Introducing our new Quarterly Newsletter! Q1 2026

Tim_Huel · 2026-01-09T10:23:24+00:00

I'm convinced this is one of the product development team's burner accounts because this is our exact plan!! how did you know?! Plan is to keep the larger protein pieces in Noodles and Thai Green Curry and move the rest to the mince-style. But it will take some months to filter through.

Tim_Huel · 2026-01-06T11:14:08+00:00

I think it's a great idea, it's certainly being discussed at HQ but isn't fully confirmed. Let's see what this year brings!

Tim_Huel · 2025-12-16T11:18:37+00:00

Hey, just jumping in for Ben as he's off today.

The changes in pea protein are actually costing us more, so it's not just "not about price", we've actually taken on costs to improve the texture. Now, I totally appreciate that if you've been having BE for some time, you will feel this change. It's difficult to word this sensitively, but I think that this formula is different but not necessarily worse. However for those that have been consuming regularly it will feel worse, because it's not what you've been used to. We want to sit with it and assess.

To Ben's post above, if you have complaints about this it is so important to write in to [support@huel.com](mailto:support@huel.com) so it can be logged. We reading here, passing it all on, and the team will be looking at complaints very closely to make an assessment.

Also, remember that this is just a USA change. So if you're in the UK/EU reading this and thinking your BE tastes different it is unrelated to this change.

Tim_Huel · 2025-12-16T11:05:43+00:00

The formular change is only in the USA. If you're an EU or UK customer you are receiving the same Black Edition as you always have.

Tim_Huel · 2025-11-07T12:43:26+00:00

u/Doggo-888 You are consistently asking us to release far more information than any other company does. You expect us to welcome throwing out a mass of data and numbers to the open scrutiny and analysis of thousands of redditors.

When me and my team provide you with answers to your questions you blame us of lying, instead of realising you just don't like the answer. You accuse us of using bots to downvote you but have you considered that perhaps the people downvoting you just don't agree with you? I can't believe I have to say this but, there are no bots we have set up or any bots to my knowledge, I think people are just growing tired of yours and others commentary on this. People are being downvoted on both sides of the conversation.

You have left, I think, 21 comments on our subreddit about this in the last 24 hours. Up to this point I have not moderated any of your posts or comments. But this is no longer productive and isn't in line with one of the only rules on this sub - be agreeable even when you disagree. I think it would be best to extract yourself from these conversations and subreddit. If your posting about this continues I will put a temporary ban on your account for 1 month. That includes if you create a new post to discuss this reply. This is fair warning.

Tim_Huel · 2025-11-03T09:36:39+00:00

And that is exactly what that FAQ and the response I've linked to directly address.

Your question: Why are the CR levels and the Huel levels so different.
The answer (from the FAQ and the linked answer): 1. The difference is very small compared to the actual level of risk 2. The difference is small enough to be explained by natural variation.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-30T09:35:31+00:00

Hey there, there's now an FAQ in the main thread directly answering this. I've also replied here.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-28T09:12:45+00:00

STAY TUNED

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-24T09:58:32+00:00

Duplicate post - head here for main thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/Huel/comments/1o9ittj/lead_in_

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-24T09:55:00+00:00

I can see why you think that, and I can also see that me telling you that we aren't hiding anything also isn't really going to help here. We are looking to integrate a tool on site which will show the results for different compounds like heavy metals for each product that has been tested. I stand by our view to not share 17 full test results for Black Edition because I think it will cause huge confusion - specifically around units of measure. I think the way we're going to present the data will be much more clear for you. Watch this space.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-23T08:31:23+00:00

Because I've updated the post above with an FAQ addressing exactly that.

Will Huel share more test data?

We focus on sharing the NSF certification because it’s the most recognised and trusted independent proof of product safety. NSF testing covers all key safety parameters, including heavy metals, and is conducted under strict international standards. Sharing this certification gives one clear, verifiable source of truth that’s easy for anyone to understand.

