Heavy metals in Bread

Quick read

Bread in the HMI library has 776 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, B, Ba, CrIII, CrVI, I, Mg, Na, Sr and Tl from 30 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{6Ahmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, Dargahi A · 2025The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentScientific Reports 15:2710 (2025)Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and total mercury and others, in 776 results from 30 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}
Main drivers:
Bread, as sold from bread from bakeries using coal ovens, Jalingo had lead higher at 296 µg/kg, against 181 µg/kg for bread from bakeries using electric ovens, Jalingo in the same study.^{7Tutuwa JA, Bando CD, Tadawus RH, Ifraimu D, Aigbogun BS, Nuhu I, Jesse PS, Agbu TD · 2023Assessement of the Influence of Baking Fuel Types on the Residues of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Bread from Jalingo, Taraba StateJournal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS 2(1): 25-31Read 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 →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}

Bread overview

Bread in the HMI library has 776 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, B, Ba, CrIII, CrVI, I, Mg, Na, Sr and Tl from 30 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{6Ahmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, Dargahi A · 2025The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentScientific Reports 15:2710 (2025)Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in bread, as sold from 6 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 7 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, GEMS/Food gave subgroup medians from 14 to 16.5 µg/kg from 8 results.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead 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 40.7 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018) to 330 µg/kg (Loutfy et al. 2012).^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} For cadmium, 3 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 15.9 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018) to 48.2 µg/kg (Loutfy et al. 2012).^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. Bread, as sold from Barbari, traditional oven, after baking had Co higher at 50 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all bread types, industrial oven in the same study.^{8Ghasemi S, Hashemi M, Gholian Aval M, Safarian M, Khanzadi S, Orooji A, Tavakoly Sany SB · 2022Effect of Baking Methods Types on Residues of Heavy Metals in the Different Breads Produced with Wheat Flour in Iran: A Case Study of MashhadJournal of Chemical Health Risks 12(1), 105-113Read source →}

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

What counts as bread

This page covers bread in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: bread, as sold (730 results), bread, cooked (40 results) and bread, flour or meal (6 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{6Ahmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, Dargahi A · 2025The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentScientific Reports 15:2710 (2025)Read source →} Foods made from bread that have their own pages, such as white bread, whole wheat bread and wholemeal bread, are covered there.

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

Heavy metal contamination profile of bread

The table holds every extracted bread result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 776 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 →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{6Ahmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, Dargahi A · 2025The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentScientific Reports 15:2710 (2025)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 →}

22 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 341 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 7 values from 4 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →}^{6Ahmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, Dargahi A · 2025The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentScientific Reports 15:2710 (2025)Read source →}^{9Asadi Touranlou F, Ghasemi S, Gholian Aval M, Hashemi M, Tavakoly Sany SB · 2025Human health risk assessment of arsenic and potentially toxic elements exposure in bread and wheat flour in Northeast IranPLoS ONE 20(7): e0327652Read source →}^{10Khodaei SM, Esfandiari Z, Sami M, Ahmadi A · 2023Determination of metal(oids) in different traditional flat breads distributed in Isfahan city, Iran: Health risk assessment study by latin hypercube samplingToxicology Reports 10 (2023) 382-388Read source →}

Comparison methods and scope

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

Filter findings

AnalyteFood formCollection regionCollection periodSourceCompare withComparable findings only

660 of 660 findings · 27 analytes

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Bread 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)

79 findings · 21 studies · 13 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009–2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldauthors 2025	productCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	sample value.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldLoutfy et al. 2012	Ismailia city markets, pooled samples2007As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 25.2 µg/kg (minimum); 93.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 130 µg/kg (minimum); 2,630 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAl 2010	Cereal and cereal products, Riyadh city markets, May 20092009	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples, five Mashhad regions2020	not detected.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread and dough samples2020	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 460 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 300 µg/kg (minimum); 450 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 210 µg/kg (minimum); 310 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 40 µg/kg (minimum); 180 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C15), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C19), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	Cereals (retail, Mexico City)2022–2023Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldGacal et al. 2023	all samples of typeCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.Same samples: 150 µg/kg (minimum); 200 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	min.
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	max.
Bread, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
7 findings · 2 studies
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2015As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

80 findings · 18 studies · 13 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009–2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldauthors 2025	productCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	sample value.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldLoutfy et al. 2012	Ismailia city markets, pooled samples2007As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 15 µg/kg (minimum); 17.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 20 µg/kg (minimum); 290 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 2 µg/kg (minimum); 29 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 2 µg/kg (minimum); 25 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 3 µg/kg (minimum); 9 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 11 µg/kg (minimum); 27 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldGacal et al. 2023	all samples of typeCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.Same samples: 40 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldGacal et al. 2023	all samples of typeCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	min.
Bread, as soldGacal et al. 2023	all samples of typeCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	max.
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldZealand 2019	national/regional composite samples, Australia2013–2014Basis not stated	mean.
9 findings · 2 studies
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EMRO2014–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011–2015As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

26 findings · 9 studies · 11 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 19.6 µg/kg (minimum); 25 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 640 µg/kg (minimum); 2,270 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	entire test, all breads2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 22 µg/kg (minimum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 22 µg/kg (minimum); 39 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 24 µg/kg (minimum); 39 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 22 µg/kg (minimum); 39 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
6 findings · 1 study
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2018–2022As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008As sold / fresh	median.

