Protein Powder Lead Exposure Checker
Estimated daily exposure: 0 mcg
Enter a lead figure above to compare against the Prop 65 MADL (0.5 mcg/day).
This tool only does the math on the number you enter — it does not assess any specific product's safety and is not a medical diagnosis. The Prop 65 MADL is a California regulatory disclosure threshold, not a toxicity cliff. For your specific product or health situation, consult the manufacturer or a healthcare professional.
Enter a lead content figure you found on a lab report, product label, or recall notice (in micrograms per serving) to see how it compares to California's Prop 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Level for lead (0.5 mcg/day). Motivated by Consumer Reports' October 2025 testing of protein powders and shakes, which found many products exceeded California safety thresholds — this tool doesn't assert data about any specific brand; it only does the math on the number you enter.
How it works
- Enter the lead content per serving (in micrograms) from your product's lab report, label, or a recall notice
- Enter how many servings you have per day
- See your estimated daily lead exposure compared to California's Prop 65 MADL of 0.5 mcg/day, and how many servings it would take to reach that threshold
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool tell me if my product is dangerous?
No. It only compares a number you enter to a regulatory reference point (California's Prop 65 MADL). It is not a medical diagnosis, a safety certification, or a recommendation about any specific product.
What exactly is the Prop 65 MADL?
It's California's Maximum Allowable Dose Level for lead exposure without a warning label — 0.5 micrograms per day, set in 1989 for reproductive toxicity and upheld in more recent California court rulings. Exceeding it doesn't mean acute poisoning; it's a regulatory disclosure threshold, not a toxicity cliff.
Where do I find my product's lead content in micrograms?
Check a recent recall notice, a third-party lab test (some brands publish these), or a consumer investigation like Consumer Reports' October 2025 protein powder testing. If your label doesn't list a microgram figure, this calculator isn't usable for your product.
Why did Consumer Reports test protein powders for lead?
Their October 2025 investigation tested 23 protein powders and shakes and found many exceeded California safety thresholds for lead — some by a wide margin. We reference that investigation as context for why this tool exists, without repeating specific brand results here.
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Update history
- 2026-10-03 Added links to related tools.
- 2026-09-27 Launched: compares a user-entered lead content figure against California's Prop 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Level for lead (0.5 mcg/day) — motivated by Consumer Reports' October 2025 protein powder testing, but does not assert brand-specific data. Informational only, not a safety diagnosis.