{"id":20354,"date":"2025-10-24T09:42:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T14:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/?p=20354"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:20:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T18:20:17","slug":"lead-in-protein-powder-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/protein\/lead-in-protein-powder-what-to-know.html","title":{"rendered":"Lead in Protein Powder: A GNC Dietitian\u2019s Hot Take"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"20354\" class=\"elementor elementor-20354\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-336283d5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"336283d5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-52c322e2\" data-id=\"52c322e2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75d9db9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75d9db9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">As a dietitian who <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW106166744 BCX0\">knows<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\"> the ins and outs of dietary supplements<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">, I have never had more questions about heavy metals than I have over the past week. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">You may have heard about it recently, too, due to a new article published by<\/span> <\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">Consumer Reports <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">called \u201c<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW106166744 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/lead\/protein-powders-and-shakes-contain-high-levels-of-lead-a4206364640\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW106166744 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">\u201d. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">This has caused a lot of media attention, social buzz, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">and quite honestly\u2026confusion. And I <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW106166744 BCX0\">get<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\"> that. Supplements are confusing on a normal day, let alone when <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW106166744 BCX0\">a million people are weighing in on a topic that requires nuanced discussion.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP TrackedChange SCXW106166744 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-337de7b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"337de7b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-206fef1\" data-id=\"206fef1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbfd92a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bbfd92a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">While the headlines may sound alarming, the truth is that trace amounts of heavy metals occur naturally in <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">virtually all<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\"> foods, including vegetables and fruits. What matters most is <\/span><\/span><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">how much<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\"> is present and whether a product <\/span><\/span><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">meets trusted safety limits<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">.<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW56076752 BCX0\">So<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\"> before you toss out your tub of protein powder, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">let\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\"> get into<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">the facts<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW56076752 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW56076752 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-efa2fd6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"efa2fd6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a9aeedf\" data-id=\"a9aeedf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b0a2c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8b0a2c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lead-in-food-infographic.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-21131\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lead-in-food-infographic.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lead-in-food-infographic-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lead-in-food-infographic-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lead-in-food-infographic-768x767.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c452bff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c452bff\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5599a07\" data-id=\"5599a07\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dca9d0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dca9d0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What You Need To Know:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c9d6d1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7c9d6d1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b538852\" data-id=\"b538852\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6081d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6081d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bottom line? Don\u2019t panic. Whey protein goes through several filtration steps and products are tested for heavy metals at various stages in the manufacturing process to ensure they are safe and don\u2019t contain high levels of contaminants.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic occur naturally in the environment and in the food we eat every day.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consumer Reports<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> recently published test results evaluating the lead and heavy metal content of protein powders and shakes. However, the limits were based on a very low and restrictive amount of heavy metals established by the state of California.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/protein\/protein-powder\/?prefn1=brand&amp;prefv1=GNC%7CGNC%20AMP%7CGNC%20Pro%20Performance%C2%AE%7CGNC%20Total%20Lean%C2%AE%7CBeyond%20Raw%C2%AE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GNC branded proteins<\/a> are rigorously tested and meet or fall below U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) safety standards, which allow up to 5 micrograms of lead per daily serving.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"13\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Generally speaking, protein powders are very clean options when it comes to heavy metals. Most of the products that tend to test higher are plant-based proteins (because of the naturally occurring metals in soil), mass gainers (because of the high dose), and chocolate flavors (because of cocoa).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bccd703 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bccd703\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8e8825e\" data-id=\"8e8825e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cefcda0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cefcda0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What did Consumer Reports find?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ffe8657 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ffe8657\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-493b919\" data-id=\"493b919\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-703952c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"703952c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW31146271 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW31146271 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Consumer Reports<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">, a nonprofit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> organization that<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">prioritizes<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">transparency for consumers,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> conducted testing on 23 of the most popular protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">. Results found that about 70% of the products contained levels <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW31146271 BCX0\">of lead<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> \u201c<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">over 120 percent of CR\u2019s level of concern for lead, which is 0.5 micrograms pe<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">r d<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">ay<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">\u201d. Products were then categorized as<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> products to avoid, products to limit to once per week, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">okay to take occasionally,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\"> better choices for daily consumption.