The plaintiffs are seeking to hold the warehouse retailer accountable for marketing the protein powders as safe and healthy despite the alleged presence of the contaminants.<\/p>\n
COSTCO QUIETLY DISCONTINUES AWARD-WINNING KIRKLAND ITEM FANS CALL ‘ONE OF THE BEST’ IN THE MARKET<\/a><\/p>\n Costco has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that one of the products it sells contains “dangerous” levels of heavy metals. (Lindsey Nicholson\/UCG\/Universal Images Group, File \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n “Many consumers who buy and use protein powder do so routinely as part of a continuing focus on their fitness and health,” Steve Berman, managing partner and co-founder of law firm Hagens Berman, said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “These same health-conscious consumers have unknowingly ingested alarming levels of toxic heavy metals \u2014 lead, cadmium and arsenic \u2014 again and again, trusting that Costco\u2019s quality assurance<\/a> would not allow something like this to happen.”<\/p>\n Orgain pushed back on the allegations, saying its products are safe to consume.<\/p>\n “Orgain products are safe to consume,” the company said in a July 9 statement provided<\/a> to USA Today. “While trace amounts of substances that occur in the environment can be present in plant-based ingredients, our products comply with applicable food safety standards and guidance. We stand behind the safety and quality of our products.”<\/p>\n Costco sells at least four Orgain product lines on its website. The retailer’s protein powder listings include a disclaimer stating, “Product details have been supplied by the manufacturer and are hosted by a third party.”<\/p>\n SURPRISE RIVAL KNOCKS COSTCO’S FAMOUS ROTISSERIE CHICKEN OFF ITS PERCH AS BEST BIRD<\/a><\/p>\n Costco has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its Orgain protein powders contain elevated levels of heavy metals, including lead, arsenic and cadmium. (\u00a0 \/ iStock)<\/p>\n According to the complaint, independent testing commissioned by the plaintiffs found that Orgain’s Vanilla Bean flavor contained lead levels exceeding California’s Proposition 65 limits by more than 600%.<\/p>\n The allegations also cite separate 2025 reports from nonprofit organization Clean Label Project and Consumer Reports that identified elevated levels of heavy metals in certain protein powders.<\/p>\n Consumer Reports flagged Orgain’s Vanilla Bean flavor for containing lead at 143% of its level of concern. The publication classified the product as “okay to eat occasionally” but recommended limiting consumption<\/a> to roughly four servings per week.<\/p>\n The complaint further cited findings that plant-based protein powders, particularly organic varieties, contained higher levels of heavy metals compared with nonorganic and whey or beef-based counterparts.<\/p>\n COSTCO MAKES PAYMENT CHANGE THAT COULD SPEED UP CHECKOUT FOR MEMBERS<\/a><\/p>\n Orgain says its products are safe to consume. (iStock)<\/p>\n In response to the findings, California lawmakers introduced a bill im February requiring mandatory testing and public disclosure of heavy metals in protein products.<\/p>\n Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton<\/a> also announced in early June that the state had launched an industry-wide investigation into the manufacturers over related concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Consumer Reports tested 23 products and found that lead levels in plant-based protein powders were, on average, nine times higher than those made with dairy proteins such as whey and twice as high as beef-based products,” Paxton\u2019s office said in a June 8 statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ticker Security Last Change Change % COST<\/a> COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. 912.97 -40.16 According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is no known safe level of lead exposure.\u00a0<\/p>\n Studies suggest that the metal can accumulate in the body faster than it can be eliminated, meaning repeated exposure may increase health risks<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chronic lead exposure has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage and elevated blood pressure.<\/p>\n![\"Costco](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/costco-fl-employee.jpg\")
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