Heavy metals in Almond

Quick read

Almond in the HMI library has 190 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ca, CrIII, mercury (Hg), K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and Sr from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →}^{6Marques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, Domingo JL · 2021Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksBiological Trace Element ResearchRead source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 190 results from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the almond was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}
Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}

Almond overview

Almond in the HMI library has 190 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ca, CrIII, Hg, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and Sr from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →}^{6Marques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, Domingo JL · 2021Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksBiological Trace Element ResearchRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in almond, as sold from 366 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 2.2 to 352 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In the US Total Diet Study, almond, as sold had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 25.8 µg/kg (Begday et al. 2026) to 80 µg/kg (Caridi et al. 2021).^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{7Caridi F, Acri G, Belvedere A, Crupi V, D’Agostino M, Marguccio S, Messina M, Paladini G, Venuti V, Majolino D · 2021Evaluation of the Radiological and Chemical Risk for Public Health from Flour Sample InvestigationApplied Sciences 2021, 11, 3646Read source →} For cadmium, 4 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 0.3 µg/kg (Pehlivan et al. 2008) to 15 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024).^{8Pehlivan E, Arslan G, Gode F, Altun T, Özcan MM · 2008Determination of some inorganic metals in edible vegetable oils by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)Grasas y AceitesRead source →}^{9Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the almond came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as almond

This page covers almond in 4 forms kept separate in every comparison: almond, as sold (163 results), almond, flour or meal (11 results), almond, oil (9 results) and almond, cooked (7 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →}^{6Marques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, Domingo JL · 2021Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksBiological Trace Element ResearchRead source →} Foods made from almond that have their own pages, such as almond beverage, are covered there.

Results stay on the basis each source reports: as sold or fresh weight, dry weight, or unstated. Dry-weight, as-sold and unstated results are never pooled, and no moisture conversion is applied.

Heavy metal contamination profile of almond

The table holds every extracted almond result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 190 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →}^{6Marques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, Domingo JL · 2021Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksBiological Trace Element ResearchRead source →} Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

9 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 12 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 4 values from 1 source failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of almond, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.

Filter findings

AnalyteFood formCollection regionCollection periodSourceCompare withComparable findings only

165 of 165 findings · 26 analytes

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Almond findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food form	Collection scope	Finding (µg/kg)

27 findings · 10 studies
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2019	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011–2019	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2015	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2015	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2017–2018	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2017	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2013	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005–2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2008	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	not detected.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016Dry weight	median.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	median.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldĆwieląg-Drabek et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

24 findings · 9 studies
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EMRO2014–2019	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2019	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011–2019	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2006	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005–2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2008	median.
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	not detected.
Almond, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2019Dry weight	median.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	median.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

16 findings · 5 studies
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2018–2022	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2022	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2023	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2012	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2022	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2021–2023	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005–2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2008	median.
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldRuzik et al. 2022	Polish marketsCollection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	median.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldRuzik et al. 2022	Polish marketsCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

4 findings · 2 studies
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2021	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016	median.
Almond, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

8 findings · 3 studies
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2001	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005–2014	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2008	median.
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	median.
Almond, as soldBielecka et al. 2021	all samples2021Basis not stated	mean.

9 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2015	EU Member State submissions to EFSA, all samples (LB)2003–2012	mean.Same samples: 2,100 µg/kg (percentile)
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2015	EU Member State submissions to EFSA, all samples (LB)2003–2012	percentile.
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2015	EU Member State submissions to EFSA, all samples (UB)2003–2012	mean.Same samples: 2,100 µg/kg (percentile)
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2015	EU Member State submissions to EFSA, all samples (UB)2003–2012	percentile.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldĆwieląg-Drabek et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

9 findings · 7 studies · 3 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013	mean.
Almond, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013	mean.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 300 µg/kg (minimum); 300 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldĆwieląg-Drabek et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.Same samples: 320 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldĆwieląg-Drabek et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	max.
Almond, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	retail product 8 (almond drink)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008	median.

2 findings · 1 study
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Almond, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.

3 findings · 2 studies
Almond, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.

6 findings · 4 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 100 µg/kg (minimum); 100 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

4 findings · 4 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 7,100 µg/kg (minimum); 7,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
Almond, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.

2 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 19,200 µg/kg (minimum); 19,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.

5 findings · 4 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 14,300 µg/kg (minimum); 16,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	sample value.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	sample value.
Almond, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 3 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 17,500 µg/kg (minimum); 18,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, oilPehlivan et al. 2008	market sampleCollection date unreported	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.