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW31146271 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW31146271 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d1e3092 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d1e3092\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-81f2113\" data-id=\"81f2113\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f46ae5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f46ae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is there lead in protein powder? Are protein powders safe?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cfade7e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cfade7e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-08f0b0b\" data-id=\"08f0b0b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7a0878 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7a0878\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yes, there is lead in protein powder, but not for the reasons you might think. Trace levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic occur naturally in many foods, including vegetables, grains, and fruits. They\u2019re present in the environment and can be absorbed through soil, water, and air. This means even clean, high-quality protein powders may contain very small amounts.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To further ease your mind\u2026a 2020 publication in Toxicology Reports found that the typical intake of protein from dietary supplements does not pose an increased health risk due to the presence of heavy metals. The products on the \u201chigher end\u201d were mass gainer powders. This makes sense because the dose of mass gainers are high, requiring upwards of 6 scoops per serving. More scoops means more protein, and all the ingredients that go with it [<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">6]<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c59e0a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c59e0a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-89eb20e\" data-id=\"89eb20e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de8bc87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de8bc87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How much lead and heavy metals are considered safe? <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2de5c8e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2de5c8e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9999bc\" data-id=\"b9999bc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b35919 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b35919\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\">This is where things become nuanced. The answer is: It depends what you\u2019re basing the levels on. Essentially, there are three organizations <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\">that provide guidance<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\"> for heavy metal limits,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\"> such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW168502841 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2bce74 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e2bce74\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a1fe981\" data-id=\"a1fe981\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5ceee5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5ceee5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"12\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FDA Guidance<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: In the United States, there are no federal guidelines for the amount of lead that adults can safely consume through the diet. Instead, the FDA has developed Interim Reference Levels (IRL) for children and women of childbearing age. IRLs are just estimates to use as a benchmark and are not an official regulation. The IRL for lead is 2.2 mcg per day for children, 8.8 mcg for women of child-bearing age, and 12.5 mcg for the general adult population.[<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1,2]<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"12\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">USP Guidance: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the pharmaceutical and supplement industry, a common standard for finished product testing is the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) limits for heavy metals. The USP limit for lead is 5 mcg per day[<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3]. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The NSF\/ANSI 173 is another standard used and applicable to foods and supplements, and some companies use their standards for testing heavy metals. For example, the ANSI limit for lead is 10 mcg per day[<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">10].<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"12\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">California Proposition 65<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: The state of California has a regulation known as Proposition 65, which requires warnings on product labels indicating the product contains ingredients that may cause reproductive harm. California\u2019s Prop 65 limits for heavy metals are <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">much<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> lower than what\u2019s allowable by USP. For example, the Prop 65 limit for lead is ten times lower than the USP limit (0.5 mcg vs 5 mcg)[4].<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aa77e2f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aa77e2f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0a7816e\" data-id=\"0a7816e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d916087 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d916087\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">It&#8217;s also worth noting that heavy metals occur naturally in the foods we eat every day. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">A study from 2018 evaluated the heavy metal levels of the five most-co<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">nsumed v<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">egetables in the US: <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">lettuce, potato, carrot, tomato<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\"> and onio<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">n. Results showed<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\"> that <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">many of<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">these common veggie<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">s <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">cont<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">a<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW37722187 BCX0\">in<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW37722187 BCX0\"> more h<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\">eavy metals than many of the protein products listed in the Consumer Reports article[<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW37722187 BCX0\" data-fontsize=\"12\">7].<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37722187 BCX0\"> Shocking huh?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW37722187 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-433c0b3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"433c0b3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fb6c23\" data-id=\"5fb6c23\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbc88fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cbc88fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\">To help<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\"> compare apples to apples, below is a chart that outlines the limits for heavy metals as <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\">established<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\"> by health organizations, the amounts found in a serving of common foods, and the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\">amounts<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\"> found in protein powders<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\"> If <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\">you&#8217;re<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW176794855 BCX0\"> wondering, &#8220;How much lead is in my protein powder?&#8221; Here&#8217;s one way to understand it: You would need to drink eight servings of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/whey-protein\/379969.