Class Action Lawsuit Claims OWYN Protein Powder Contains Lead

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit claims that protein supplement company Only What You Need (OWYN) failed to disclose that its chocolate flavor OWYN protein powders contain lead.

Get class action lawsuit and settlement news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.

According to the 26-page lawsuit, health-related representations on the packaging of OWYN protein powder have misled consumers into believing the products, used for OWNY protein shakes, are safe and healthy to consume. These statements, along with the company’s failure to disclose the OWYN protein powder's lead content, have deprived consumers of the ability to make fully informed purchase decisions and put them at risk of ingesting harmful heavy metals, the case alleges.

Per the suit, an accredited laboratory commissioned by the plaintiff found that OWYN chocolate Plant Protein Powder contains 0.5976 mcg of lead per serving, which is higher than California’s maximum allowable dose level for reproductive toxicity. The lawsuit stresses that, per the World Health Organization, “[t]here is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.”

Lead poisoning, per the complaint, primarily occurs when a person ingests contaminated food or water and can have adverse effects on various organ systems, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, kidneys and central nervous system.

Despite the alleged lead content in its chocolate Plant Protein Powder, OWYN represents on the packaging that the supplement is “PRO ELITE,” supports digestive and immune health, is “high quality protein” and contains “ONLY WHAT YOU NEED” and “NOTHING YOU DON’T.”

These statements, the complaint claims, are made completely voluntarily to draw in more business from the growing population of health-conscious consumers.

However, the lawsuit alleges that the OWYN plant-based protein shake’s health representations are misleading given the product’s lead content. Per the suit, consumers would not have purchased or would have paid less for the product if they had been made aware that it contains lead.

The Only What You Need class action lawsuit seeks to represent all California citizens who purchased chocolate OWYN protein powder within the past four years and who do not claim any personal injury from use of the product.

Want to learn how to start a class action lawsuit? We’ve got you covered.