Research Papers
Heavy Metals in Foods and Beverages: Global Situation, Health Risks and Reduction Methods
Comprehensive 2023 review of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and other metals across major food groups plus available mitigation strategies.
Read PaperA Narrative Review of Toxic Heavy Metal Content of Infant and Toddler Foods and Evaluation of United States Policy
2022 overview of As, Pb, Hg and Cd levels in U.S. baby foods and critique of current regulatory frameworks.
Read PaperMetals as Contaminants in Food
EFSA 2025 public-facing summary of toxic metals in the European food chain and associated health effects.
Read PaperCloser to Zero: Reducing Childhood Exposure to Contaminants from Foods
FDA’s 2023 action plan to drive arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury levels in baby foods toward minimal exposure.
Read PaperTesting Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Mercury in Foods
FDA’s running database (2024 update) of measured heavy-metal concentrations in U.S. retail foods.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Contaminants in Food: A Comprehensive Review
2021 Food Chemistry review covering occurrence, toxicology and regulatory limits of major heavy metals.
Read PaperAdvances in Analytical Methods for Detecting Heavy Metals in Foods
2022 Trends in Analytical Chemistry article summarizing new instrumentation and rapid assays for metal detection.
Read PaperHuman Health Risk from Dietary Heavy Metal Exposure
2020 STOTEN meta-analysis of global intake, bioaccumulation and risk indices for key toxic metals.
Read PaperLead, Cadmium and Mercury in Food: Public Health Guidance
WHO 2021 fact sheet summarizing health impacts and sources of three high-priority foodborne metals.
Read PaperGlobal Regulatory Limits for Toxic Metals in Foods
2024 Food Control paper comparing Codex, EU, U.S. and Asian maximum limits for arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury.
Read PaperMetals and Metalloids Risk Assessment in Foods
2022 critical review addressing exposure assessment models and uncertainty for metal(loid) contaminants.
Read PaperHeavy Metal Bioaccessibility during Digestion
2023 Food Research International study on in-vitro gastrointestinal release and absorption of metals from common foods.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in U.S. Commercial Baby Foods
2021 Pediatrics article measuring toxic metals in 168 packaged baby-food products.
Read PaperArsenic in Infant Rice Cereal – Risk Assessment
2023 Communication Earth & Environment paper quantifying inorganic As risk from rice cereals even below current limits.
Read PaperCongressional Report on Toxic Metals in Baby Food
2021 U.S. House Subcommittee report revealing high Pb, As, Cd, Hg in leading baby-food brands.
Read PaperLead & Cadmium in European Infant Milk Powders
2022 study analysing Pb and Cd in 45 milk-powder products across EU retail markets.
Read PaperMercury, Lead and Arsenic in Chinese Infant Foods
2020 Food Chemistry survey of multi-metal contamination across 105 infant-food samples in China.
Read PaperDietary Exposure Assessment of Metals in Toddlers
2022 IJERPH paper estimating daily intakes of As, Cd, Pb, Hg from Greek toddlers’ diet.
Read PaperTotal Diet Study for Metal(loid)s in Brazilian Children
2023 FCT article calculating cumulative metal exposure of 0–5 y Brazilian children via total diet approach.
Read PaperBaby Food Metals Monitoring Program (Canada)
2024 CFIA surveillance summary of toxic metals in baby cereals, purées and snacks sold in Canada.
Read PaperRisk–Benefit Model for Trace Metals in Infant Fish Puree
2020 Foods article balancing micronutrient benefits versus metal risks in fish-based weaning foods.
Read Paper“Closer to Zero” Progress Update – Metals Draft Guidance
2024 FDA progress report describing proposed action levels and sampling milestones.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in White, Brown and Wild Rice Sold in the U.S.
