Costco sued over Orgain protein powder heavy metal claims
Costco faces a federal class-action lawsuit alleging Orgain protein powder sold in its warehouses contains dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Seven shoppers claim the retailer marketed plant-based varieties as clean nutrition while failing to warn consumers about heavy-metal contamination flagged by independent labs and Consumer Reports.
The complaint, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, adds to growing scrutiny of supplement safety at a time when shoppers increasingly track what goes into wellness products. For Costco members who rely on bulk deals for daily nutrition, the allegations raise immediate questions about trust and transparency.
Key Takeaways
- Seven plaintiffs allege Costco sold Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder with undisclosed lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
- Testing cited in the suit found Vanilla Bean lead levels exceeding California Proposition 65 limits by more than 600%.
- Consumer Reports flagged the same flavor at 143% of its level of concern in October 2025 testing.
- Plaintiffs seek damages and an order requiring disclosure before further sales.
- Orgain said its products are safe and comply with applicable food safety standards.
What does the Costco lawsuit allege about Orgain protein powder?
According to Fox Business, consumers accuse Costco of marketing Orgain powders as providing good, clean nutrition while knowing they contained toxic heavy metals. Attorneys at Hagens Berman say health-conscious shoppers unknowingly ingested alarming levels of contaminants while trusting Costco quality assurance.
The Seattle Times reports plaintiffs allege Costco violated Washington Consumer Protection Act by excluding warnings about heavy metals. The suit claims regular exposure to lead, arsenic, and cadmium is linked to cognitive, reproductive, and other health risks, citing FDA guidance that there is no known safe level of lead exposure.
Which Orgain products are named in the complaint?
The lawsuit centers on Orgain Vanilla Bean and Creamy Chocolate Fudge plant-based protein powders sold in Costco warehouses and online. Both are organic formulas promoted with claims about quality ingredients and higher standards.
Plaintiffs argue Costco, as a major retailer with sophisticated supply-chain controls, knew or should have known about contamination yet continued sales without adequate disclosure.
What did independent testing find?
Court filings cite plaintiff-commissioned lab results showing Orgain Vanilla Bean flavor exceeded California Proposition 65 lead thresholds by more than 600%. The complaint also references 2025 reports from the Clean Label Project and Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports found the organic vanilla bean version at 143% of its level of concern during October 2025 testing. The publication classified it as okay to eat occasionally and recommended limiting intake to roughly four servings per week.
How have Costco and Orgain responded?
As of reporting, Costco had not issued a public response to the allegations. Plaintiffs are seeking financial relief for deceptive conduct and injunctive relief to halt sales without proper heavy-metal disclosures.
Orgain pushed back in a July 9 statement, telling USA Today its products are safe to consume and comply with food safety standards. The company noted trace environmental substances can appear in plant-based ingredients.
The case lands amid wider pressure on supplement makers. California lawmakers introduced a bill in February requiring mandatory heavy-metal testing and public disclosure for protein products, reflecting broader consumer wellness and safety debates over how testing shapes what shoppers buy.