Class Action Lawsuit Claims Only What You Need Plant Protein Powder Contains Lead
by Chloe Gocher
Barton v. Only What You Need, Inc.
Filed: July 18, 2025 ◆§ 3:25cv1849
A class action lawsuit alleges Only What You Need fails to disclose the lead content in its chocolate flavor Plant Protein Powder.
California
A proposed class action lawsuit claims that protein supplement company Only What You Need (OWYN) failed to disclose that its chocolate flavor Plant Protein Powder products 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 are safe and healthy to consume. These statements, along with the company’s failure to disclose the 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 protein powder’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 Only What You Need chocolate flavor Plant 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.
Video Game Addiction Lawsuits
If your child suffers from video game addiction — including Fortnite addiction or Roblox addiction — you may be able to take legal action. Gamers 18 to 22 may also qualify.
Learn more:Video Game Addiction Lawsuit
Depo-Provera Lawsuits
Anyone who received Depo-Provera or Depo-Provera SubQ injections and has been diagnosed with meningioma, a type of brain tumor, may be able to take legal action.
Read more: Depo-Provera Lawsuit
How Do I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
Did you know there's usually nothing you need to do to join, sign up for, or add your name to new class action lawsuits when they're initially filed?
Read more here: How Do I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
Stay Current
Sign Up For
Our Newsletter
New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox.
Before commenting, please review our comment policy.