2023 J Agric Food Chem study comparing metal profiles of 81 U.S.-market rice brands.
Read PaperCadmium Bioavailability in Rice Cultivated under Different Irrigation
2021 STOTEN field trial quantifying Cd uptake in rice grains under flood- vs sprinkler-irrigation.
Read PaperLead and Arsenic in Rice-Based Baby Snacks
2020 Food Control analysis of puffed rice snacks demonstrating frequent Pb/As exceedances.
Read PaperBenchmarking Heavy Metal Levels in Indian Basmati Rice
2023 Toxics open-access paper measuring As, Cd, Pb in premium basmati varieties.
Read PaperRisk Characterisation of Arsenic in Rice Products
2021 EFSA scientific opinion updating inorganic-arsenic dietary exposure modelling.
Read PaperTotal Diet Study on Metals in UK Grain Products
2022 FSA dataset reporting Pb, Cd, Hg, As levels across grain-derived foods in the UK.
Read PaperMercury Uptake in Rice Cultivated in Mining Areas
2023 Environmental Pollution paper linking soil Hg and methyl-Hg levels to grain contamination.
Read PaperMetals in Gluten-Free Oat, Corn and Rice Flours
2022 Food Chemistry screening of gluten-free flours highlighting Cd concerns in some oat flours.
Read PaperRisk Assessment of Cd & Pb in Wheat Safety Chain
2024 Toxics systems study of soil→grain→flour transfer factors and human hazard indices.
Read PaperChromium and Nickel in Breakfast Cereals
2020 Nutrients analysis of Cr/Ni levels in 30 popular breakfast cereals in Spain.
Read PaperLeafy Vegetables Irrigated with Wastewater in Ethiopia
2023 IJERPH systematic review showing high Pb/Cd intake risks from wastewater-grown greens.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Contamination of Market Spinach in Bangladesh
2024 FCT article quantitatively linking spinach Cd/Pb levels to excess lifetime cancer risk.
Read PaperTrace Metals in Tomatoes and Health Risks
2021 Nutrients study showing safe Cr/Zn but elevated Pb in urban tomatoes.
Read PaperCadmium and Lead in Onions Irrigated with Wastewater
2022 STOTEN paper reporting pollution index >1 and high human THQ for Cd in onions.
Read PaperAccumulation of Arsenic in Chinese Leafy Greens
2023 Chemosphere article mapping arsenic species and bioaccumulation factors in pak-choi.
Read PaperMetals and Pesticides in Urban Gardening Soils
2020 Environmental Research study assessing home-garden soil contamination and produce uptake.
Read PaperRisk Assessment of Cd, Pb, Ni in Pakistani Vegetables
2022 Foods article finding Pb hazard index >1 for adult consumers of spinach and coriander.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Transfer from Soil to Beans and Lentils in Turkey
2021 Toxics investigation indicating low translocation factors and overall safe consumption.
Read PaperHealth Risk Index of Metals in Edible Mushrooms
2024 Food Control assessment of cultivated vs wild mushrooms for Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, Cd.
Read PaperBioaccessibility of Metals in Canned Legumes
2023 Food Additives & Contaminants study on gastrointestinal availability of Pb/Cd after cooking.
Read PaperFish and Seafood Safety in Central Asia
2024 IJERPH review highlighting Hg in fish and As in shrimp as primary hazards.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Gulf of Guinea Fish
2023 Heliyon article showing Hg and As exceedances in Dentex and shrimp species from Ghana.
Read PaperMercury in Canned Tuna Products Sold in USA
2022 Food Chemistry quantifying total and methyl-Hg in 84 tuna cans across brands.
Read PaperArsenic Species in Shrimp and Crab from Bangladesh
2023 Toxics study detecting inorganic As dominance in crab but organic forms in shrimp.
Read PaperLead and Cadmium in Norwegian Salmon Fillets
2021 Food Control survey confirming Pb/Cd levels well below EU MLs for farmed salmon.
Read PaperMetals in Small Pelagic Fish from the Mediterranean
2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin comparing species-specific bioaccumulation patterns of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu.