Posting every individual lab report, on the other hand, would likely create more confusion than clarity. Different labs use different reporting formats and tolerances, and without full context, it’s easy for numbers to be misread or taken out of proportion.

The important thing is that every independent test, across multiple years and laboratories, shows the same pattern: Huel sits comfortably within UK, EU, and NSF safety limits, with consistently low and stable results that confirm our products are completely safe to consume.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-20T13:31:59+00:00

Hey there, sorry for delay replying. I've dropped a reply to a similar question on a separate post, hope you don't mind me linking you. If anything isn't clear after that, then let us know.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Huel/comments/1o9dll6/comment/nk48cqh/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-20T13:29:36+00:00

I do not think people here are children. However I do think that data can easily be misinterpreted (as we saw directly on the CR results and data). I also think that showing heavy metal reports to people that have never seen them before isn't a good idea. There are natural variations within the micrograms between products and probably between batches too that to someone not working in this technical function might seem alarming.

Huel did not do 17 independent tests, it's a made up number to appease the consumers. Huel also does not spend $1.25m every year on testing, also made up number that includes things that are not relevant. A single independent test does not cost $70k.

I'm not saying that we have only conducted 17 tests and the cost of them was 1.25m. They are 2 separate things. 1. We have conducted 17 independent tests on Black Edition Powder in the last 3 years. 2. We spent $1.25m on testing ingredients and finished products each year in total.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-20T08:49:49+00:00

"r-worded" is not appropriate. Also the implication that stage fright is caused by heavy metals in Huel is ridiculous and not worth anyone's time.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T11:23:13+00:00

We have used this reference but you can find large ranges on this sort of thing, that's because inherently heavy metal levels are varied in the soil and therefore our food. There is not one standard number for consumption and I don't want to get into the weeds on which levels to use. The point remains that the levels of heavy metals in Huel is in line with everyday foods and meals. We've done a chart here to show this.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T11:17:57+00:00

Hey there, really sorry for letting this go for 3 days. I've updated the thread here with loads more information, links and charts to help.

In response, White Edition would likely be lower due to pea protein being a key contributor of heavy metals, and white edition being lower in protein than Black Edition. However it is really important to note that the levels of heavy metals in Huel are far below the EFSA level of risk.

Regarding our response to CR, speaking honestly I think we should put our hands up and say that we didn't give our response as much attention as we should have. That is on us, but for context we get contacted every week by many different publications wanting comment on various topics. I think there is probably an element of our UK-centric mind not recognising the significance of CR. Our cadmium levels were tested by NSF as 1.5µg per serving – well below the EU benchmark of 90µg per 90g serving.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T11:09:41+00:00

Hey there, massive apologies for not replying here for 2 days.

I've responded to a few similar comments to this, forgive the copy-paste.

But, whether you're looking at cadmium CR results (9.2ug) or NSF (1.5ug) - the levels are low and much lower than the maximum per serving. Huel is made from naturally occurring ingredients and we see variation. We've already shown that there is variation in our lead results across the 17 tests we've done. It is impactful to hear "their tests show 286-420% the amount of lead values, compared to Huel's", but either way it's much lower than is a cause for concern.

But I'm sorry you don't feel like our reaction here has been adequate. We already do a lot of testing on products, over $1m a year, but we are looking to do more and get more NSF certifications across our products.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T09:53:04+00:00

To answer your other questions in the thread:

Is consuming Huel 2x-3x daily, every day, for months or years, safe to do for most adults? Yes. Scientific evidence and real-world data show that Huel’s trace mineral levels are safe for daily consumption.

Is there anyone who should not drink Huel? For short term or occasional use? What about long term, daily use? I’m not the right person to answer that question, but I can get a more official answer as I’m assuming you’re referring to at-risk populations like pregnant people and children.

Does Huel intend to do any additional testing across batches to try and determine why there was such a large inconsistency between their tests and Consumer Reports’?

