The Premier Protein lawsuit landscape includes one active consumer class action over alleged lead contamination, a settled class action over mislabeled protein content, a large settlement involving the related Joint Juice supplement line, litigation stemming from a 2022 microbial contamination recall, and a 2026 securities fraud case against parent company BellRing Brands. The lead case is the one still in play for shake and powder buyers; the others are either resolved or targeted at a different group of plaintiffs.
The Lead Contamination Class Action
In June 2023, three named plaintiffs — Patricia Krystofiak, Luis Carreno, and Jonathan Zimmerman — filed a putative nationwide class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against BellRing Brands and its subsidiary Premier Nutrition Company. The case is captioned Krystofiak v. BellRing Brands, Inc., Case No. 3:23-cv-02819.1TruthInAdvertising.org. Krystofiak v. BellRing Brands and Premier Nutrition
The complaint alleges that Premier Protein ready-to-drink shakes and protein powders are marketed as healthy nutrition products while containing undisclosed lead at levels above the 0.5-microgram daily threshold set by California’s Proposition 65. Independent laboratory testing cited in the complaint reportedly found lead concentrations ranging from 0.53 to 1.39 micrograms per serving in chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and café latte shake varieties.2Barron’s. Protein Shake High Lead Levels Lawsuit
The claims are for false advertising, unjust enrichment, and failure to warn. The plaintiffs seek monetary damages on the theory that the products were worth less than what consumers paid, along with injunctive relief. The case does not seek damages for personal injuries.3U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. BellRing Brands SEC Filing, Commitments and Contingencies
BellRing and Premier Nutrition moved to dismiss in August 2023. The motion was still pending as of BellRing’s quarterly filing covering the period through March 31, 2024, and the company said it did not believe the suit would have a “material adverse effect” on its financial condition, with no expenses incurred beyond legal fees.3U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. BellRing Brands SEC Filing, Commitments and Contingencies BellRing’s annual report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, did not specifically address the lead contamination case in its legal proceedings disclosures.4BellRing Brands. BellRing Brands 2024 Annual Report No class has been certified.
Related Proposition 65 Notices
On June 7, 2023, the law firm Fitzgerald Joseph LLP filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue under Proposition 65 with the California Attorney General’s Office, a required step before a private enforcement action under California’s toxics law.5California Office of the Attorney General. 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue, Fitzgerald Joseph LLP A separate Proposition 65 notice of violation was filed on October 13, 2025, by APS&EE, LLC against Premier Nutrition and retailer WinCo Foods, targeting a chocolate-flavored Premier Protein supplement sold without the Proposition 65 warning required for products with lead above the safety threshold. That notice stated violations had been occurring since at least October 2024.6California Office of the Attorney General. Proposition 65 Notice of Violation, APS&EE LLC
What Independent Testing Has Shown
Consumer Reports tested chocolate-flavored protein powders and published results in January 2026. Premier Protein’s Chocolate Milkshake powder came in at 0.38 micrograms of lead per serving, or 77% of Consumer Reports’ level of concern (based on the Proposition 65 daily threshold of 0.5 micrograms). Consumer Reports deemed the product safe for daily or near-daily consumption at that level.7Consumer Reports. These Five Protein Powders Had Low Lead Levels A follow-up report in February 2026 confirmed “low levels of lead.”8WMUR. Consumer Reports Protein Powder Retesting Premier Protein declined to comment. The Consumer Reports testing focused on the powder; the class action’s highest alleged lead levels were in the ready-to-drink shakes.
There are no federal limits on lead or other heavy metals in protein powders or dietary supplements. The FDA does not review or approve these products before sale and has largely left testing to manufacturers.9Consumer Reports. Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead After a broader 2025 Consumer Reports investigation, the FDA announced “targeted inspections and sampling activities” focused on heavy metals in the category.7Consumer Reports. These Five Protein Powders Had Low Lead Levels
The Protein Mislabeling Settlement
Before the lead allegations, Premier Protein settled a class action over how much protein was actually in the shakes. In Gregorio v. Premier Nutrition Corporation (Case No. 1:17-cv-05987), the plaintiffs alleged that shakes labeled as containing 30 grams of protein per serving actually contained between 26.9 and 28.3 grams.10Counsel Financial. $9 Million Settlement Granted Approval in Protein Shake Class Action
Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York granted final approval to a $9 million settlement on January 17, 2019. The class covered all U.S. purchasers of Premier Protein shakes from August 8, 2011, through the notice date. More than 245,000 class members received cash payments of roughly $17 to $34 each, distributed on March 27, 2019.11Bursor & Fisher. Payment Sent to Premier Protein Class Members This matter is closed; the claims deadline has long passed.
