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Tomato, cucumber, green bell pepper, celery and asparagus illustrating asparagus ingredient context.

Heavy metals in Asparagus

Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic and total mercury in asparagus: monitoring results, studies, references by form and basis, limits, testing and controls.

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Asparagus in the HMI library has 78 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, I, Mo and Sr from 10 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 →3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source →5Spungen 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 →6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →

Asparagus overview

Asparagus in the HMI library has 78 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, I, Mo and Sr from 10 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 →3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source →5Spungen 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 →6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in asparagus, as sold from 1,147 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 2 to 1,110 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, asparagus, cooked had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 27 composites from 2017–2020.2U.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 2.2 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 5.2 µg/kg (Norton et al. 2015).3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →5Spungen 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 → Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022 reported cadmium at 11.4 µg/kg (mean) in asparagus, as sold from GEMS/Food contaminants database.6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →

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

What counts as asparagus

This page covers asparagus in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: asparagus, as sold (68 results), asparagus, cooked (9 results) and asparagus, canned (1 result).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 →3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source →5Spungen 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 →6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →

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 asparagus

The table holds every extracted asparagus result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 78 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 →3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source →5Spungen 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 →6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read 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 →

8 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 3 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of asparagus, 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.

About this table
Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence
Asparagus 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 formCollection scopeFinding (µg/kg)ComparisonEvidence
17 findings · 3 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2001–2019median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2000median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2017median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2006–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2016–2017median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2005–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2000–2017median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodSEARO2010median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodSEARO2012–2013median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2007–2012median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2007–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmedian.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmean.Same samples: 14.8 µg/kg (maximum)
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmin.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2016–2017Dry weightmedian.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
Asparagus, cookedSpungen et al. 2024all samples2018–2020mean.
14 findings · 4 studies
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2001–2019median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2000–2006median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2018median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2003–2019median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2005–2018median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2009–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmedian.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmean.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmin.
Asparagus, as soldNorton et al. 2015SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedmax.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2016–2019Dry weightmedian.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightnot detected.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightnot detected.
Asparagus, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not statedmean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
Asparagus, cookedSpungen et al. 2024all samples2018–2020mean.
5 findings · 2 studies
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2023median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2000–2023median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2012median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2013–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
4 findings · 2 studies
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2011median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2022median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2011Dry weightmedian.
Asparagus, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not statedmean.
4 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2017median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2000–2001median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2015–2016median.
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2001median.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
2 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightnot detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
5 findings · 3 studies
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2000median.
Asparagus, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013mean.
Asparagus, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013mean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightnot detected.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightnot detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2001median.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cannedBenoy et al. 1971canned, tin from containerCollection date unreportedsample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, cookedFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
3 findings · 2 studies
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
2 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
2 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
2 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
2 findings · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026Great Dyke serpentinic ultramafic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
Asparagus, as soldChigona et al. 2026surrounding granitic geological environmentCollection date unreportedDry weightmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Asparagus, as soldVentura et al. 2025pooled TDS sample2014–2016sample value.
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 asparagus Pb reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤5≤7≤10
Alternative weighting≤5≤7≤9.63

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food61100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-cec62f461abc:978b0332f576

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 asparagus Pb reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference48011101740
Alternative weighting48011101740

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-174f7ce51842:b6caba4aecbf

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 asparagus Pb reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤4≤4≤4
Alternative weighting≤4≤4≤4

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-ac6158469eed:8a542a9dacd3

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 asparagus Cd reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤33–5 (bounded)11.5–15 (bounded)
Alternative weighting0.016–3 (bounded)4–9 (bounded)17.5–17.8 (bounded)

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food51100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-ab8edf335408:9cb5a89432e2

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 asparagus Cd reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1020–25 (bounded)40
Alternative weighting≤1020–25 (bounded)40

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food350%
Chigona et al. 2026250%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

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:asparagus-1696760afa90:3c7b1bbc0738

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 asparagus Cd reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference7.21024
Alternative weighting7.31124

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-de6142b5669a:d3f662f4c76b

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 asparagus tAs reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤7≤11≤11
Alternative weighting≤7≤11≤11

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2950%
Ventura et al. 2025150%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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:asparagus-3b0d258dc2cd:dbddec176002

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 asparagus tAs reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤33.54.1
Alternative weighting≤33.53.9

