Senator Padilla Introduces Legislation to Protect Consumers from Heavy Metals in Protein Products
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1033, a measure protecting consumers by holding the protein product industry accountable through required testing of heavy metal content and public disclosure of those results.
“Protein products can play a role in helping Californians meet their health and nutrition goals, but only if the products on store shelves are actually safe,” said Senator Padilla. “Consumers deserve to know what they are putting into their bodies, and right now there’s a troubling lack of transparency when it comes to toxic heavy metals. We need to put common-sense guardrails in place to hold manufacturers accountable, require proper testing, and ensure families can trust that the products they buy won’t put their health at risk.”
A study by Consumer Reports found that multiple protein products contain unsafe levels of heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Exposure to heavy metals can lead to neurological issues, immune suppression, reproductive harm, and other long-term health effects. Multiple studies and articles show there has been an increasing demand for protein fortified items, and that this rapid market expansion has occurred without regulatory oversight. CBS News reports that the demand for protein products has increased by 61% in just one year and the number of products in the market rose by 122% from 2020 to 2024. Over two-thirds of tested products contain unsafe amounts of lead with some containing over 10 times the amount considered safe.
Despite these risks, protein powders and protein beverages remain largely unregulated at the federal level. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness and there are not federal limits on the amount of heavy metals that can contaminate such products. Contamination often occurs when heavy metals are absorbed into plant-based ingredients during manufacturing or processing. Without transparency and standards, consumers are left unaware of the potential toxic exposure from the contaminants in their products.
SB 1033 requires manufacturers of protein products to test their products for heavy metals, disclose their findings, and prohibits the sale of any products that do not comply.
"Our tests have found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein powder is widespread and has gotten worse since we first analyzed these products 15 years ago,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “No one should have to worry that their protein shake could expose them to dangerous levels of lead and other heavy metal contaminants. This bill will help Californians make healthier buying decisions and create a strong incentive for protein powder manufacturers to get lead and other dangerous heavy metals out of their products. We commend Sen. Padilla for his great work on this bill."
“When a single scoop of protein powder can push someone past recommended limits for lead, it’s a clear sign the system is failing consumers, especially those who are pregnant, using protein products every day, or eating many servings to meet their fitness goals. Without routine testing and public disclosure, consumers have no way to assess their risk,” said Susan Little, Environmental Working Group’s California legislative director.
SB 1033 will be heard in the Senate in the coming months.
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Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/