A report from the Clear Label Undertaking (CLP) claims protein powders comprise excessive ranges of heavy metallic contamination, significantly lead and cadmium.
Within the report, CLP says it examined 160 merchandise from 70 top-selling manufacturers, discovering 47 p.c of the merchandise exceeded California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) security thresholds for poisonous metals. The report states there have been thrice the lead quantity and twice the cadmium quantity.
CLP says it carried out greater than 35,000 checks on contaminants together with lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and bisphenols.
“This examine serves as a wake-up name for shoppers, producers, retailers and regulators alike. With a scarcity of complete federal laws particularly addressing heavy metals in dietary dietary supplements, it’s important that the business independently takes proactive measures,” CLP stated within the report. “Clear Label Undertaking’s findings name for a brand new stage of transparency and stricter security requirements to guard shoppers from long-term publicity to those contaminants.”
The Council for Accountable Vitamin (CRN) and Pure Merchandise Affiliation (NPA) responded to the examine, calling it inaccurate and deceptive.
NPA stated the “examine” falsely claims there’s a “vital pretense of contaminants in some merchandise and that it might submit a critical security risk to shoppers.” NPA stated the group denied requests from the affiliation to reveal the methodology and information used within the examine. NPA additionally referred to as out CNN, for its reporting and for failing to contact NPA.
“The Clear Label Undertaking is filled with it, and it’s a disgrace that nobody at CNN did primary reporting by neither asking for the methodology for this sham of a examine nor contacted the NPA for evaluation and remark. As an alternative, CNN blindly reported what the Clear Label Undertaking advised them with out verifying,” stated Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of NPA. “In 2020, they pulled the very same stunt attacking collagen dietary supplements, however this so-called examine is nothing however sizzling air. After we requested them to reveal its funders and the complete methodology of the collagen examine, they did not respond and as an alternative hid from the reality. Once more, we’re demanding that they disclose this so-called examine’s methodology as an alternative of peddling misinformation and benefiting from referred merchandise to on-line retailers listed on its web site.”
Dr. Andrea Wong, senior vp, scientific & regulatory affairs at CRN, additionally responded to the examine, stating:
“The Council for Accountable Vitamin helps efforts to make sure the security and high quality of dietary dietary supplements, together with protein powders. Nonetheless, as we’ve famous previously, experiences like these issued by the Clear Label Undertaking usually lack important context and threat deceptive shoppers relatively than empowering them.
First, you will need to emphasize that the detection of contaminants, as highlighted on this report, doesn’t inherently equate to a well being threat. Trendy analytical methods can detect even hint ranges of naturally occurring parts, akin to heavy metals, that are current in soil, air, and water. These hint ranges are sometimes nicely beneath established security thresholds set by federal companies just like the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Safety Company (EPA).
California Proposition 65, continuously referenced in CLP’s findings, imposes limits which might be uniquely stringent and never aligned with federal pointers. For instance, it imposes a 1,000-fold security issue beneath the extent at which no dangerous results have been noticed, and it requires labeling of merchandise over that quantity, not a ban on them. Whereas CLP’s intentions to guard shoppers are commendable, the shortage of harmonization with FDA or EPA requirements can lead to pointless shopper alarm. CRN has constantly advocated for science-based federal requirements that steadiness shopper security with practicality and consistency throughout all states. Federal companies regulate the manufacturing of meals and dietary dietary supplements, together with testing and monitoring protocols for heavy metals.
The report’s methodology additionally warrants scrutiny. CLP has not supplied ample transparency concerning how merchandise have been chosen, the factors for contamination thresholds, or the interpretive framework for his or her findings. With out such readability, shoppers and business stakeholders can not absolutely consider the validity of the claims. CRN urges CLP to publish its findings in peer-reviewed journals and supply suggestions grounded in scientific proof.
Lastly, as we transfer towards guaranteeing security and transparency, we should encourage a unified regulatory method that upholds cheap, evidence-based requirements. Aligning state initiatives like Proposition 65 with federal pointers would cut back confusion for shoppers and producers whereas sustaining public security. CRN and its members stay dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders to advertise rigorous, clear, and uniform security requirements throughout the dietary complement business.”
To learn the complete report, go to https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/CleanLabelProject_ProteinStudyWhitepaper_010625.pdf.
