If there’s one thing dominating the conversation in food, it’s protein.
With more people prioritizing their health, the demand for high-quality protein has skyrocketed. But here’s the catch: not all protein powders are created equal. Recent reports have uncovered a concerning truth—nearly all contain hidden contaminants, including heavy metals, that most consumers know nothing about.
The Problem with Protein Powders
Over the past six months, awareness around heavy metal contamination in food has surged, fueled by advocacy groups, social media, and regulatory shifts. While these metals can occur naturally in soil, the levels found in many protein powders raise serious concerns.
A recent study by Clean Label Project—one of our go-to sources for truth in labeling—found that nearly half of protein powders tested exceeded Prop 65 limits for heavy metals. That means many popular options on the market may contain unsafe levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
At Hive, safety isn’t optional. We go beyond Prop 65 standards, only recommending brands that meet the highest standards for purity, sustainability, and performance.
How we evaluate protein powder
Everything at Hive is vetted or created using our Hive Five criteria. For protein powders, this means we look for:
Clean Ingredients: No harmful chemicals, artificial sweeteners, fillers, or additives. Any animal or plant-based proteins must be sourced or raised responsibly. We prioritize non-GMO, organic and/or regeneratively grown.
Responsible Production: Tested for contaminants, and exceed action levels set by the EU, FDA, and State legislators (specifically Prop 65 for heavy metals). Transparency and fair sourcing are required, and lower carbon practices are preferred.
Taste & Performance: High-quality protein sources (complete proteins, plant-based options, bioavailability).Products must taste good and work well for their intended use.
Clean Packaging: We prioritize sustainable packaging, or at minimum curb side recyclable packaging.
Leading change: Doing the work to create a better future for our food systems, people and the planet.
The Hive Five-Certified Pick: Ancient Nutrition
If you’re looking for a clean, high-quality protein powder, Ancient Nutrition is the standout choice. It checks every box when it comes to safety, sustainability, and satisfaction.
Why We Love It:
✅ High-quality protein that blends smoothly into smoothies or coffee, with options that provide 20g of pure protein per serving.
✅ Rigorous purity testing—independently verified to exceed Prop 65 standards for heavy metals.
✅ Sustainably sourced non-GMO, hormone-free animal proteins.
✅ No chemicals or artificials—just clean, natural ingredients.
✅ Eco-friendly packaging—widely recyclable HDPE #2 bottles, which are also less likely to shed microplastics.
✅ Commitment to regenerative agriculture and responsible animal husbandry, ensuring better sourcing from start to finish.
The Perfect Pair: Ancient Nutrition + Love Grown Coffee
Start your day right with a clean, protein-packed boost—I love blending Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder into my Love Grown Whole Bean Medium Roast Coffee. It’s a simple way to fuel my body and mind while avoiding hidden toxins in conventional protein powders and coffee brands.
Because better products make better mornings—and a better you.
