EAS and CytoSport have issued remarkably similar statements on their sites regarding the issue of heavy metals being found in some of their protein supplements – something that I commented on earlier today.
From EAS we have this:
To our EAS Myoplex Original customers:
A recent Consumer Reports story (July 2010 issue) raised questions about the trace levels of cadmium and arsenic found in popular protein shakes including our Myoplex® Original Rich Dark Chocolate shakes. We want to assure you that there is no safety risk from the trace levels of cadmium and arsenic in Myoplex protein shakes.
Consumer Reports testing was based on consumption of three shakes per day and the testing applied proposed U.S. Pharmacopeia standards — not current, accepted or approved guidelines. Our recommended up to two servings of Myoplex daily, as stated on the label, is well below the current accepted standards and below the proposed U.S. Pharmacopeia limits.
Trace levels of these elements are naturally found in the environment and in many foods we eat daily (such as shellfish, potatoes, rice, and leafy greens). We conduct extensive testing to ensure the quality of our products. Each time the shakes have been tested for elements, such as arsenic and cadmium, the results are below the limit of all current, well-established safety standards.
You can continue to use Myoplex shakes with confidence. If you have questions about how much protein is appropriate for your needs, you should talk to your doctor or other health care professional.
And from CytoSport we have this:
“To Our CytoSport Muscle Milk Customers,
A recent Consumer Reports story raised questions about the trace levels of cadmium and lead found in popular protein shakes including CytoSport Muscle Milk Chocolate and Vanilla Créme powdered shakes. We want to assure you that there is no safety risk from the responsible use of CytoSport Muscle Milk protein shakes.
Consumer Reports testing was based on consumption of three shakes per day and the testing applied proposed U.S Pharmacopeia standards – not current, accepted or approved guidelines. Our recommended up to two servings of Muscle Milk daily, as stated on the label, is well below the current accepted standards and below the proposed U.S. Pharmacopeia limits.
Trace levels of these elements are naturally found in the environment and in many foods we eat daily (such as shellfish, potatoes, rice, and leafy greens). We conduct extensive testing to ensure the quality of our products. Each time the shakes have been tested for elements, such as cadmium and lead, the results are below the limit of all current, well-established safety standards.
You can continue to use Muscle Milk shakes with confidence. To calculate your estimated daily protein needs, please use the protein calculator by clicking on the image below (pop-up window). If you have questions about how much protein is appropriate for your needs, you should talk to your doctor or a licensed nutritionist.”
There’s obviously no coincidence behind the similarity of these statements, and whether that’s due to these companies discussing matters with each other or just having the same legal / PR advisors, I don’t know.
I do think, however, that they have a point. These companies have not asked you to take three servings a day – they recommend two. With two servings, they are not over the proposed limit by the US Pharmacopeia – and that is what it is: a proposed limit.
Still, this probably isn’t an issue that is going die that easily – I guess a lot of us are going to follow this with interest – and perhaps with the hope that manufacturers will do their absolute best to ensure that what they’re asking us to EAT is not contaminated with something that could put our health at serious risk.