Read PaperRisk Assessment of Metals in Egyptian Fish
2023 Frontiers in Veterinary Science study calculating hazard quotient <1 for most consumers.
Read PaperTotal Diet Study for Seafood Metals in Canada
2022 CFIA bulletin on Pb, Cd, Hg, As levels in common Canadian seafood commodities.
Read PaperCadmium Bioaccumulation in Oysters from China
2021 Chemosphere research linking water Cd and oyster trophic levels to human risk.
Read PaperTrace Metals in Seaweeds Used as Food
2023 EFSA dietary exposure statement on seaweed cadmium and inorganic arsenic contribution.
Read PaperMercury Exposure from Sushi Consumption
2020 Journal of Risk Research modelling sushi-eating scenarios and methyl-Hg exposure.
Read PaperMicroplastics-Bound Metals in Seafood
2023 PNAS Nexus paper discussing co-ingestion of microplastics and adsorbed metals.
Read PaperDietary Intake of Cd and Pb via Crayfish
2022 IJERPH article on Chinese crayfish consumption and associated non-cancer risk.
Read PaperMetals in Sea Salt vs Seafood Comparison
2024 Food Chemistry look at how gourmet sea salts can rival seafood for Pb content.
Read PaperMetal Loads in Lake-Farmed Tilapia
2023 Environmental Science & Pollution Research assessing consumer risk from tilapia fillets.
Read PaperHealth Risks from Arsenic in Bangladeshi Dry Fish
2021 Foods article finding inorganic As above FAO/WHO limit in several dried fish species.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Meat and Poultry, Noakhali (Bangladesh)
2023 IJIPH survey indicating Cd/Pb over permissible limits in chicken and beef.
Read PaperLead, Arsenic and Cadmium in Buffalo Milk
2025 Scientific Reports study on Pakistani buffalo milk metal exposure and HI calculation.
Read PaperMetals in Cow’s Milk and Cheese from Italy
2022 Food Additives & Contaminants B paper showing Pb highest in hard cheeses.
Read PaperArsenic in Goat Milk near Mining Sites
2024 Chemosphere article connecting mining-dust fallout to As in surrounding dairy farms.
Read PaperTrace Elements and Egg Quality in Free-Range vs Caged Hens
2024 Foods investigation reporting higher Pb in supermarket eggs, higher As in rural eggs.
Read PaperLead & Cd in Hen Eggs (Risk Monte Carlo)
2023 Journal of Food Protection probabilistic risk modelling of Iranian egg consumption.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Processed Meat Products in Spain
2020 Food Control study measuring Cr, Ni, Pb in sausages and pâtés.
Read PaperMercury in Whale Meat Sold in Japan
2021 Environmental Health article documenting high mean Hg (6 µg/g) in whale sashimi samples.
Read PaperTotal Diet Study for Metals in Australian Meat/Dairy
2022 FSANZ report covering national survey of Hg, Pb, Cd, As in meats and dairy foods.
Read PaperChromium and Nickel in Fermented Meat Products
2023 Nutrients paper on Cr/Ni migration from stainless equipment into salami and chorizo.
Read PaperCadmium Transfer into Cow’s Milk Grass→Milk Pathway
2021 STOTEN mechanistic study showing forage Cd levels directly drive milk Cd concentration.
Read PaperHealth Risks of Metals in Kefir and Yogurt
2022 Food Chemistry analysis indicating low Pb/Cd but occasional Cr exceedance in fermented dairy.
Read PaperEssential & Toxic Metals in Ethiopian Coffee Beans
2023 J Food Sci Technol report confirming no Pb/Cd detection in Ethiopian coffee beans.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Tea across China
