CASE NAME: India v. Naked Whey, Inc.
CASE NO.: Not specified
JURISDICTION: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
FILED ON: November 12, 2025
CLASS DEFINITION: All persons in Illinois who purchased Naked Mass Vegan Gainer products during the applicable class period.

SUMMARY:
According to the complaint, Naked Whey, Inc. is accused of misleading consumers by marketing its protein powder products as clean, premium, and free from harmful substances while allegedly containing or risking containing significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead. The lawsuit claims that consumers were led to believe the products were safe for regular consumption, when in fact they allegedly posed potential health risks. The plaintiff asserts that this omission caused consumers to pay a premium for products they otherwise would not have purchased.

ALLEGATIONS:
The lawsuit alleges that Naked Whey markets its “Naked Mass Vegan Gainer” protein powders as high-quality, clean-label products made with “only five ingredients” and “nothing to hide.” As shown in product packaging and marketing materials referenced in the complaint (pages 13–15), the products emphasize attributes such as “GMO free,” “gluten free,” “dairy free,” and “no artificial additives,” reinforcing the impression of purity and safety.

According to the complaint, these representations are misleading because the products allegedly contain or risk containing detectable and significant levels of heavy metals, including lead and cadmium. The lawsuit cites independent testing conducted by Consumer Reports, which found that the vanilla version of Naked Mass Vegan Gainer contained approximately 7.70 micrograms of lead per serving. As shown in the table on page 5 of the complaint, this level is significantly higher than recommended safety thresholds.

The complaint further alleges that this amount represents approximately 1,572% of California’s recommended safe harbor level for lead exposure per serving, and that a single daily serving could exceed the FDA’s interim reference levels for dietary lead intake. The graphic on page 11 of the complaint highlights that the product was categorized as one of the “Products to Avoid” based on these findings.

The lawsuit explains that heavy metals such as lead can accumulate in the body over time and are associated with serious health risks, including neurological damage, cardiovascular issues, and cancer. It further alleges that no level of lead exposure is considered safe, particularly for products intended for frequent or daily consumption, such as protein powders.

According to the complaint, the presence of heavy metals in protein powders is avoidable through proper sourcing and manufacturing processes. The lawsuit points to other competing products that allegedly contain little to no detectable lead, suggesting that Naked Whey could have reduced or eliminated these contaminants.

The plaintiff alleges that Naked Whey failed to disclose the presence or risk of heavy metals on product labeling or in marketing materials, despite conducting third-party testing. The complaint asserts that consumers had no reasonable way to detect the presence of these substances prior to purchase and relied on the company’s representations regarding product purity and safety.

The named plaintiff claims he purchased the products multiple times, relying on statements such as “only five premium ingredients” and “nothing to hide.” He alleges that he would not have purchased the products, or would have paid less, had he known they contained or risked containing toxic heavy metals.

The lawsuit brings claims under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, as well as claims for unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks damages, restitution, injunctive relief, and other remedies on behalf of the proposed class.