The G Fuel lawsuit regarding lead contents keeps resurfacing around the internet. Worried? Let’s explore exactly what lead contents are in G Fuel and whether or not they are dangerous.
In short, yes. But is it worth worrying about? Let’s dive a little deeper.
In 2018, California’s Environmental Research Center sued Gamma Enterprises (the maker of G Fuel). Among 18 samples of G Fuel, California’s Research Center found enough lead to require California warning labels.
According to OEHHA (California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment), a daily intake of 0.5 micrograms can cause blood poisoning. A daily intake of 15 micrograms a day can cause cancer.
Any product that contains 0.5 micrograms or more of lead requires the California warning label.
Since Gamma Enterprises had no warning labels at the time, they settled the lawsuit with a payment of $10,500. G Fuel has carried the warning label in California ever since.
The FDA also measures lead contents. But their cap is much higher, at 12.5 micrograms per day for adults. That’s roughly 25 times California’s amount.
But even the FDA’s cap of 12.5 micrograms a day is still ten times less than what would be required to reach toxic blood levels, according to the CDC’s blood reference level.
It’s a simple question, but there is no simple answer. Unfortunately, the tested quantity of lead in G FUEL is not publicly reported by G FUEL or the Environmental Research Center.
Additionally, G Fuel advertises that “You can rest assured knowing G FUEL is manufactured in FDA certified facilities and is 100% FDA compliant”. But they also mention that dietary supplements do NOT need to be FDA approved, which is true.
But that also means that G Fuel is not FDA approved.
So since the amount of lead was never published, and the product is not FDA approved, it leaves you with more questions than answers.
But what we can clear up is that products containing lead aren’t uncommon. Actually, it’s very common.
Lead is commonly found in anything from candy to vegetables and even baby food.
So why is that? Certainly, manufacturers don’t just randomly add some lead to their products?
The biggest source of lead in products comes from the soil. Lead occurs naturally in soils, typically at concentrations that range from 10 to 50 mg. The roots of vegetables and fruit draw from the soil and contaminate the product with traces of lead.
G Fuel consists of natural ingredients. That’s what sets the product apart. So it’s not surprising for the product to contain traces of lead.
It’s doubtful for the product to contain dangerous amounts, though.
Instead, the amount found in G Fuel is likely from the natural products that soaked up traces of lead through its roots.
Are there traces of lead in G Fuel? Yes. But since G Fuel consists of natural ingredients that commonly soak up traces of lead through their roots, it’s not very surprising.
Additionally, California is pretty strict when it comes to its warning labels. While not FDA approved, G Fuel likely contains far below the FDA’s max intake of 12.5 micrograms a day.
Furthermore, the Gfuel / California lawsuit was settled with a payment of a measly $10,500. If G Fuel contained so much lead that it was life-threatening, the sum would likely have been far higher. And G Fuel would likely be banned from producing such a toxic product.
[…] also some concern online that G FUEL has very small doses of lead in it. While the dose is so low that it’s not considered dangerous, this is something that gives a […]
Thanks for the article!
You’re welcome! I hope it was informational for you :-)
Very thorough! Thank you
You’re most welcome! 🙂
They don’t have lead problems because it’s naturally in the ingredients lol. No other company says our product may contain lead. I mean if you actually look in the powder you can actually see tiny particles of what look to be lead. If not lead then it’s some material that is contaminating the powder. Very unclean mix. Much better options than this shit
Hi Peyton
I understand your response, it’s a natural one for most individuals. Just keep in mind that just because a lead warning isn’t required, that doesn’t mean it does not contain traces of lead.
Here’s an article published by the Environmental Defense Fund Organisation: https://www.edf.org/health/lead-food-hidden-health-threat
As noted in this article, roughly 20% of baby food contains lead.
Protein powders, fruit and vegetables, spices, wild game, and many more things all contain lead. The biggest takeaway is that it is not about traces of lead being detected but how much of it.
This article mentions that the FDA allows lead content up to 12.5 micrograms. California has that bar much lower, at just 0.5 micrograms, which lead (no pun intended) to the lawsuit. The lawsuit was settled at just $10,500, which likely means that G Fuel agreed to pay just to avoid the negative impact on their brand, but no real harm was ever caused.
Thank you for the information, exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks Marc! Glad it was helpful to you.