Heavy metals in Bologna luncheon meat

Quick read

Bologna luncheon meat in the HMI library has 144 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn and V 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →}^{6Spungen 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 →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and methylmercury and others, in 144 results 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the bologna luncheon meat 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}

Bologna luncheon meat overview

Bologna luncheon meat in the HMI library has 144 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn and V 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →}^{6Spungen 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 →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in bologna luncheon meat, as sold from 446 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3.35 to 8 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, bologna luncheon meat, 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 2 µg/kg (Stojanović et al. 2021) to 10 µg/kg (Korfali et al. 2013).^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →} For cadmium, 3 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 2.4 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 54 µg/kg (Korfali et al. 2013).^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{6Spungen 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 bologna luncheon meat came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as bologna luncheon meat

This page covers bologna luncheon meat in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: bologna luncheon meat, canned (78 results), bologna luncheon meat, as sold (62 results) and bologna luncheon meat, cooked (4 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →}^{6Spungen 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 →}

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 bologna luncheon meat

The table holds every extracted bologna luncheon meat result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 144 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →}^{6Spungen 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 →} 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 →}

34 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 15 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 bologna luncheon meat, 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

Bologna luncheon meat 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)

17 findings · 3 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 1 µg/kg (minimum); 32 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	all storage periods and producersCollection date unreported	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 3 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 5 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 0 y 8 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 1 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 2 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer D, stored 4 y 4 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer E, stored 6 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 31.4 µg/kg (minimum); 523 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Halifax 19861986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal 19881986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Ottawa 1985 (preliminary study)1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Toronto 19881986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Vancouver 19871986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Winnipeg 19871986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
17 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2015	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2012	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2005	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2006–2017	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2005	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2006–2016	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2005	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2006–2017	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 7.2 µg/kg (minimum); 15.6 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFMSE et al. 2022	single retail product, Egyptian supermarket2020–2021Basis not stated	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.

11 findings · 3 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 25 µg/kg (minimum); 75 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	all storage periods and producersCollection date unreported	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 3 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 5 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 0 y 8 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 1 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 2 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer D, stored 4 y 4 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer E, stored 6 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 1.13 µg/kg (minimum); 5.09 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
13 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2015	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO1999–2018	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO1999–2018	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2010	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 3.65 µg/kg (minimum); 6.75 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFMSE et al. 2022	single retail product, Egyptian supermarket2020–2021Basis not stated	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.

8 findings · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	all storage periods and producersCollection date unreported	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 3 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 5 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 0 y 8 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 1 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 2 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer D, stored 4 y 4 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer E, stored 6 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
2 findings · 2 studies
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2022	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

3 findings · 2 studies
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.

11 findings · 3 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 2003	Ottawa composite (retail Oct-Nov 2000)1998–2000	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 2003	Whitehorse composite (retail Jan-Feb 1998)1998–2000	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 8 µg/kg (minimum); 30 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	all storage periods and producersCollection date unreported	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 3 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer B, stored 5 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 0 y 8 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 1 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer C, stored 2 y 1 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer D, stored 4 y 4 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedStojanović et al. 2021	producer E, stored 6 y 0 m at up to 25 CCollection date unreported	sample value.
2 findings · 2 studies
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2015	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

2 findings · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
4 findings · 3 studies
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 50 µg/kg (minimum); 70 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

2 findings · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 1,500 µg/kg (minimum); 7,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat, highest AlCollection date unreported	max.
2 findings · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 370 µg/kg (minimum); 2,990 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
3 findings · 2 studies
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.

2 findings · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 500 µg/kg (minimum); 950 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFMSE et al. 2022	single retail product, Egyptian supermarket2020–2021Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 12,000 µg/kg (minimum); 25,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFMSE et al. 2022	single retail product, Egyptian supermarket2020–2021Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 11,000 µg/kg (minimum); 22,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	min.
Bologna luncheon meat, cannedKorfali et al. 2013	luncheon meat (food type), Lebanese supermarketsCollection date unreported	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldFMSE et al. 2022	single retail product, Egyptian supermarket2020–2021Basis not stated	sample value.

