Huel Class Action: Protein Powder Allegedly Contains Unsafe Levels of Lead and Cadmium

Case Overview: The lawsuit claims Huel’s Black Edition protein powder contains undisclosed heavy metals at unsafe levels.

Consumers Affected: U.S. buyers who purchased Huel Black Edition powder believing it to be safe and nutritionally balanced.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Supplement company Huel is selling its “Black Edition” high-protein meal powder while concealing dangerous levels of lead and cadmium, heavy metals linked to serious health risks, a new lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit alleges that Huel, which markets its products as clean, balanced, and nutritionally complete, misled consumers by advertising its powder as safe and healthy while failing to disclose the presence of contaminants known to cause neurological, developmental, and reproductive harm.

Plaintiff Alleges Huel Misled Customers About Product Safety

The case was filed by Derrick Riley, a longtime Huel customer from California who says he purchased the powder dozens of times, believing it to be a high-quality meal alternative. 

He claims Huel’s marketing, emphasizing safety, quality controls, and compliance with dietary standards, led him to trust that the product was free from harmful ingredients.

Riley alleges that he and other consumers paid a premium for a product that was far from what was promised. Had he known about the contamination, the lawsuit says, he would have avoided purchasing the powder altogether or paid much less.

Testing Reportedly Found Lead and Cadmium at Dangerous Levels

The complaint points to testing reported by Consumer Reports, which found that a single serving of Huel’s Black Edition powder contained 6.3 micrograms of lead, roughly 1,290% of the organization’s recommended daily limit, and 9.2 micrograms of cadmium, more than double what experts consider safe.

Health authorities including the CDC and WHO agree that no level of lead exposure is safe. Even small amounts can cause irreversible harm to the brain, heart, and kidneys, with risks especially severe for children and pregnant people.

Despite this, the lawsuit alleges, Huel’s packaging and online materials make no mention of heavy metal content. Instead, the company touts its safety standards and testing procedures, giving consumers the impression that its products are rigorously vetted and free from contamination. 

The lawsuit claims these omissions deprived customers of the ability to make informed decisions and caused them financial harm by overpaying for products that may be unsafe.

Other Supplement Brands Face Similar Contamination Allegations

Huel isn’t the only brand under scrutiny for alleged contamination. Plant-based protein maker OWYN faces similar claims that its products contain lead above California’s daily exposure limit despite “clean label” marketing. 

Other recent lawsuits have targeted Vital Amine for overstating protein content and Amazon for selling rice tainted with toxic metals.

In his lawsuit, Riley hopes to represent a nationwide class of consumers who bought Huel’s Black Edition powder. The lawsuit seeks damages, refunds, and court orders requiring Huel to disclose the presence of heavy metals and improve safety testing.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Riley v. Huel Inc.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-05783 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Raphael Janove (JANOVE PLLC)

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