Micronutrients & recovery
Commercially available protein powders in the Hungarian market do not contain significant heavy metal contamination (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic) above regulatory safety limits.
If you buy protein powder from a reputable retailer in a regulated market (like the EU or USA), you do not need to worry about dangerous levels of heavy metals like lead or mercury. The products tested in this study were safe. However, because regulation is often voluntary, buying from unknown sources or unregulated 'grey markets' carries a higher risk of contamination.
Neither LIBS nor ICP-MS measurements detected significant heavy metal content in the investigated samples above the limit specified in the regulations.
Why this rating
The study uses rigorous analytical methods (ICP-MS and LIBS) on a representative sample (n=22) of commercially available products, providing high-confidence negative findings for the specific market tested.
Source
Analysis of heavy metal content in protein powders available on the Hungarian market: a reassuring snapshot, but not a reassuring quality guarantee
István László Horváth et al. · Journal of Nutritional Science · 2025
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →