Costco sued over protein powder containing dangerous heavy metals

A class‑action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington accuses Costco of selling Orgain Organic Plant‑Based Protein Powder that contains harmful levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium. Seven plaintiffs claim the retailer misrepresented the product as a “good, clean fuel” while failing to disclose the contaminants, seeking punitive damages and consumer warnings.

The complaint cites independent testing by the Clean Label Project and Consumer Reports, which found Orgain’s vanilla‑bean flavor exceeded California’s Proposition 65 lead limit by more than 600 % and contained lead at 143 % of the level of concern. Orgain maintains its products meet safety standards, while health agencies warn there is no known safe exposure level for these metals. Costco and Orgain have not commented on the filing.