Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the company of selling protein powder allegedly laced with toxic heavy metals and misleading consumers about its quality.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court for the Western District of Washington, claims that Amazon deceptively marketed Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder by failing to disclose significant levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead. According to the suit, Amazon violated state consumer protection laws, alleging the company knew or should have known about the toxic metal content, which can lead to serious adverse health effects.
The complaint cites an investigation by the Clean Label Project and Consumer Reports, which found that Orgain's Vanilla Bean protein powder exceeded its stated "level of concern" for lead. Independent laboratory testing conducted by the law firm Hagens Berman also reportedly confirmed the presence of heavy metals in the products.
Despite the findings, Orgain has stated that its products are safe for daily use and are not subject to recalls. The products are currently available at major retailers, including Amazon, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon marketed Orgain's protein powders with descriptions such as "Cleaner Ingredients," "Quality Ingredients," "Higher Standards," "Non-GMO," "USDA ORGANIC," and "Feel Good Energy." The plaintiff, Dawn Cada of Florida, stated that she purchased multiple cases of the protein powder between 2022 and 2026 due to these marketing claims, believing the products were free from harmful contaminants.
Heavy metals can pose serious health risks, including cancers, liver, kidney, and brain damage, reproductive and skin disorders, and cardiovascular disease, according to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. There is no known safe level of exposure to these substances.
Costco is also facing similar litigation from the same law firm, Hagens Berman, over allegations of misleading consumers about the safety of Orgain protein powders. The lawsuit against Amazon seeks class-action status for affected consumers.