Costco Orgain Protein Powder: Costco Is Being Sued Over Orgain Protein Powder — Here’s What Shoppers Need to Know
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A federal lawsuit is putting one of Costco’s most popular supplement products under serious scrutiny, and if you have a tub of Orgain protein powder sitting in your pantry, you probably want to read this.
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Seven consumers have filed an 87-page complaint in federal court in Washington, alleging that Costco’s Orgain protein powder contains undisclosed heavy metals, specifically lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The plaintiffs claim they never would have bought the product, or would have paid significantly less for it, had they known about the alleged contamination.
What the lawsuit actually claims
The core of the complaint is not just that harmful substances may be present, but that Costco failed to disclose them, which the plaintiffs argue violates consumer protection laws.
The lawsuit points to testing conducted by Consumer Reports that raised concerns about lead levels in at least one of Orgain’s protein powder products. According to the complaint, ordinary shoppers had no realistic way of detecting the issue on their own, since identifying heavy metal contamination requires specialized laboratory equipment. The filing states plainly that “reasonable consumers, like plaintiffs, could not learn of the inclusion of heavy metals” without that kind of testing.
Cadmium and arsenic, alongside lead, are the three metals named in the suit. All three are considered toxic at elevated levels, and long-term exposure to any of them carries documented health risks, including kidney damage, neurological effects, and increased cancer risk.
Why this keeps coming up with protein powders
This is not the first time protein powder products have faced scrutiny over heavy metal contamination. Plant-based protein powders, in particular, have been flagged repeatedly over the years because ingredients like pea protein, rice protein, and cacao are often grown in soil that naturally contains trace metals, which can concentrate during processing.
Orgain markets itself as a clean, organic option, which is a large part of its appeal and its price point. That positioning makes the allegations especially significant for consumers who specifically chose the brand believing it to be a safer or more transparent choice.
What shoppers should do right now
Costco has not publicly responded to the lawsuit in detail, and the case has not been resolved. No recall has been issued at this stage.
If you currently use Orgain protein powder purchased from Costco, the cautious move is to check which specific product you have, since the allegations center on particular formulations. The Consumer Reports testing that prompted the lawsuit is publicly available and worth reviewing directly. If you have health concerns, speaking with a doctor before continuing use is a reasonable step.
The lawsuit is ongoing, and until a court weighs in or independent testing produces a fuller picture, the contamination claims remain allegations. But given the health stakes involved, this is one case worth watching closely.
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