Heavy Metals in Huel – What You Need to Know

Recent headlines about heavy metals in protein powders have caused concern, and Huel was one of the brands mentioned. Here’s what the science says about lead levels in Huel and why the data shows our products are safe and compliant with FDA and EU standards.

What Are Heavy Metals and Why Do They Appear in Food?

Heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, are naturally occurring elements found in soil and water. Because plants absorb minerals as they grow, trace amounts end up in virtually all plant-based foods, from oats and nuts to spinach, rice, and beans. 

We’re talking about amounts so small that they’re measured in parts per billion, or millionths of a gram. For example, a typical meal of sausage, potatoes, and vegetables can contain around 5 micrograms (µg) of lead, and most adults naturally consume 20–80 µg per day through everyday foods and water. These trace amounts are found everywhere, not just in powders or supplements, but in vegetables, grains, and other whole foods. 

So when a lab detects micrograms in a serving of Huel, that isn’t contamination. It’s simply how food grown in soil behaves. As Vox reported, the recent claims about lead levels in protein powders are “more scaremongering than science — not because there isn’t some lead found in these protein powders, but because Consumer Reports uses an almost impossibly low level of lead exposure as its baseline, which makes its findings seem much scarier than they really are.”

Understanding California’s Proposition 65 and How It Relates to Huel’s Safety Standards

To put that into perspective, let’s look at where much of the confusion began.

The report in question cites California’s Proposition 65, a state law that sets one of the most conservative thresholds for lead exposure in the world.

To create that limit, regulators took the lowest level ever associated with harm in humans and divided it by 1,000, creating a massive safety buffer. The result is a “safe harbor” level of 0.5 µg per day, about 1,000× lower than the level shown to cause harm.

It’s not a food safety limit. It’s a warning label designed to flag even theoretical exposures, including those that occur naturally in foods like spinach, rice, and nuts. 

As Vox explained, “California’s Prop 65… used a far higher 1,000× safety factor (1,000 times lower than minimal known unsafe levels) to arrive at 0.5 micrograms of lead per day as its reference level. This is an unachievable safety target, significantly below the lead you get from average daily food consumption.” One clinical dietitian told Vox: “You literally can’t eat food from the Earth if you want to achieve this.”

In contrast, most public health authorities, including the FDA, WHO, EFSA, and NSF International, set limits dozens or hundreds of times higher based on real-world evidence and modern toxicology.

How Huel Tests Its Products (for Heavy Metals and More)

Testing isn’t something we do in response to headlines. It’s something we’ve always done. Every year, we invest over $1 million in product testing using a range of independent ISO 17025 accredited laboratories covering every stage of production from raw materials and finished products.

The results for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury have been consistent: safe, stable, and well within global standards.

In 2025, Huel Black Edition was certified by NSF International, the gold standard for product safety and quality. That certification found no detectable lead above the 3.6 µg testing threshold, confirming that Huel meets some of the most stringent safety criteria in the world.

Vox also noted that Consumer Reports’ results were higher than independent NSF testing, which “showed that a serving of Huel Black came in under 3.6 micrograms.”

We continue to test ingredients, batches, and finished products to maintain complete oversight of our supply chain and ensure safety from start to finish.

The Facts at a Glance

Even using Consumer Reports’ own data, Huel remains well within every recognized food safety threshold worldwide. As Vox noted, “Compared to the FDA’s more realistic numbers, 6.3 micrograms is 71.6 percent of the reference level for women of childbearing age, meaning it’s safe even for at-risk individuals. For adult males, the risk is negligible.”

In short, Vox concluded, “No, your protein shakes are not giving you lead poisoning. And if you want to have them, that’s probably fine.” Read the full article, No, your protein powder isn’t poisoning you, on Vox.com.

Huel’s Commitment to Safe, Transparent Nutrition

We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t wait for others to tell us what’s important. Testing and transparency have always been part of our DNA.

We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done: testing frequently, sharing our data openly, and improving as science evolves. Your health and trust will always come first.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

Independent scientists and evidence-based health communicators have urged caution in how Consumer Reports’ findings are being interpreted.

“No, you don’t need to panic about lead in protein powder — certainly based on their information,” said Dr. Andrea Love, Immunologist and Science Communicator. “The lead levels Consumer Reports published are not above safety guidance for food items, dietary supplements, or daily intake levels.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a leading industry trade association, echoed that sentiment:

“The mere detection of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic does not equate to a health hazard. Modern testing methods are extraordinarily sensitive and capable of identifying trace amounts of naturally occurring elements found broadly in soil, water, and plants.”

Dr. Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Natural Products Association (NPA) — another industry representative group — agreed.  

“Base public health decisions on data, not drama. If any product exceeds safe limits, fix it. But let’s stop pretending that detecting parts per billion of naturally occurring elements reveals a public health emergency,” he said in an interview with WholeFoods Magazine.

Dr.Idz, member of Huel's expert-led Science Advisory Board, explains protein powders and heavy metals.

Huel Testing FAQs

Is Huel tested for heavy metals?

Yes. Every Huel product is tested by independent, accredited labs in the UK and U.S. for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.

Why would heavy metals appear in plant-based foods?

Because plants naturally absorb minerals from soil as they grow. These trace elements appear in all foods grown in soil, from oats to spinach.

How do Huel’s results compare to global standards?

Lead levels in Huel Black Edition (1.5–2.2 µg per serving) are consistent with what’s found in everyday meals and meet all international safety benchmarks.

So, is Huel safe?

Yes. Independent testing confirms that lead and other trace minerals in Huel are far below global safety thresholds, including FDA, NSF, and EU/UK limits. Every batch is tested by accredited labs to ensure full compliance and transparency.

Should long-term users be worried?

No. Scientific evidence and real-world data show that Huel’s trace mineral levels are safe for daily consumption.

What is California’s Proposition 65?

It’s a California state law with an extremely conservative threshold for certain elements. For lead, that limit (0.5 µg/day) is roughly 1,000× lower than levels shown to cause harm.

Will Huel share test data?

Yes. We’re committed to transparency and will continue to publish verified results and certifications, including our NSF reports.