Do Athletic Greens Contain Heavy Metals? Unpacking the Truth

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports from independent third-party testers, many greens powders, including Athletic Greens (AG1), have been found to contain detectable levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. However, the crucial question is whether these levels pose a safety risk.

Quick Summary

Athletic Greens (AG1) acknowledges that trace amounts of heavy metals can be present due to plant-based ingredients but confirms each batch undergoes third-party testing to ensure levels are below strict safety guidelines. Factors like sourcing, manufacturing, and third-party certifications like NSF Certified for Sport are critical for evaluating product safety.

Key Points

Trace heavy metals are common in plant-based supplements: Due to soil absorption, natural ingredients can contain trace amounts of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
Athletic Greens performs third-party testing: AG1 tests every batch both internally and through independent labs to ensure heavy metal levels are below stringent safety limits.
NSF Certified for Sport® is a key certification: This rigorous third-party certification confirms that AG1 is tested for unsafe levels of heavy metals and banned substances, offering a high degree of consumer assurance.
Levels are generally considered safe for healthy adults: The trace levels found in AG1 and other greens powders, when adhering to recommended serving sizes, are within acceptable regulatory guidelines for most adults.
Sensitive populations should consult a doctor: Reports have suggested that due to lead content, pregnant women, children, and those with certain health conditions should consult a physician before using AG1 regularly.
Transparency is key: Consumers should prioritize supplement brands that are transparent about their testing process and make their Certificates of Analysis readily available.

Understanding Heavy Metals in Plant-Based Supplements

Heavy metal contamination in dietary supplements is a well-documented issue, especially for products derived from plants. The metals—such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury—are naturally present in the earth's crust and can be absorbed by plants from the soil, air, and water where they are grown. For greens powders like Athletic Greens (AG1), which use a concentrated blend of whole foods and herbs, the risk of some level of heavy metal presence is inherent.

Why Heavy Metal Concerns Arise

Unlike pharmaceuticals, the dietary supplement industry is not subject to pre-market approval by the FDA, placing the primary responsibility for safety on the manufacturer. This regulatory gap is why independent, third-party testing is so vital for consumer confidence. Concerns regarding specific brands like AG1 stem from reports by organizations like ConsumerLab.com, which identified detectable levels of lead in a 2022 test.

How Athletic Greens Manages Heavy Metal Levels

Athletic Greens has publicly addressed the heavy metal issue with transparent communication about its rigorous testing protocols. They conduct both in-house and independent third-party testing on every batch to ensure levels of heavy metals are well below safety guidelines set by reputable bodies such as US Pharmacopeia (USP) and NSF International.

Here are some of the key safety measures AG1 employs:

Dual-Testing Process: Each batch is tested both internally and by third-party labs to ensure consistent quality and purity.
Rigorous Benchmarks: The company adheres to strict guidelines from NSF International and USP, which are often more stringent than general FDA recommendations.
Ingredient Sourcing: Athletic Greens partners with suppliers who must meet or exceed their strict heavy metal specifications to prevent contamination at the source.
Manufacturing Standards: Production takes place in a TGA-registered and GMP-compliant facility, which includes regular audits.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA): For every batch, a CoA is produced, detailing testing results for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, allergens, and other substances.

The Role of Third-Party Certifications

When evaluating any supplement, looking for third-party certifications is the single most important step for consumers. Certifications from trusted organizations signify that an independent body has verified the product's contents and safety. The gold standard for athletic supplements is the NSF Certified for Sport® program.

Comparison: Certified vs. Uncertified Supplements


Feature	NSF Certified for Sport® Supplement	Uncertified Supplement (Internal Testing Only)
Heavy Metal Testing	Guaranteed to be below specified safe limits; verified by an independent third party.	Testing is reliant on the company's internal procedures, which can vary in rigor and transparency.
Banned Substance Testing	Tested for over 280 substances banned by major athletic organizations, mitigating risk for competitive athletes.	No independent verification for banned substances; potential risk of contamination.
Label Claim Verification	Contents are verified to match what is listed on the label, ensuring accuracy and potency.	Inconsistencies between the label and actual product contents are a possibility.
Manufacturing Audits	Facilities are audited annually or bi-annually by NSF to ensure compliance with stringent quality standards.	No independent oversight of manufacturing facilities or practices.
Consumer Confidence	Provides a high degree of reassurance and builds trust through independent validation.	Can raise skepticism and requires relying solely on the manufacturer's claims.

The Takeaway for Consumers

While Athletic Greens (AG1) acknowledges the natural presence of trace heavy metals, their commitment to extensive third-party testing and certifications like NSF Certified for Sport® helps to manage and minimize this risk. The presence of trace heavy metals is not uncommon in many plant-based products, including vegetables from the grocery store. The key is ensuring these levels are consistently low and within safe regulatory standards, which third-party testing verifies. Consumers can further assess risk by reviewing the company's testing reports and prioritizing brands with transparent safety measures. Ultimately, a balanced diet is always the best option, but for those who choose greens powders, informed choices based on certification and transparency are critical.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

In summary, yes, Athletic Greens (AG1) does contain trace amounts of heavy metals, but the company's extensive testing and NSF certification demonstrate a robust commitment to keeping these levels below established safety thresholds. The inherent nature of plant-based ingredients means absolute zero heavy metals are nearly impossible to achieve, but transparent third-party testing provides a strong assurance of safety for most users. For individuals in sensitive populations, such as pregnant women and children, it is always wise to consult a healthcare professional, as some studies suggest caution due to lead content. By reviewing quality standards and certifications, consumers can confidently navigate their supplement options. For more information on AG1's specific testing protocols, consumers can visit the company's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all greens powders are contaminated to a concerning degree. Trace amounts of heavy metals are naturally present in many plant-based foods, but reputable brands like Athletic Greens use rigorous third-party testing to ensure their products remain below established safety thresholds.

NSF Certified for Sport® is an independent third-party certification program that verifies supplements are free of banned substances and harmful contaminants, including unsafe levels of heavy metals. This is considered a gold standard for quality and safety in the supplement industry.

Heavy metals can enter supplements when the plants they are derived from absorb contaminants from the soil, air, or water during cultivation. Processing and manufacturing equipment can also be a source of contamination.

The amount of lead found in Athletic Greens (AG1) is within regulatory safety limits for most adults and is considered safe for consumption. However, some reports caution that pregnant women and children should be more vigilant due to the potential cumulative effects of lead.

You can verify a supplement's safety by checking for seals from reputable third-party testing organizations like NSF, USP, or Informed Sport. Many transparent companies also publish their Certificates of Analysis on their websites.

Not necessarily. Some studies have found that plant-based organic supplements can sometimes have higher levels of heavy metals than non-organic options, as plants naturally absorb metals from the soil. Transparency and third-party testing are more reliable indicators of safety than an 'organic' label alone.

High-level, chronic exposure to heavy metals can be toxic and affect various bodily functions, including the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive health. Symptoms can include lethargy, confusion, and organ damage.