{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000082","name":"Meal Replacement Shakes (Ready-to-Drink)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"supplements","tags":["meal replacement","Soylent","Huel","heavy metals","plastic bottle","micronutrient"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Liquid meal replacement shakes (Soylent, Huel RTD, Ensure, SlimFast) in plastic bottles or Tetra Pak cartons. Designed as daily meal substitutes with complete macronutrient profiles. Heavy metal contamination similar to protein powders. Plastic bottles contribute microplastic and BPA-substitute exposure. Daily use as meal replacement means highest-tier chronic exposure.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.744,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"pregnant women, adolescents","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Heavy metal contamination in daily-consumed product","Microplastic ingestion from plastic bottles","Nutritional adequacy concerns for exclusive use"],"exposure_routes":"Direct oral ingestion daily"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["1-3 bottles daily as meal replacement","Plastic bottle stored at room temperature or in car","Long-term daily use (months to years)"],"notes":"Meal replacements are consumed daily, making any contamination a chronic exposure. Clean Label Project found heavy metals in most tested brands. Plastic bottles contribute microplastic particles. Some users consume 100% of calories from these products."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Do not rely exclusively on meal replacement shakes for nutrition. Choose brands with third-party heavy metal testing. Transfer from plastic bottle to glass before consuming if possible. Vary brands to avoid cumulative exposure from a single source.","safer_alternatives":["Whole food meals with complete nutrition","Powder-format meal replacements mixed in glass containers","Brands with published third-party contaminant testing"],"alternatives":[{"name":"Whole food meals with complete nutrition","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Powder-format meal replacements mixed in glass containers","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Brands with published third-party contaminant testing","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"}],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Scratched, stained, or discolored food-contact surface","meaning":"Surface damage increases chemical migration into food.","action":"Replace food-contact items showing visible wear."},{"indicator":"No FDA compliance or food-safe marking","meaning":"Materials may not meet food-contact safety standards.","action":"Choose products marked FDA-compliant or NSF certified."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party safety certification visible on packaging","meaning":"Product has been independently tested to applicable safety standards.","verification":"Look for certification logos (CPSIA, ASTM, EN, NSF, UL, OEKO-TEX)."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials is this product made from?","why_it_matters":"Material composition determines chemical exposure potential.","good_answer":"Full material disclosure with known safe materials.","bad_answer":"No material information or unspecified."}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170-199","citation":"21 CFR 170-199","requirements":"Food-contact materials must comply with FDA indirect food additive regulations.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 + EU 10/2011","citation":"EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011","requirements":"Materials must not transfer constituents to food exceeding specific migration limits.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA 21 CFR","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 170-199","scope":"Food contact substances"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle plastic bottles per local program.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","name":"Lead (Pb)","role":"contaminant","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000005","name":"Cadmium","role":"contaminant","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000005","compound_name":null,"role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["meal replacement shakes (ready-to-drink)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Optimum Nutrition","manufacturer":"Glanbia","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Best-selling protein powder"},{"brand":"Orgain","manufacturer":"Orgain","market_position":"premium","notable":"Organic plant-based protein"},{"brand":"Muscle Milk","manufacturer":"PepsiCo","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Mass-market protein supplement"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170-199 (21 CFR 170-199)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 CFR 170-199","id":"src_131cd3dc"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 + EU 10/2011 (EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011","id":"src_f722b4a3"},{"id":"src_001","type":"cdc","title":"CDC - Lead Poisoning Prevention","url":"https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/","accessed":"2026-01-13","relevance":"Blood lead reference values, no safe level doctrine","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000001"},{"id":"src_002","type":"who","title":"WHO - Lead Poisoning Fact Sheet","url":"https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health","year":2024,"accessed":"2026-01-13","relevance":"Global burden statistics, health effects","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000001"},{"id":"iarc_100c_cd","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100C: Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000005"},{"id":"epa_cd_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Cadmium","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000005"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:23:53.344Z"}}