how much you consume and for how long.

The FDA states there is no known safe level of lead exposure. Regular consumption of heavy metals has been linked to bladder, lung, and skin cancer; cognitive and reproductive problems; and type 2 diabetes.

But research is nuanced. A 2020 study found that ingestion of trace heavy metals through protein powder did not increase the risk of adverse health effects in the short term. And none of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit report actual health problems.

The bigger concern is long-term, cumulative exposure. If you are drinking a protein shake every day for years, the trace metals add up.

What I Did

I did not throw out my Orgain. But I made changes:

• I stopped using it daily — protein powder is now a occasional supplement, not a daily staple
• I rotate brands — I looked at the Clean Label Project, a nonprofit that tests protein powders for heavy metals. They identified several brands that tested free of detectable lead
• I added whole-food protein sources — eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken, lentils. These do not have the heavy metal concern
• I check for third-party testing — brands that publish their heavy metal test results are more trustworthy

What to Look For in a Protein Powder

• Third-party tested — look for NSF, Informed Sport, or USP certification
• Publishes heavy metal test results — if a brand will not share this data, ask why
• Whey or collagen-based — these tend to have lower heavy metal levels than plant-based proteins (though they are not vegan)
• Rotate sources — do not rely on one brand or type exclusively

The Bottom Line

Orgain is not poison. The lawsuit does not claim anyone was harmed. But the fact that a $30 “organic, clean” protein powder contains lead, arsenic, and cadmium — and the manufacturer is not required to disclose it — should make you think about what you are actually putting in your body.

Protein powder is a supplement, not a food. And supplements are self-regulated. The best thing you can do is reduce your reliance on any single product, eat whole foods when possible, and look for brands that are transparent about their testing.

Your health is worth more than a $30 container of powder.

Sources

• USA Today: Costco Sued Over Protein Powder
• Seattle Times: Costco Faces Lawsuit
• Clean Label Project: Heavy Metal Testing

Last updated July 16, 2026.