Imagine this: you're standing in the supplement aisle, staring at rows upon rows of protein powders, all promising to fuel your body and support your fitness goals.

But what if I told you that nearly half of those products could be contaminated with harmful levels of lead? That's the startling reality revealed by a recent study from the Clean Label Project.

In their 2024-2025 investigation of 160 top-selling protein powder products in the United States representing 83% of the market, the Clean Label Project revealed that a staggering 47% were found to exceed the safety thresholds for lead set by California's Proposition 65.

Even more alarming, 21% of those products contained more than double the acceptable limit of this toxic heavy metal.* Not what you’re looking for in your protein powder? 

These findings are deeply concerning, as lead exposure can have severe consequences on human health.

Great to (finally) see mainstream media like CNN and Women's Health write about this, and no surprise the comments these articles get on social media show outrage. From cognitive impairment and developmental delays to kidney damage and reproductive issues, the risks associated with lead contamination are simply too grave to ignore.**

Your Body, Your Decision

When we choose to incorporate supplements into our daily routines, we do so with the intention of improving our overall well-being. We should be able to trust that the products we consume are safe, pure, and free from potentially hazardous substances. Unfortunately, the lack of transparency in the supplement industry can undermine this trust, leaving us vulnerable to unknowingly ingesting substances that could potentially compromise our health. 

It's crucial to understand that your body is an intricate system, and even trace amounts of contaminants can have far-reaching consequences. Heavy metals, for instance, can accumulate in your tissue over time, leading to a range of health issues. As a responsible consumer, you have a right to demand transparency from supplement manufacturers, ensuring that you can make informed decisions about what you choose to put into your body. 

Fifteen years ago, my co-founder and I were desperate to find a high-quality fish oil supplement that we could trust. However, we struggled to find any manufacturer willing to disclose data on freshness and levels of heavy metals. Every expert we talked to back then told us to be careful we didn’t consume oil that had oxidated and gone rancid, yet no brand would or could tell us their TOTOX (total oxidation) levels. It became clear to us that the supplement industry lacked transparency and a genuine commitment to consumer safety. 

This experience was the catalyst for us. We realized that if we wanted a product that met our expectations for quality and transparency, we would have to create it ourselves.

That's when Puori was born – with a name derived from Pure and Origin

we’ve committed ourselves to only developing supplements from quality ingredients that would be transparent to consumers so we would be worthy of their trust. 

We believe that you as a consumer have a rightful demand to know exactly what you are putting into your body, especially when it comes to supplements that are intended to promote health and wellness. The Clean Label Project protein study mentioned above unfortunately makes it all too clear just how much you and other consumers are being kept in the dark, and how much industry-wide transparency is needed. 

Our third-party testing has evolved over the years so that today every batch of every product is tested against more than 200 contaminants ranging from heavy metals, BPAs, PFAS, Oxidation, Dioxins to pesticides, depending on the product category and the risk of contamination. From 2020 we have had QR-codes on every product allowing customers direct access to the full test report for every batch, earning us the Clean Label Project Transparency Award. Imagine if all brands in the protein study had the same transparency? Then consumers would be able to make informed decisions and decide for themselves what health risks they are willing to take.

A Protein Powder You Can Trust, with a Taste You Will Love

So, back at the supplement aisle without industry-wide transparency, what do you do? I assume you don’t want to randomly select a protein powder with a 47% risk of lead above the Prop65 threshold and a 21% risk of twice that, so I suggest you try our PW1 Whey Protein. It is sourced from grass-fed cows, non-GMO, gluten-free with no hormones and undergoes the same rigorous testing process as any other Puori product to ensure the Clean Label Project certification, with all their test results are made publicly available for full transparency. Scan the QR-code on the label to see for yourself! 

Each serving provides a generous 21 grams of high-quality whey protein, essential for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. It contains 5.8g BCAA (Branched-Charin Amino Acids), which are the building blocks of protein and crucial for overall health and wellness. 

So, with Puori PW1 you can have all the benefits of protein on your muscle recovery and conveniently support your daily nutritional goals without having to worry about harmful contaminants detrimental to your health. Or as we say: with Puori you get Purity, Potency & Peace of Mind. 

Epilogue: The Future of Supplement Transparency

As concerning as the findings of the Clean Label Project study are, they also represent an opportunity for positive change within the supplement industry. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the potential risks associated with certain products, and their demand for transparency and accountability is growing louder. 

Moving forward, it is crucial that we see greater regulation and oversight in the supplement industry. While we at Puori have taken it upon ourselves to prioritize quality and transparency, there is a need for industry-wide standards and enforcement mechanisms. This could involve more stringent testing requirements, stricter labeling guidelines, and harsher penalties for non-compliance. 

However, true change will only come when consumers continue to exercise their power of choice. By sharing the troubling realities in the Clean Label Project protein powder study with friends and loved ones, supporting brands that prioritize transparency based on third-party data and rejecting those that fail to meet acceptable standards -we can create a market environment that incentivizes ethical and responsible practices.  

The future of supplement transparency lies in a collaborative effort between responsible companies, regulatory bodies, and informed consumers. By working together, we can create a safer and more trustworthy industry, where the health and well-being of individuals is the top priority. It is time to move beyond the unacceptable levels of contamination and embrace a new era of transparency and accountability.