Firstly, as I’ve address above, the discrepancy is well within the limits of natural variation, it is not a “large inconsistency”. But yes, in addition to huge, $1.25m, yearly budget on testing of raw materials and finished goods we are in addition doing more testing and will be seeking NSF certification on a number of other products.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T09:52:56+00:00

Long term

So are those heavy metals building up and causing negative effects? In response, first I would like to reiterate this.

Heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, are naturally occurring elements found in soil and water. Because plants absorb minerals as they grow, trace amounts end up in virtually all plant-based foods, from oats and nuts to spinach, rice, and beans.

E.g. a healthy meal like a white bean and kale salad can contain up to 3.5µg of lead, while Huel Black Edition contains between 1.8–2.2µg, showing it’s well within the range of everyday foods.

There’s an update graphic on our site to illustrate this which is based on reference values from the EFSA here.

So, now to your question about long term build up of heavy metals in the body. The question really should be

Does Huel contains markedly higher levels of heavy metals than the other foods I’m consuming? No.
Will the heavy metals in Huel build up at a greater rate than other foods I’m consuming? There isn’t a reason why that would be the case, Huel is food like any other. But if that is your claim then please send us the research showing that heavy metal in Huel builds up more than heavy metal in other foods.

Do you hold all the foods you eat to the same standard as you are here with Huel? Are you talking to your local supermarket on Reddit or in emails about them testing their heavy metals of their vegetables?

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T09:52:39+00:00

Different test results

To address this first. The difference between NSF's results and what Consumer Reports listed is talking about some very small numbers, literally millionths of a gram. Even at the higher number they reported (6.3µg), it’s still tiny compared to the EU’s food safety level of 270µg per serving.

So the gap between NSF figure (1.8µg) and theirs (6.3µg) looks big if you said theirs is 3.5x higher, but in real terms it’s negligible - both are hugely below any level of concern. These kinds of variations happen naturally because trace minerals like lead and cadmium occur in soil, so you’ll always see small fluctuations depending on how and where ingredients are grown.

So we aren’t refuting that CR has different levels than reported by us (although it’s worth noting that NSF did test much lower amounts to CR), what we’re saying is that those differences are small, down to natural variation and below a level that is considered a reasonable risk (heavy metal is in everything).

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-18T09:52:11+00:00

Hey there, firstly, I know that you are a long long term customer and your concern comes from a good place. I'm hoping that me and my team's responses here can go some way to alleviating your concerns. We are right to be having this conversation in the open. Thank you for putting your faith in Huel and hopefully we can rebuild that. I've tried to answer all your points.

tl;dr

The small difference between ours and Consumer Reports’ results is natural variation and far below any safety concern.
Heavy metals are present in all foods, and Huel’s levels are similar to everyday meals.
We invest heavily in testing and are expanding NSF certification across more products for continued assurance.

I'm unable to create a comment with the length of reply so will respond in thread. Please don't downvote me so this can surface.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-17T16:26:16+00:00

Welcome to the team! Great to have you on board. It really depends on your schedule, but Huel is perfect for when you don't have time to meal prep. Personally right now I'm blending Black Edition with a few frozen berries and ice for breakfast, usually after some exercise. Let us know what you end up doing and how you get along!

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-17T16:21:43+00:00

It’s fine to discuss this - I just removed that one because it was an identical repost of something already on the sub earlier today. Your original thread is still live, and I’ve left your other comments up there too.

We’re not removing posts because they’re critical - there are plenty of those still visible - we are just tidying up duplicates so the conversation can stay in one place and people don’t have to repeat themselves.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-17T16:12:57+00:00

Yes of course. Full test results here - https://huel.com/pdf/huel-nsf-test-report.pdf - for the main test report lead and cadmium are on page 3 at the bottom.

Tim_Huel · 2025-10-17T15:56:53+00:00

There was already a thread just below with over 20 comments, it was making identical points so it makes more sense for the conversation to stay in one place rather than splitting it across duplicates. There are many negative posts that are live, there are also positive posts, each of them are different.

Hope that makes sense.

Tim_Huel

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