2 findings · 1 study
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bologna luncheon meat, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

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 bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned. Bologna luncheon meat, canned; 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	≤2	≤2	5
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤2	5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Stojanović et al. 2021	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, canned 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

Stojanović et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, canned on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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

Stojanović et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bologna-luncheon-meat-05ac77dfadfa:7458cc7b63f8

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 bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	≤4	≤7
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤4	≤7

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	64	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-3b3ece82d25b:1be86d63c093

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 bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Pb reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked. Bologna luncheon meat, cooked; 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	5.5	5.5	5.5
Alternative weighting	5.5	5.5	5.5

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, cooked on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-3d5a65b4c5ac:36eec687e006

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 bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned. Bologna luncheon meat, canned; 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	1.49	3.5
Alternative weighting	1	1.49	3.5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Stojanović et al. 2021	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, canned 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

Stojanović et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, canned on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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

Stojanović et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bologna-luncheon-meat-26ff7af22ed3:65faa07f8635

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 bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	1.2	1.6–2 (bounded)	4
Alternative weighting	1.2	1.6–2 (bounded)	4

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	74	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-970a860fc1c7:311973cd0cb9

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 bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Cd reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked. Bologna luncheon meat, cooked; 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	13	13	13
Alternative weighting	13	13	13

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, cooked on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-d75940f7c203:7a18f8f6dc18

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 bologna luncheon meat tAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat tAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned. Bologna luncheon meat, canned; 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	≤1.2	≤1.2	4.96
Alternative weighting	≤1.2	≤1.2	4.96

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Stojanović et al. 2021	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, canned 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

Stojanović et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, canned on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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

Stojanović et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bologna-luncheon-meat-275edced2432:18fc21d76093

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 bologna luncheon meat tAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat tAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	≤3	≤3.97	≤4.97
Alternative weighting	≤3	≤3.97	≤4.97

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-b60087e95a6b:fe129930905e

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 bologna luncheon meat iAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat iAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	3	4.5	6
Alternative weighting	3	4.5	6

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-748b417fef23:76616db931f9

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 bologna luncheon meat iAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat iAs reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked. Bologna luncheon meat, cooked; 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	4.5	4.5	4.5
Alternative weighting	4.5	4.5	4.5

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, cooked on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-37575b5ace0f:c7710979080e

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 bologna luncheon meat tHg reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat tHg reference · Bologna luncheon meat, canned. Bologna luncheon meat, canned; 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	0.36	1.5	2.12
Alternative weighting	0.36	1.5	2.12

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Dabeka et al. 2003	2	50%
Stojanović et al. 2021	7	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, canned 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-e702e7c13b90:270311be4dea

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 bologna luncheon meat tHg reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat tHg reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	≤1
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	≤1

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	7	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bologna luncheon meat, 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-d878d1f18dc4:49e8e2c45ff8

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 bologna luncheon meat Ni reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Ni reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	≤40	≤40	≤40
Alternative weighting	≤40	≤40	≤40

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-31117e7ee8df:b64daa695ea9

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 bologna luncheon meat Cr reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Cr reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-1480d38c0039:2a91c64236ec

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 bologna luncheon meat Sn reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Sn reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	35	72.5	110
Alternative weighting	35	72.5	110

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-0c85e1eec180:bc7653295af5

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 bologna luncheon meat Sn reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat Sn reference · Bologna luncheon meat, cooked. Bologna luncheon meat, cooked; 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	12	12
Alternative weighting	12	12	12

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for bologna luncheon meat, cooked on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-5fa6125b0d68:47771c58b988

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 bologna luncheon meat U reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bologna luncheon meat U reference · Bologna luncheon meat, as sold. Bologna luncheon meat, 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	1.4	2.2
Alternative weighting	≤1	1.4	2.2

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 bologna luncheon meat, 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold on this basis in the completed bologna luncheon meat 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:bologna-luncheon-meat-57433ed96822:9f02e2e54dc6

