Do pure protein brand bars contain lead

1. Historical test results show Pure/Pure‑branded bars once contained concerning lead levels

Independent testing dating back to at least 2017 flagged a product described as “Pure” among protein bars that exceeded California Proposition 65’s lead threshold in one serving; that lab study (reported by Fox Business) identified Pure (alongside other brands) as exceeding the 0.5 microgram daily benchmark in a single bar, demonstrating that at least some Pure‑branded bars have tested positive for problematic lead levels in the past ^[1].

2. Recent large surveys focus on powders and shakes, not specifically on Pure Protein bars

The major recent wave of testing and coverage from Consumer Reports and other outlets in 2025 centered on protein powders and ready‑to‑drink shakes—23 products tested for lead, arsenic, cadmium and other metals—finding widespread contamination among many popular products and highlighting plant‑based options as higher risk; those investigations reshaped the conversation about supplements but did not publish a comprehensive, brand‑by‑brand public list covering every bar product like Pure Protein’s current lineup, so the most influential recent dataset does not directly settle the question for Pure Protein bars specifically ^{[3] [4] [5]}.

3. Third‑party aggregators flag Pure Protein but their methods and recency vary

Independent ranking sites and databases that aggregate lab reports and vendor disclosures place Pure Protein in a mid‑risk category or note “moderate contamination” concerns, but these lists often mix older tests, extrapolate from related product lines, and can lack primary‑lab documentation; one such database explicitly warns that Pure Protein’s powder line was not tested and that bars/shakes were ranked based on limited evidence rather than repeated, lot‑by‑lot lab verification ^[2]. That caveat matters because heavy‑metal contamination can vary by ingredient lot, supplier, flavor, and manufacturing date.

4. Why testing varies and why certainty is elusive

Lead in protein supplements commonly comes from contaminated soil or feed that transfers into plant or animal ingredients, and levels can vary by source, flavor (chocolate has been identified elsewhere as a frequent vector), and processing controls; Consumer Reports’ work shows that some brands can keep levels low, proving contamination is avoidable, but also shows variability across lots and products, leaving brand‑level, current assurance dependent on repeated, transparent third‑party testing or published certificates of analysis ^{[3] [6] [7]}.

5. What the available evidence supports about Pure Protein today

Given the 2017 lab result naming “Pure” as a product that exceeded Prop 65 limits ^[1], plus contemporary aggregator flags ^[2], the prudent reading is that Pure/Pure‑branded bars have in the past contained lead at concerning levels; however, there is no single recent, authoritative public test (e.g., Consumer Reports 2025 list or equivalent repeated lot testing) that confirms current, across‑the‑board levels for the brand’s present formulations, so claims that Pure Protein bars categorically do or do not contain lead cannot be fully substantiated from the sources provided ^{[3] [2] [1]}.

6. Practical conclusion and what consumers (or reporters) should demand

The combination of historical positive tests and the absence of transparent, current third‑party COAs for every Pure Protein bar variety means the responsible conclusion is caution: past tests show lead was present ^[1], but contemporary risk for a specific product or lot requires current testing data; consumers should seek brands that publish independent lab results, request certificates of analysis, or choose products explicitly tested by NSF, Clean Label Project, or Consumer Reports, and journalists should press companies for lot‑level testing and for the FDA or Congress to set enforceable limits for heavy metals in supplements ^{[6] [5]}.