2 findings · 1 study
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 1,510,000 µg/kg (minimum); 1,710,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Almond, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	retail product 8 (almond drink)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.
Almond, as soldMarques et al. 2021	all samples2021	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 684,000 µg/kg (minimum); 695,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 1,340,000 µg/kg (minimum); 1,380,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
Almond, as soldAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, cookedAkçay et al. 2023	market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)2021Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 5,000 µg/kg (minimum); 5,200 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	mean.Same samples: 857,000 µg/kg (minimum); 964,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	min.
Almond, as soldGrembecka et al. 2013	products of this type bought in Gdansk market and beekeeper2004–2005	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Almond, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S5, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Almond, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	median.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

Source summaries retain their original statistic, material, basis and censoring. Each source drawer identifies methods and overlapping samples. No matched reference or pooled distribution is inferred.

HMI almond Pb reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Pb reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤4	≤18.5	≤52
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤20	≤53

53 reference units; 5 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	46	20%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	20%
Grembecka et al. 2013	1	20%
Marques et al. 2021	2	20%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	20%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

5 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-db9eadc81078:de924734a21c

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Pb reference · Almond, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI almond Pb reference · Almond, as sold, dry weight. Almond, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤15	≤15	≤15
Alternative weighting	≤15	≤15	≤15

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-1d81b84e4b0d:0eb94205c030

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Cd reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Cd reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤12	5–21 (bounded)	18–30 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤12	5–21 (bounded)	19–30 (bounded)

41 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	37	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Grembecka et al. 2013	1	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-8e62f5eaf042:979979f651b4

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Cd reference · Almond, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI almond Cd reference · Almond, as sold, dry weight. Almond, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	≤10	≤10
Alternative weighting	≤10	≤10	≤10

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-1dfa68360558:bbabb54fb82c

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond tAs reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond tAs reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	4.1–12 (bounded)	12–42.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤10	4.1–12 (bounded)	12–43 (bounded)

34 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	31	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-c6f09031ad4a:14ef99143b17

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond iAs reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond iAs reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.03	≤1.96	≤3.9
Alternative weighting	≤0.03	≤1.96	≤3.9

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-9de94c350c72:b533c13390b5

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond tHg reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond tHg reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	≤5
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	≤5

15 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	12	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-937d8e56f5ed:96c9cbaba36e

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Ni reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Ni reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤50	≤200	510
Alternative weighting	≤50	≤200	510

6 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Grembecka et al. 2013	1	33%
Marques et al. 2021	2	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-dde2c2da8568:90e2121e0524

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Cr reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Cr reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	72	75	200
Alternative weighting	72	75	200

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-28c6b36e0ebe:94a17527e87c

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Al reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Al reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	3050	3050	3050
Alternative weighting	3050	3050	3050

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-f7f480ee77fb:2ec2b3bad783

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Sn reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Sn reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-a3b446fa6e2b:35dadadcf493

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond U reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond U reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1.3	≤13.2	1.3–25 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤1.3	≤13.2	1.3–25 (bounded)

5 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%
Marques et al. 2021	2	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-879782132eec:0b7d209c0b59

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Co reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Co reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤25	≤25	≤25
Alternative weighting	≤25	≤25	≤25

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Marques et al. 2021	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Marques et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Marques et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-6e18f61b48ba:68577e4bd84a

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Mn reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Mn reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	420	438	456
Alternative weighting	420	438	456

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Marques et al. 2021	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Marques et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Marques et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-8a8e4d96f7cd:350b2401db48

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond V reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond V reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤50	≤50	≤50
Alternative weighting	≤50	≤50	≤50

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Marques et al. 2021	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Marques et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Marques et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-06df8ee247a4:94976a2f0359

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI almond Hg reference · Almond, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI almond Hg reference · Almond, as sold. Almond, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤50	≤50	≤50
Alternative weighting	≤50	≤50	≤50

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Marques et al. 2021	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for almond, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Marques et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for almond, as sold on this basis in the completed almond ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Marques et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:almond-7250e2ce19f0:f9d224fb8938

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

How metals reach almond

No study in the library compared almond from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in almond, as sold pools 53 subgroup units from 5 sampling families, with a median of below 18.5 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and below 52 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →}^{6Marques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, Domingo JL · 2021Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksBiological Trace Element ResearchRead source →}^{9Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} For cadmium in almond, as sold, the reference median was between 5 and 21 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 12 to between 18 and 30 µg/kg across 41 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{5Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2013Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047Read source →} For total arsenic in almond, as sold, the reference median was between 4.1 and 12 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 10 to between 12 and 42.5 µg/kg across 34 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, almond, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (2.2 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (352 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in PAHO (11.6 µg/kg) and the highest in EMRO (15 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted almond, as sold samples in EURO had cadmium lower at 6 µg/kg, against 13 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In another study, targeted almond, as sold samples in EURO had cadmium lower at 7 µg/kg, against 13 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed almond in the same study and group. Almond, cooked (market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)) had lead higher at 73 µg/kg, against 55.2 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (almond, as sold).^{10Akçay Kulluk D, Gökmen F, Dursun N, Özcan MM, Lemiashonak V · 2023Characterization of Heavy Metals in Some Edible Dried Fruits and Nuts Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission SpectroscopyErwerbs-Obstbau (Springer); accepted 26 November 2022; volume and pages not printed in the filed PDFRead source →}

Forms differ in water content, so a per-kilogram difference is not by itself a measured removal or gain of metal.