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 bologna luncheon meat

No study in the library compared bologna luncheon meat 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 bologna luncheon meat, as sold pools 68 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of below 4 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and below 7 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 →}^{6Spungen 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 lead in bologna luncheon meat, canned, the reference median was below 2 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 2 to 5 µg/kg across 7 units.^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →} For cadmium in bologna luncheon meat, as sold, the reference median was between 1.6 and 2 µg/kg, with a middle half from 1.2 to 4 µg/kg across 77 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, bologna luncheon meat, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (3.35 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (8 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 (0.84 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (4 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

In one study, lead across 6 groups of bologna luncheon meat ranged from 31.4 µg/kg (Winnipeg 1987) to 523 µg/kg (Toronto 1988); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →} In another study, cadmium across 6 groups of bologna luncheon meat ranged from 1 µg/kg (producer B, stored 5 y 0 m at up to 25 C) to 13.3 µg/kg (producer B, stored 3 y 1 m at up to 25 C); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed bologna luncheon meat in the same study and group. Bologna luncheon meat, canned (5 city composites) had lead higher at 70.3 µg/kg, against 10.3 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bologna luncheon meat, as sold).^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →} In another study, bologna luncheon meat, cooked (WPRO) had lead lower at 5.5 µg/kg, against 8 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bologna luncheon meat, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

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

Mitigation for bologna luncheon meat

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 bologna luncheon meat for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.4 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 0.4 µg/kg (Stojanović et al. 2021) to 1,000 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 →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 1.2 µg/kg (Stojanović et al. 2021) to 8.26 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 →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →}

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

Buying and verifying bologna luncheon meat

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

Exposure from bologna luncheon meat

No source in the library converted bologna luncheon meat 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 bologna luncheon meat 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.

Bologna luncheon meat FAQs

What heavy metals are found in bologna luncheon meat?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn and V in bologna luncheon meat, 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 →}^{3Korfali SI, Abou Hamdan W · 2013Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansJournal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30Read source →}^{4Stojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, Balaban M, Antić V · 2021Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansResearch Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1)Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in bologna luncheon meat, as sold from 446 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3.35 to 8 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 bologna luncheon meat?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, bologna luncheon meat, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (3.35 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (8 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 (0.84 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (4 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 bologna luncheon meat?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same bologna luncheon meat.^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →} Bologna luncheon meat, canned (5 city composites) had lead higher at 70.3 µg/kg, against 10.3 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bologna luncheon meat, as sold).^{5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in bologna luncheon meat 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 →}^{7Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · 2012The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →} Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012 reported inorganic arsenic at 6 µg/kg (mean) in bologna luncheon meat, as sold from all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites).^{7Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · 2012The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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
Essentail and Toxic Metals in Lebanese Marketed Canned Food: Impact of Metal CansKorfali SI and Abou Hamdan W · Journal of Food Research 2(1) (2013) 19-30 · 2013 · doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v2n1p19Peer-reviewed
Determination of toxic elements in meat products from Serbia packaged in tinplate cansStojanović B, Janković S, Đorđević V, Marjanović S, Vasilev D, Stojanović Z, et al. · Research Square preprint, posted 26 February 2021 (version 1) · 2021 · doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-271859/v1Preprint
Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Dabeka RW and McKenzie AD · Journal of AOAC International · 1995 · academic.oup.comPeer-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
The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region · 2012 · www.cfs.gov.hkGovernment

Sources

Browse Bologna luncheon meat 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 bologna luncheon meat record in the library: 10 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

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Food and Drug Administration

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Food Additives

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Heavy metals in Bologna luncheon meat

Bologna luncheon meat overview

What counts as bologna luncheon meat

Heavy metal contamination profile of bologna luncheon meat

How metals reach bologna luncheon meat

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for bologna luncheon meat

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing bologna luncheon meat for metals

Buying and verifying bologna luncheon meat

Exposure from bologna luncheon meat

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Bologna luncheon meat FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View