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-6f8f3d81ff68:4339f63f1637

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 asparagus iAs reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤13.96.95–16.9 (bounded)13.9–20 (bounded)
Alternative weighting≤13.96.95–16.9 (bounded)13.9–20 (bounded)

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-350064e1e027:4f5b82ee09a2

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 asparagus iAs reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI asparagus iAs reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight. Asparagus, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference13.913.913.9
Alternative weighting13.913.913.9

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-1294803096f2:90aaa9ac0b7e

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 asparagus tHg reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1≤1≤2.2
Alternative weighting≤1≤1≤2.2

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food17100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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 asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-06d316f5038e:3ce8e37d6f47

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 asparagus tHg reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1≤1≤1
Alternative weighting≤1≤1≤1

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-65d42d857465:ae7a8ffd53e5

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 asparagus Ni reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI asparagus Ni reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight. Asparagus, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤10≤10≤10
Alternative weighting≤10≤10≤10

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Chigona et al. 20261100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Chigona et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-9fef63848cf5:195c63f63951

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 asparagus Ni reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference95130180
Alternative weighting95130180

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-d8c9c03dfb05:9ff00f0651e3

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 asparagus Cr reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI asparagus Cr reference · Asparagus, as sold, dry weight. Asparagus, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤10≤10≤10
Alternative weighting≤10≤10≤10

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Chigona et al. 20262100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Chigona et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-790ea5ca6c93:50bd38ba6bd5

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 asparagus Cr reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤50≤50≤50
Alternative weighting≤50≤50≤50

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-a2bb5c90506a:72430f1a31d7

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 asparagus U reference · Asparagus, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1≤1≤1
Alternative weighting≤1≤1≤1

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, cooked 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 asparagus, cooked on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-4c9e186e88b0:a414fed3eb8f

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 asparagus Co reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference171717
Alternative weighting171717

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Ventura et al. 20251100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-939b1c496786:252a2052f19f

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 asparagus Se reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference313131
Alternative weighting313131

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Ventura et al. 20251100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-c38a74dc21d7:5b307b694a51

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 asparagus I reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference656565
Alternative weighting656565

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Ventura et al. 20251100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-8adf8560611c:5007a358c654

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 asparagus Mo reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference282828
Alternative weighting282828

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Ventura et al. 20251100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-7037d9c31a31:085c004653f9

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 asparagus Sr reference · Asparagus, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference647647647
Alternative weighting647647647

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Ventura et al. 20251100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for asparagus, 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

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for asparagus, as sold on this basis in the completed asparagus 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:asparagus-38c77f94e833:513850a289cc

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.

1 dataset

How metals reach asparagus

No study in the library compared asparagus 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 asparagus, as sold pools 61 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of below 7 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 5 (lower quartile) and below 10 µg/kg (upper quartile).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For lead in asparagus, cooked, the reference median was below 4 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 4 to below 4 µg/kg across 27 units.2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → For cadmium in asparagus, as sold, the reference median was between 20 and 25 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 10 to 40 µg/kg across 5 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source →

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, asparagus, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in SEARO (2 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (1,110 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 WPRO (6 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (45 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Processing, cooking and preparation

No processing study for metals in this food is in the library yet.

Mitigation for asparagus

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 asparagus for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 2 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 3,000 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 0.8 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 101 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 asparagus

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

Exposure from asparagus

No source in the library converted asparagus 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 asparagus was decided on its content: 10 occurrence extracted, 10 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.

Asparagus FAQs

What heavy metals are found in asparagus?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, I, Mo and Sr in asparagus, 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 →3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →4Chigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, Nondo N, Mavunga S, Nota T · 2026Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957Read source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in asparagus, as sold from 1,147 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 2 to 1,110 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 asparagus?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, asparagus, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in SEARO (2 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (1,110 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 WPRO (6 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (45 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

How much of the arsenic in asparagus 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 →7European 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 3.1 µg/kg (mean) in asparagus, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.7European 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.

  1. GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
  2. FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
  3. Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKNorton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, et al. · The Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscript · 2015 · doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.130Peer-reviewed
  4. Human Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of Wild Foods and Geophagic Material Along the Great Dyke and Surrounding Areas in ZimbabweChigona A, Mapanda F, Benhura C, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Wuta M, et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2026, 23, 957 · 2026 · doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23080957Peer-reviewed
  5. 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
  6. Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
  7. 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 Asparagus 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 asparagus record in the library: 10 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View