Mitigation for almond

Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.

No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing almond for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 100 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.4 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 50 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 3 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 700 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.

Buying and verifying almond

No maximum level for metals in almond was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.

Exposure from almond

No source in the library converted almond concentrations into a verified estimate of intake for a defined population. Concentrations describe the food, not individual risk.

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Every source record that names almond was decided on its content: 19 occurrence extracted, 19 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.

Almond FAQs

What heavy metals are found in almond?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ca, CrIII, Hg, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and Sr in almond, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{4Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in almond, as sold from 366 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 2.2 to 352 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in almond?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, almond, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (2.2 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (352 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in PAHO (11.6 µg/kg) and the highest in EMRO (15 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Does processing change heavy metals in almond?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same almond.^{10Akçay Kulluk D, Gökmen F, Dursun N, Özcan MM, Lemiashonak V · 2023Characterization of Heavy Metals in Some Edible Dried Fruits and Nuts Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission SpectroscopyErwerbs-Obstbau (Springer); accepted 26 November 2022; volume and pages not printed in the filed PDFRead source →} Almond, cooked (market samples, Konya Province, Turkey (2021 products)) had lead higher at 73 µg/kg, against 55.2 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (almond, as sold).^{10Akçay Kulluk D, Gökmen F, Dursun N, Özcan MM, Lemiashonak V · 2023Characterization of Heavy Metals in Some Edible Dried Fruits and Nuts Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission SpectroscopyErwerbs-Obstbau (Springer); accepted 26 November 2022; volume and pages not printed in the filed PDFRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in almond is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 4 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{11European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 10.8 µg/kg (mean) in almond, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{11European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

References

Works cited on this page, in citation-number order. See Sources for this page’s source inventory. Each title links to a source record with bibliographic details, reported findings, and document provenance.

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisInna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, and Konstantin V. Kharin · Izvestiya KGTU (KSTU News) · 2026 · doi.org/10.46845/1997-3071-2026-81-57-70Peer-reviewed
Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksSonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, and Tuan Phan · Scientific Reports · 2026 · doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44766-0Peer-reviewed
Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniquesGrembecka M and Szefer P · Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 185:4033-4047 · 2013 · doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2847-yPeer-reviewed
Essential and Non-essential Trace Elements in Milks and Plant-Based DrinksMarques M, Correig E, Capdevila E, Gargallo E, Gonzalez N, Nadal M, et al. · Biological Trace Element Research · 2021 · doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-03021-5Peer-reviewed
Evaluation of the Radiological and Chemical Risk for Public Health from Flour Sample InvestigationCaridi F, Acri G, Belvedere A, Crupi V, D’Agostino M, Marguccio S, et al. · Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 3646 · 2021 · doi.org/10.3390/app11083646Peer-reviewed
Determination of some inorganic metals in edible vegetable oils by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)Pehlivan E, Arslan G, Gode F, Altun T, and Özcan MM · Grasas y Aceites · 2008 · doi.org/10.3989/gya.2008.v59.i3.514Peer-reviewed
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Characterization of Heavy Metals in Some Edible Dried Fruits and Nuts Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission SpectroscopyAkçay Kulluk D, Gökmen F, Dursun N, Özcan MM, and Lemiashonak V · Erwerbs-Obstbau (Springer); accepted 26 November 2022; volume and pages not printed in the filed PDF · 2023 · doi.org/10.1007/s10341-022-00815-2Peer-reviewed
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government

Sources

Browse Almond Sources for sources cited on this page and additional discovery candidates. The searchable index distinguishes verified citation use from discovery relationships whose relevance has not been established.

Update history

22 October 2026: Rebuilt from every almond record in the library: 19 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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Heavy metals in Almond

Almond overview

What counts as almond

Heavy metal contamination profile of almond

How metals reach almond

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for almond

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing almond for metals

Buying and verifying almond

Exposure from almond

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Almond FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Referenced by

Graph View

Heavy metals in Almond

Almond overview

What counts as almond

Heavy metal contamination profile of almond

How metals reach almond

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for almond

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing almond for metals

Buying and verifying almond

Exposure from almond

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Almond FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View