The Joint Juice Settlement
Premier Nutrition also made Joint Juice, a line of glucosamine supplements that drew its own false advertising litigation over the product’s health claims. In Montera v. Premier Nutrition Corporation, a jury found Premier Nutrition liable under New York consumer protection law. The district court initially awarded about $12.9 million, consisting of $8.3 million in statutory damages and $4.6 million in prejudgment interest. In August 2024, the Ninth Circuit affirmed liability but reversed the prejudgment interest award and sent the statutory damages calculation back for reconsideration on due process grounds.12United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Montera v. Premier Nutrition Corp., Nos. 22-16375, 22-1662213Bloomberg Tax. Joint Juice Maker Liable in False Ad Case, Ninth Circuit Affirms
Rather than continue through remand and other pending claims, the parties settled. In Bland v. Premier Nutrition Corporation (Case No. RG19002714, Alameda County Superior Court), a multi-state class action settlement of $70,839,813.53 received final approval on May 26, 2026.14JointJuiceSettlement.com. Joint Juice Multi-State Settlement The settlement covers people who bought Joint Juice in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, or Pennsylvania within state-specific windows ending December 31, 2022. Buyers identified through retailer records receive automatic payments, while others who filed claims by the May 2026 deadline are eligible for roughly $10 or $25 per unit purchased, depending on the product.15PR Newswire. Joint Juice Glucosamine Supplements Class Action Settlement Premier Nutrition denied wrongdoing and said it settled “to avoid the risk and expense of appeals and further litigation.”
The 2022 Cronobacter Recall and Related Suit
In July 2022, Lyons Magnus LLC, a contract manufacturer that produced Premier Protein shakes at a facility in Beloit, Wisconsin, issued a voluntary recall of 53 nutritional and beverage products over possible contamination by Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum.16U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Lyons Magnus Voluntarily Recalls 53 Nutritional and Beverage Products The recall included Premier Protein 11-ounce chocolate, vanilla, and café latte shakes with lot codes containing “BT.”17Premier Protein. Recall Information
A preliminary investigation found that products from the Beloit facility did not meet commercial sterility requirements, and FDA genetic analysis later matched Cronobacter sakazakii in the facility’s water system to finished products. In January 2023, the FDA issued a warning letter to Lyons Magnus citing serious violations, including the release of roughly 37 batches containing viable microorganisms without reporting them. The recall ultimately covered about 35 million packages, roughly 19 million of which had already shipped.18Food Safety News. FDA Warns Lyons Magnus Over Serious Violations Lyons Magnus said no illnesses or deaths had been linked to Premier Protein or the other recalled products.
A class action, Catalano v. Lyons Magnus, LLC (Case No. 7:22-cv-06867), was filed in August 2022 alleging the recalled products were deceptively labeled because they failed to disclose the contamination risk. The case settled for $3.5 million, with preliminary approval granted in October 2023.19ClassAction.org. Lyons Magnus Facing Class Action After Recalling Products The FDA has since terminated the recall. This suit was brought against Lyons Magnus, not Premier Protein or BellRing.
The BellRing Brands Securities Fraud Case
Investors, not consumers, are behind the newest Premier Protein–adjacent lawsuit. Denha v. BellRing Brands, Inc. (Case No. 1:26-cv-00575) was filed in January 2026 in the Southern District of New York and assigned to Judge Jed S. Rakoff. The named defendants are BellRing Brands, CEO Darcy Horn Davenport, and CFO Paul Rode.20CourtListener. In Re BellRing Brands, Inc. Securities Litigation
The class period runs from November 19, 2024, through August 4, 2025. The plaintiffs allege BellRing executives attributed sales growth to organic demand, new distribution, and favorable market conditions while concealing that much of the growth came from key retailers stockpiling inventory against past supply shortages. Once those retailers felt confident the shortages were behind them, they cut orders, exposing weakening demand and competitive pressure.
The stock dropped twice as these issues surfaced:
- On May 6, 2025, after CFO Rode disclosed on a Q2 earnings call that key retailers were lowering inventory levels, the stock fell $14.88 per share, a 19% decline.21Berger Montague. BellRing Brands Class Action Filing
- On August 5, 2025, after Q3 results narrowed guidance and CEO Davenport attributed weak performance to competitors gaining shelf space, the stock fell another $17.46, about 33%.21Berger Montague. BellRing Brands Class Action Filing
An amended complaint was filed on May 8, 2026, and the defendants moved to dismiss on June 5, 2026. No class has been certified.20CourtListener. In Re BellRing Brands, Inc. Securities Litigation This case is open only to shareholders who held BellRing stock during the class period, not to shake or powder buyers.