daveray

Hello fellow vegans, I subscribe to Consumer Lab (CL), a 3rd party organization that tests herbs/supplements/vitamins to ensure that they contain what they claim. On 5/4/10 CL posted their test results of a variety of protein powders. Included in that test was Nutribiotic Rice Protein, Vanilla Flavor. The powder was rated as "not approved" because they found "6 to 18 mcg of lead per daily serving (in 1 to 3 scoops)." I used to use this protein powder, as I'm sure many of you do, too. I actually quit it in 2009 (after I ran out) because I noticed in 2008 that the ingredients label had changed and that the rice was no longer from California. I actually contacted the company in late 2008 and asked where the rice was now coming from. I was told: "The majority of our raw materials come from a grower in California, however, we may at times use raw materials from Pakistan, India, or China." This was during or shortly after some of the melamine scare that was going on, so I decided to play it safe and didn't buy any after that. CL, by the way, did not find melamine or any other contaminants in the powder besides the lead. On another note, Metagenics® UltraMeal® Rice Natural Chocolate Flavor, a product with which I am unfamiliar, was also "not approved", again for lead contamination ("Found 5.9 mcg of lead per daily serving"). Last, Nature's Plus® Spiru-Tein Vanilla, which I am also unfamiliar with, was also "not approved." However, in this case it was because the product had more sugar/carbs than the label stated. So 3 of the 4 rice proteins they tested had issues. Bummer. I hope that isn't indicative of the rice protein industry in general. At any rate, lead intake should obviously be minimized, so buyer beware. I have been lurking here for years and have never posted, but I couldn't let this news slip by. Thanks to all of you for the info, inspiration, and amusement you have provided me during that time! Dave