Heavy Metal Safety

Beyond Compliance

Next-Level Heavy Metal Transparency in Plant Protein

Your customers expect clean labels. We help you deliver them with data-backed control over lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in every PURIS pea protein ingredient.

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Is the problem the protein or the system?

Protein powders have become synonymous with heavy metal contamination. Headlines, lawsuits, and third-party reports have trained consumers and brands to assume the problem lies with the protein itself.

But 3rd party testing data reveals a different story. Heavy metal levels vary dramatically across products using the same protein sources — suggesting the root cause often isn’t protein, but the broader formulation system. 

In reality, heavy metals can enter through many pathways – flavor systems, mineral blends, colorant, and macro ingredients (including protein). Solving the problem, therefore, requires building transparent, traceable, end-to-end ingredient systems. PURIS has designed an ingredient system that makes clean products possible. 

 

See for yourself

Download the free PURIS Prop 65 Finished Product Calculator or reach out to request a sample.

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Results
You Can
Trust

Clean Protein
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How Clean is Your Protein?

Protein makes up 90%, or more, of the typical nutrition powder, so the journey to clean products starts here. Not all plant proteins are created equal. Plants, including peas naturally absorb minerals from the soil including heavy metals like lead and cadmium. That’s why PURIS doesn’t just test the end product. We can actively manage heavy metals at every step: 

  • Field-level sourcing from low-contaminant regions 
  • Annual testing of raw peas and finished ingredients 
  • Proprietary processing that reduces lead and arsenic levels 
  • Batch-level data to support your compliance and marketing claims 

Our most advanced programs deliver protein with lead levels as low as 0.008 ppm — well below Prop 65’s 0.025 ppm threshold for a 20g protein serving. Cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are similarly controlled. And we’re constantly improving. 

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Lead
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Getting Questions About Lead? We’ve Got Answers.

Your customers are reading the headlines. So are regulators. From Consumer Reports to Prop 65 notices, heavy metals in protein are under the microscope and brands are being asked to prove their products are safe. 

At PURIS, we’ve spent years preparing for this moment. Our vertically integrated supply chain gives us unique control over heavy metals: from the soil our peas grow in, to the protein that ends up in your product. Whether you’re formulating high protein beverages, toddler nutrition, or organic cereals, we partner with you to stay ahead of the questions and the regulations.  

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Prop 65
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Will You Pass Prop 65?

California’s Prop 65 sets some of the strictest limits in the world and it’s not just about what’s in your protein. It’s about what’s in your final product. That’s why we help you start clean. 

PURIS ingredients are tested to meet or exceed FDA and EU standards. And when you need to go even further — for Prop 65 and sensitive categories like toddler nutrition or premium wellness — we offer solutions that align with the tightest customer specs in the industry. 

We’ll work with you to identify the right ingredient for your formulation and your risk profile. 

Download Our Prop 65 Calculator
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Data
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Need the Data? 

We’ve Got It.

We don’t just say our protein is clean, we prove it. PURIS routinely tests for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury and has a long track record of doing so. We can provide: 

  • Annual monitoring through our top-notch Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Programs 
  • Certificates of Analysis for every batch 
  • Historical data to support your compliance documentation 
  • Technical support for exposure assessments and regulatory reviews 

Our partners, from global brands to emerging startups, rely on PURIS to help them navigate evolving regulations and rising consumer expectations. We’re here to help you do the same. 

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Why Puris?

The only real way to control heavy metals in plant‑based ingredients is to control the entire supply chain. With that level of visibility and identity preservation, we can prevent contamination rather than test for it after the fact. This closed‑loop model lets PURIS deliver cleaner, more consistent plant‑based solutions and give leading health and wellness brands the confidence they can’t get from fragmented global supply chains.

Learn More

Heavy Metals FAQ

What are heavy metals?

 Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are naturally occurring elements found in soil, water, and air.  

Are heavy metals coming from plant protein?

 Not necessarily. In many finished products, protein is not the primary source of heavy metals. Trace metals can come from multiple ingredients in a formula, and protein is often one of the most controlled components. 

Is pea protein uniquely risky compared to other ingredients?

 No. Heavy metals are naturally present in many everyday foods, including cocoa, grains, vegetables, and spices. Pea protein is not inherently riskier than other common food ingredients. In many formulations, lower-inclusion ingredients (like flavors or cocoa) can contribute to a disproportionate share of heavy metals relative to their use level. 

Why do some products with the same protein test differently?

 Because finished product results depend on the full ingredient system, not just the protein. Flavors, cocoa, mineral blends, botanicals, and other inclusions can significantly influence total heavy metal exposure. 

Why do chocolate products get more scrutiny than vanilla?

 Chocolate formulations often include cocoa powder and chocolate flavors, which are known contributors to lead and cadmium. These ingredients frequently drive exposure levels more than protein. 

If heavy metals are naturally occurring, why do levels vary so much?

 Levels vary due to geography, soil conditions, agricultural practices, and ingredient sourcing. That variability exists across many crops and ingredients, not just protein. 

How does PURIS approach heavy metals differently?

 PURIS focuses on system level control, from field sourcing to ingredient testing, so protein starts clean and predictable, helping reduce overall formulation risk. 

How does PURIS support brands navigating Prop 65?

 PURIS provides ingredient data, historical context, and technical support to help brands assess finished-product exposure and make informed formulation decisions. 

What’s the most effective way to manage heavy metal risk?

 Start clean, use data-backed ingredients, understand variability, and evaluate total dietary exposure across the full formulation. 

Does PURIS test for heavy metals?

 Yes. PURIS routinely tests for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury using accredited third‑party laboratories. 

Build Prop 65 Confidence Into Every Finished Product

Let’s talk about how PURIS can help you meet your safety goals, and your customers’ expectations. Reach out to request a sample, a spec sheet, or download our heavy metals one pager here.