Consumers Sue Costco Over Heavy Metals in Orgain Protein

Seven consumers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Costco Wholesale Corp. on July 7, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The plaintiffs allege the retailer violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act by selling Orgain organic plant-based protein powder contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic, while marketing the product as clean, high quality, and nutritious.

The complaint cites a 2025 Consumer Reports investigation finding lead levels in the vanilla bean version at 143% of the organization's level of concern, while other independent testing allegedly showed the same flavor exceeded California's Proposition 65 lead limits by more than 600%. Plaintiffs from six states, including Washington and Texas, argue that the USDA Organic certification misleadingly suggests the products are contaminant-free. Although no plaintiffs reported adverse health effects, they are seeking financial damages and an injunction to force Costco to disclose heavy metal presence or cease sales.

Orgain denied the claims in a July 9 statement, asserting that its products are safe for daily use and comply with applicable food safety standards. The lawsuit occurs amid broader regulatory scrutiny, including a June 2026 industry-wide investigation by the Texas Attorney General and a February 2026 California bill requiring mandatory heavy metal testing and disclosure for protein products.