2023 IJERPH meta-analysis of 227 studies on Pb, Cd, As, Cr in Chinese teas.
Read PaperLead and Cadmium in Herbal Teas Marketed in EU
2021 Foods investigation showing some herbal blends exceeding EU Pb limit (3 mg kg⁻¹).
Read PaperTrace Metals in Instant Coffee Brands
2022 STOTEN paper indicating elevated Ni in a subset of instant coffees.
Read PaperMetals in Cocoa Beans and Chocolate Products
2024 Food Chem Toxicol article measuring Cd hotspots in Latin-American cocoa beans.
Read PaperEnergy Drinks as a Source of Al and Pb
2021 ES&PR note on aluminum can leaching raising Al and Pb in sugary beverages.
Read PaperArsenic and Trace Metals in Fruit Juices Sold in UK
2023 Food Additives & Contaminants survey finding elevated As in some apple juices.
Read PaperHealth Risk of Cd, Pb & Cr in Wine Samples
2020 Food Chemistry study reporting Italian red wines occasionally over Pb ML.
Read PaperMetals in Craft Beer and Allergenic Implications
2022 Food Control research showing nickel release from kegs into sour beers.
Read PaperBioaccessibility of Hg in Tea Infusions
2024 Toxics article on in-vitro intestinal Hg uptake from brewed teas.
Read PaperZn, Pb, Cd & PAHs in Urban Honey
2024 Foods study of 35 urban honeys finding Pb exceedances in two samples.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Commercial Honey Brands in India
2021 EM&A article mapping metal contamination across five Indian states.
Read PaperLead & Arsenic in Cane Sugar Factories
2023 Brazilian J Food Technol study monitoring Pb/As during sugar production.
Read PaperMetals in Maple Syrup Produced in Canada
2022 Food Chemistry finding Cd and Pb below detection in 90% of syrups.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Risk in Palm Sap Sugar Thailand
2024 Toxics paper showing Pb > EU limit in 12% of palm sugar samples.
Read PaperContaminant Profile of Date Syrup
2023 IJERPH analysis detecting high nickel in artisanal date syrups.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Survey in Molasses-Based Feeds
2020 Food Additives & Contaminants B note on Pb and Cu in animal molasses.
Read PaperToxic Metals in Alternative Sweeteners
2021 FCT investigation of stevia, monk-fruit, etc. revealing minimal metal load.
Read PaperMicrobial & Heavy-Metal Contamination in Herbal Medicines (Saudi Arabia)
2024 BMC Complement Med Therapies report finding all 32 products above metal limits.
Read PaperHeavy Metals in Botanical Dietary Supplements (UAE)
2020 Scientific Reports study on 277 UAE herbal/nutritional supplements and cumulative intake.
Read PaperLead, Arsenic and Mercury in Ayurvedic Herbal Products
2022 JAMA Network Open survey showing >20% of online-purchased Ayurveda products contain at least one metal.
Read PaperTrace Metals in Traditional Chinese Medicines
2023 FCT paper quantifying Pb, Cd, Hg, As in 60 TCM powders and pills.
Read PaperMetal Contaminants in Turmeric Powders Sold in US
2021 Foods investigation discovering Pb-chromate adulteration in some imported turmeric.
Read PaperCadmium & Lead in Commercial Paprika Samples
2022 Chemosphere study finding EU ML exceedances in 15% of sampled paprikas.
Read PaperHeavy-Metal Profile of Nutritional Supplements for Athletes
2020 Nutrients survey noting creatine powders had the lowest Pb/Cd among tested products.
Read PaperRisk Assessment of Metals in Over-the-Counter Mineral Supplements
2024 Food Control study modelling adult and adolescent exposure to Pb, Cd, As from multivitamins.
Read PaperDietary Exposure to Heavy Metals via Seaweeds in Europe
2023 EFSA scientific report estimating Cd, inorganic As, Pb intake for ‘seaweed consumers’.
Read PaperCadmium and Arsenic in Commercial Nori and Wakame
2021 Food Chemistry determination of Cd and inorganic As in Japanese and Korean seaweeds.
Read PaperMethylmercury in Microalgae-Based Supplements
2023 Toxics paper revealing notable MeHg in 3 of 12 chlorella/spirulina products.
Read PaperMetals in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
2024 Food Additives & Contaminants A study comparing metal profiles of plant burgers vs beef.
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