Cadmium

You may want to put down that post-workout Muscle Milk.

Consumer Reports, a monthly review of consumer products and services, recently found that three popular protein drinks were packing more than just chocolate.

EAS Myoplex Original Dark Chocolate Shake and two versions of Muscle Milk chocolate drinks had high levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead.

Consumers Union tested three servings' worth of protein drinks -- a typical amount people drink in one day.

Andrew Shao, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry group, told Consumer Reports that protein powders and drinks are a safe option, even for teens and pregnant women -- groups frequently targeted for nutrition boosting, NPR reported.

But federal regulations don't generally require that protein drinks and other dietary supplements be tested before they are sold to ensure that they are safe, effective and free of contaminants, Consumer Reports noted.

"Most consumers and even many doctors don't realize that in this country we're left to simply trust the manufacturer to decide what level of quality and safety they'll provide," Pieter Cohen, an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance and author of a recent New England Journal of Medicine article on contaminants in dietary supplements, told Consumer Reports.

Cadmium is a metallic element. It has primarily been used in paints, coatings and batteries. Exposure in humans can cause significant kidney and lung damage.

Arsenic and lead are also naturally occurring metallic elements that have varieties of uses in industry from insecticides to electronics. But when consumed, they can cause cancer and brain damage.

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Shrek Glass Recall

McDonald's is recalling 12 million drinking glasses featuring characters from the "Shrek" movie series because the paint used contains cadmium, which can pose health risks.

The fast-food company announced the Shrek glass recall Friday in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The 16-ounce glasses were sold for $2 each at McDonald's locations across the country in May and June to promote the new movie "Shrek Forever After 3D."

Each glass features one of four painted designs. Consumers are advised to keep the glasses away from children and to return them to McDonald's (MCD, Fortune 500) for a refund.

The manufacturer of the products is ARC International, based in Millville, N.J.

While no injuries were reported and the cadmium level in the glasses is low, long-term exposure to the metal can cause adverse health effects. Cadmium, which at high levels is a carcinogen, can cause kidney and bone damage.

A CPSC spokesman said the agency is working to establish a "highly protective" level of cadmium. These glass products were slightly above that level, he said, even though the agency has not yet established an acceptable cadmium standard.

The products being recalled don't pose a toxic risk to consumers, he added.

A statement from McDonald's said the glassware was evaluated by an independent third-party lab that is accredited by the CPSC, and the products were "in compliance" with state and federal law.

Previously released promotional glassware and Happy Meal toys are not involved in the recall, McDonald's said.

CPSC said the office of Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., made it aware of the matter. A statement on Speier's website said she learned of potential issues with the glasses through an anonymous tip.

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"Our children's health should not depend on the consciences of anonymous sources," Speier said in the statement. "Although McDonald's did the right thing by recalling these products, we need stronger testing standards to ensure that all children's products are proven safe before they hit the shelves."

Last month, the CPSC recalled children's jewelry made in China that was found to contain cadmium. The agency said it was expanding its investigation of the metal's use in paint for children's products.

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