By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-06 20:15:45 | Updated at 2026-08-06 21:47:06
1 hour ago
Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit accusing the retail giant of selling a popular organic protein powder that allegedly contains dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic and cadmium.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, claims Amazon misled shoppers by marketing Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder as a healthy, premium product while failing to disclose the alleged presence of contaminants.
It comes just weeks after Costco was hit with a near-identical lawsuit from the same law firm over sales of the very same protein powder, raising fresh questions over one of America's best-selling nutrition supplements.
The latest complaint alleges Amazon violated Washington state consumer protection laws by promoting Orgain protein powders with phrases including 'Cleaner Ingredients,' 'Quality Ingredients,' 'Higher Standards,' 'Feel Good Energy,' 'USDA Organic' and 'Non-GMO,' despite allegedly knowing - or having reason to know - that the products contained measurable amounts of heavy metals.
The lawsuit has been brought by Florida resident Dawn Cada, who says she purchased around 36 containers of Orgain protein powder from Amazon between 2022 and 2026 for herself and her family, including her child with severe special needs.
According to the complaint, she paid about $30 per container, believing the products were a safe, healthy nutritional supplement.
Amazon has not yet responded publicly to the allegations and the claims have not been proven in court.
Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit accusing the retail giant of selling a popular organic protein powder that allegedly contains dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals
Orgain also did not immediately respond to requests for comment following reports of the lawsuit.
The legal action relies heavily on findings from a 2025 Consumer Reports investigation, which found Orgain's Vanilla Bean protein powder exceeded the publication's 'level of concern' for lead.
According to the lawsuit, independent laboratory testing commissioned by plaintiffs' attorneys also detected lead, arsenic and cadmium in samples of the products.
Heavy metals occur naturally in soil and can enter plant-based foods through crops grown in contaminated ground. While trace amounts can be difficult to avoid, health experts warn that repeated exposure over time may increase health risks.
According to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no universally accepted safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children.
Long-term exposure to heavy metals has been linked to neurological damage, kidney and liver disease, reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
However, the protein powders at the center of the lawsuit have not been recalled and remain on sale through Amazon and other major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Costco.
Orgain has previously maintained that its products are safe for daily consumption despite the Consumer Reports findings.
The lawsuit claims Amazon misled shoppers by marketing Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder as a healthy product while failing to disclose the alleged presence of contaminants
It comes just weeks after Costco was hit with a near-identical lawsuit from the same law firm over sales of the very same protein powder
The Amazon lawsuit closely mirrors another proposed class action filed days earlier against Costco by the same Seattle-based law firm, Hagens Berman.
That complaint alleges Costco also failed to warn shoppers that Orgain Organic Protein Powder in Vanilla Bean and Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavors allegedly contained concerning levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium.
Seven consumers from six states are plaintiffs in the Costco case.
According to that lawsuit, one independently tested sample allegedly contained lead levels more than 600 percent above California's Safe Harbor threshold.
Attorney Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, said consumers were willing to pay premium prices because they believed the products were healthier than competing brands.
'Consumers nationwide trust Costco,' Berman said when announcing the earlier lawsuit. 'Based on our investigation and product testing, we believe Costco knew or should have known that its Orgain protein powder failed to live up to its promises of safety and quality.'
The Amazon complaint makes similar arguments, alleging shoppers specifically sought out Orgain because of its emphasis on clean, organic ingredients and quality standards.
Neither lawsuit alleges consumers became ill after using the protein powders. Instead, both claim customers paid more than they otherwise would have because they believed the products were free from harmful contaminants.
Protein powders occupy a unique regulatory space in the United States because dietary supplements are not routinely tested or approved by the FDA before reaching store shelves.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring products are safe and accurately labeled, while the FDA typically becomes involved only after products are already on the market.
The proposed lawsuits seek damages for consumers who purchased the protein powders, along with court orders requiring stronger disclosures about any heavy metal content.
At this stage, both lawsuits remain pending and no court has ruled on the allegations. Neither Amazon nor Costco has recalled the products, and Orgain continues to sell the protein powders through its own website and major retailers nationwide.
