Clean Label Contaminant Study, NSF DNA Authenticated: Health And Wellness Industry News

Plant-based protein sources the Clean Label Project LLC tested commonly have detectable levels of certain naturally occurring compounds because plants naturally absorb minerals from the soil, the Council for Responsible Nutrition says in response to findings from the advocacy group's recent study. The Natural Products Association is even more circumspect about the group, saying it has ties to corporate interests and profits from linking products it lists on its website to online retailers. Clean Label found nearly all the 134 power protein products it tested contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The group said it screened the powder products from 52 brands for more than 130 toxins with links to cancer and other health conditions and found 55% tested positive for bisphenol, 70% for lead and 74% for cadmium. It also provided data on organic formulations being safer than others and that egg-based protein products "tested cleaner" than plant-based.

NPA President and CEO Daniel Fabricant, in a March 1 statement, said Clean Label refused to release the methodology of...