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey protein<\/a> to match the amount of naturally occurring lead found in a single serving (85g) of lettuce.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW176794855 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a445b3a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a445b3a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba52196\" data-id=\"ba52196\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e19265 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e19265\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Comparison of Heavy Metal Limits and Amounts Found in Foods <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2666b9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e2666b9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-131ad47\" data-id=\"131ad47\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4045bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c4045bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GNC\u2019s Protein Powder Safety Measures<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ffb99c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2ffb99c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f1c1a3\" data-id=\"7f1c1a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d2eece elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3d2eece\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1fd40a3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1fd40a3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fb98c4f\" data-id=\"fb98c4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8917e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c8917e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/leadlimitsandamountsinfoodsupps.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-20356\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/leadlimitsandamountsinfoodsupps.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/leadlimitsandamountsinfoodsupps-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/leadlimitsandamountsinfoodsupps-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3d630d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3d630d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-007df10\" data-id=\"007df10\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab480a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab480a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Testing<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cefa0b0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cefa0b0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4db5f91\" data-id=\"4db5f91\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bae607 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bae607\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For GNC branded products, we test every batch of raw ingredients for heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Our finished products (including whey, casein, and plant-based proteins) go through additional testing to confirm they meet or fall below safety limits established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and other regulatory bodies.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If any GNC products (including protein) contain levels of heavy metals above the levels established by California Proposition 65, they will receive a warning on the product label. However, it doesn\u2019t mean the product is unsafe. Many of the chemicals that are on the Prop 65 list occur naturally in the foods we eat every day.\u00a0 Many companies produce separate packaging for California products, but GNC only uses one label and provides the Proposition 65 warning to all consumers for an added layer of transparency.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3476e54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3476e54\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e6e003\" data-id=\"6e6e003\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8ec866 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e8ec866\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Manufacturing<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-650a32f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"650a32f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2f1442\" data-id=\"f2f1442\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-093c1e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"093c1e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\">All our manufacturers are audited by our quality team as well as the FDA and other 3<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW37579880 BCX0\" data-fontsize=\"12\">rd<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\"> party auditors to ensure that they are following the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37579880 BCX0\">as part of the code of federal regulations.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW37579880 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4cb97f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4cb97f1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b5439c\" data-id=\"3b5439c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-704249d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"704249d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Third-Party Testing <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c8bbe6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c8bbe6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-845fc96\" data-id=\"845fc96\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7afef0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7afef0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GNC\u2019s products are regularly screened by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerlab.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ConsumerLab.com<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This program involves verification of parameters such as: nutrition\/supplement facts panel, lack of heavy metal contamination, \u201cFree from\u201d and \u201cNo\u201d claims, etc. and is another way that GNC\u2019s products are being monitored for purity and quality by third parties.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f617ac1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f617ac1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8b31a1\" data-id=\"e8b31a1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d45c00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d45c00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Shop: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/shop-goal-condition\/banned-substance-tested\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Banned Substance Tested Products<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a814356 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a814356\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-518c44d\" data-id=\"518c44d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1600338 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1600338\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many of GNC\u2019s products bear the Informed Choice certification logo. This rigorous testing program is another level of reassurance as to the purity of our products. This program includes a thorough product and manufacturing review, which involves: quality systems and audits, staff training, raw material review, raw material supplier assessment, and traceability &amp; recall procedures.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8426a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8426a9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e82b63a\" data-id=\"e82b63a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f70e6d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f70e6d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW161457519 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW161457519 BCX0\"><strong>Read More<\/strong>: <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW161457519 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/protein\/the-gnc-protein-difference-quality-purity-results-you-can-trust.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW161457519 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW161457519 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">The GNC Protein Difference: Quality, Purity, &amp; Results You Can Trust | GNC<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP SCXW161457519 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-707afaa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"707afaa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3acb077\" data-id=\"3acb077\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0202910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0202910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tips for Choosing a Protein Powder That\u2019s Lower in Heavy Metals <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ac71d88 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ac71d88\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57b130a\" data-id=\"57b130a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c69dfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c69dfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Look for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/shop-goal-condition\/banned-substance-tested\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">third-party testing<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, such as Informed Choice, NSF, and Consumer Labs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choose a dairy-based protein powder, which tends to have lower levels of heavy metals compared to plant-based protein powders\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep an eye on flavor. Cocoa, the common ingredient in chocolate, tends to have more lead than flavors like vanilla.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> \u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Avoid products with California\u2019s Prop 65 warning. While the level of lead and heavy metals that trigger this warning are extremely low, it is one way to weed out products if you\u2019re concerned about it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd264de elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd264de\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-602e709\" data-id=\"602e709\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d58fca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d58fca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\">A recent article by Consumer Reports has been in the headlines about protein supplements testing high for lead. While this may seem concerning, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\">it\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> really nothing to be worried about. Lead is found in the foods we eat every <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW230277585 BCX0\">day<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> and the amounts found in nearly all of the products are considered acceptable by various health organizations. GNC\u2019s commitment to quality ensures that<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> ingredients<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> in GNC branded products<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW230277585 BCX0\"> are tested for heavy metals, so you can ensure what you\u2019re putting into your body is safe.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW230277585 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72cee79 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72cee79\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e6a1c9\" data-id=\"9e6a1c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bfe339 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8bfe339\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/protein\/protein-powder\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Shop GNC's Trusted, Quality Protein Powders and Shakes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f44673 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4f44673\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9184bfc\" data-id=\"9184bfc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f21cc93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f21cc93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8213a04 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8213a04\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-866790e\" data-id=\"866790e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b33cf0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3b33cf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text 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100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d574088 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d574088\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-99134f3\" data-id=\"99134f3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-735b00d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"735b00d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">References<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0831271 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0831271\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ff827f4\" data-id=\"ff827f4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0271d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0271d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brenna M. Flannery, Karlyn B. Middleton. Updated interim reference levels for dietary lead to support FDA&#8217;s Closer to Zero action plan. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Volume 133, 202. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.yrtph.2022.105202\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.yrtph.2022.105202<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dolan LC, Flannery BM, et al. A review of the evidence to support interim reference level for dietary lead exposure in adults. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020 Mar;111:104579. doi: 10.1016\/j.yrtph.2020.104579. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31945454.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">United States Pharmacopeia. Section: Elemental Impurities Limit. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usp.org\/sites\/default\/files\/usp\/document\/our-work\/chemical-medicines\/key-issues\/c232-usp-39.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">c232-usp-39.pdf<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oehha.ca.gov\/proposition-65\/general-info\/proposition-65-no-significant-risk-levels-nsrls-and-maximum-allowable-dose-levels-madls\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs) &#8211; OEHHA<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/2346388\/nutrients\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Lettuce, iceberg, raw &#8211; Nutrients &#8211; Foundation | USDA FoodData Central<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bandara SB, Towle KM, Monnot AD. A human health risk assessment of heavy metal ingestion among consumers of protein powder supplements. Toxicol Rep. 2020 Aug 21;7:1255-1262. doi: 10.1016\/j.toxrep.2020.08.001. PMID: 33005567; PMCID: PMC7509468.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hadayat N, De Oliveira LM, Da Silva E, Han L, Hussain M, Liu X, Ma LQ. Assessment of trace metals in five most-consumed vegetables in the US: Conventional vs. organic. Environ Pollut. 2018 Dec;243(Pt A):292-300. doi: 10.1016\/j.envpol.2018.08.065. Epub 2018 Aug 27. PMID: 30193223.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/environmental-contaminants-food\/cadmium-food-and-foodwares\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cadmium in Food and Foodwares | FDA<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling September 2013. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/86074\/download?attachment\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">download<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW84007794 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW84007794 BCX0\">NSF\/ANSI 173 Dietary Supplements Product Certification Standard. <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW84007794 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.ymaws.com\/www.acil.org\/resource\/resmgr\/annual_meeting\/2022\/presentations\/ACIL_NSF_173_2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW84007794 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW84007794 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">PowerPoint<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW84007794 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"> Presentation<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP SCXW84007794 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ed92d9b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ed92d9b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-71e7ecb\" data-id=\"71e7ecb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7538d29 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7538d29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-89bca66 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"89bca66\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ec7aca2\" data-id=\"ec7aca2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b27f6f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b27f6f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"margin: 0in;\"><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; 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