Huel Inc., a company known for its meal replacement products, is currently facing multiple class action lawsuits alleging that its Black Edition powder contains hazardous levels of heavy metals, including lead and cadmium. These legal actions were initiated following an October 2025 investigation by Consumer Reports, which found that a single serving of Huel Black Edition contained 6.3 micrograms of lead—approximately 1,290% of the daily lead limit recommended by experts—and 9.2 micrograms of cadmium, more than double the level considered harmful for daily intake. ([classaction.org](https://www.classaction.org/news/huel-lawsuit-alleges-high-protein-complete-meal-powder-contains-dangerous-levels-of-heavy-metals?utm_source=openai))
In response to these allegations, Huel has suggested that the lawsuits are driven by “professional litigants” and constitute “nuisance suits.” The company maintains that its products are safe and meet all relevant food safety standards. Huel’s marketing director in the United Kingdom described the reports as “unnecessary scaremongering,” asserting that “Huel’s Black Edition is completely safe and meets all UK and EU food safety standards.” ([classaction.org](https://www.classaction.org/news/huel-lawsuit-alleges-high-protein-complete-meal-powder-contains-dangerous-levels-of-heavy-metals?utm_source=openai))
The lawsuits claim that Huel’s marketing materials mislead consumers by promoting the Black Edition powder as a “nutritionally complete” and “science-backed” meal replacement, while allegedly failing to disclose the presence of heavy metals. Plaintiffs argue that these omissions deprived them of informed purchasing decisions and led them to pay a premium for a product that poses potential health risks. ([classaction.org](https://www.classaction.org/news/huel-lawsuit-alleges-high-protein-complete-meal-powder-contains-dangerous-levels-of-heavy-metals?utm_source=openai))
Huel has previously faced legal challenges regarding heavy metal content in its products. In September 2021, the Environmental Research Center filed a Notice of Violation under California’s Proposition 65, alleging that certain Huel products contained lead and cadmium at levels requiring consumer warnings. This action resulted in a settlement in March 2022, where Huel agreed to limit lead exposure to no more than 0.5 micrograms per day and cadmium exposure to no more than 4.1 micrograms per day in its products sold in California. ([oag.ca.gov](https://oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-day-notice-2021-02361?utm_source=openai))
Despite these legal challenges, Huel continues to assert the safety of its products. The company emphasizes that trace amounts of heavy metals are naturally present in many plant-based foods and that its products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they remain within globally recognized safety standards. ([huel-us.zendesk.com](https://huel-us.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/42565798808980-Heavy-metals-cadmium-or-lead-in-Huel-products?utm_source=openai))
The outcome of the current class action lawsuits could have significant implications for Huel and the broader meal replacement industry, particularly concerning product safety disclosures and marketing practices. Legal professionals and industry observers will be closely monitoring these developments as they unfold.