11 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 0.6 µg/kg (minimum); 19.1 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
4 findings · 2 studies
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2018–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2020As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2023As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017As sold / fresh	median.

19 findings · 7 studies · 7 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples, five Mashhad regions2020	not detected.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread and dough samples2020	not detected.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 32 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10 µg/kg (minimum); 30 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10 µg/kg (minimum); 30 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 1 µg/kg (minimum); 9 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
3 findings · 1 study
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008As sold / fresh	median.

67 findings · 10 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 147 µg/kg (minimum); 1,440 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	not detected.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C15), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C19), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, flour or mealPirhadi et al. 2022	factory J2019Basis not stated	max.

79 findings · 14 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldauthors 2025	productCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	sample value.
Bread, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldLoutfy et al. 2012	Ismailia city markets, pooled samples2007As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 60.6 µg/kg (minimum); 121 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 25 µg/kg (minimum); 148 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	entire test, all breads2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldIbrahim et al. 2026	industrial and small-scale bakeriesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Bread, flour or mealSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, flour or mealPirhadi et al. 2022	factory J2019Basis not stated	max.

30 findings · 9 studies · 12 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldStahl et al. 2017	all samples (Hessian State Laboratory monitoring series)2011As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldStahl et al. 2017	all samples (Hessian State Laboratory monitoring series)2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 1,000 µg/kg (minimum); 14,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldStahl et al. 2017	all samples (Hessian State Laboratory monitoring series)2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldStahl et al. 2017	all samples (Hessian State Laboratory monitoring series)2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 6,270 µg/kg (minimum); 56,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	entire test, all breads2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 13,300 µg/kg (minimum); 57,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 13,300 µg/kg (minimum); 45,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 20,300 µg/kg (minimum); 57,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 12,200 µg/kg (minimum); 38,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
5 findings · 2 studies
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Bread, cookedTakanashi et al. 2018	Deep-fried bread-12015–2016Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, cookedTakanashi et al. 2018	Deep-fried bread-22015–2016Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, cookedTakanashi et al. 2018	Steamed bread-12015–2016Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, cookedTakanashi et al. 2018	Steamed bread-2–42015–2016Basis not stated	not detected.

9 findings · 5 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010As sold / fresh	median.
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 7 µg/kg (minimum); 27 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

9 findings · 4 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 1,560 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

12 findings · 2 studies
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.

19 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldLoutfy et al. 2012	Ismailia city markets, pooled samples2007As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 1,160 µg/kg (minimum); 2,580 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	min.
Bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011As sold / fresh	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C15), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sampleCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Bread, as soldAltwaiq et al. 2019	cereal or bread sample, Amman market (C19), measured by ICP-AESCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

61 findings · 7 studies · 10 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 87,200 µg/kg (minimum); 184,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	entire test, all breads2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 4,830 µg/kg (minimum); 50,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 4,830 µg/kg (minimum); 33,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 22,600 µg/kg (minimum); 42,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 35,300 µg/kg (minimum); 50,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, flour or mealPirhadi et al. 2022	factory G2019Basis not stated	max.

1 finding · 1 study
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.

61 findings · 7 studies · 9 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldLoutfy et al. 2012	Ismailia city markets, pooled samples2007As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 7,730 µg/kg (minimum); 40,200 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	all samples2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Barbari bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Lavash bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Sangak bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldAsadi et al. 2025	Taftoon bread type2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand A, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand B, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand C, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand D, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand F, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand G, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand H, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand I, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand J, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand K, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand L, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand M, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand N, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand P, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand Q, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand R, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand S, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from bakery, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldIkwebe et al. 2024	bread brand T, bought from distribution outlet, MakurdiCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10,300 µg/kg (minimum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 11,900 µg/kg (minimum); 28,500 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10,300 µg/kg (minimum); 27,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 12,500 µg/kg (minimum); 31,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using coal ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.
Bread, as soldTutuwa et al. 2023	bread from bakeries using electric ovens, JalingoCollection date unreported	mean.

9 findings · 3 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10 µg/kg (minimum); 6,650 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, industrial oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	all bread types, traditional oven2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Barbari, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, industrial oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Lavash, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldGhasemi et al. 2022	Sangak, traditional oven, after baking2020	mean.
Bread, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, cookedCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 4,900 µg/kg (minimum); 24,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 4,900 µg/kg (minimum); 21,600 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 5,510 µg/kg (minimum); 15,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 10,000 µg/kg (minimum); 24,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.

6 findings · 2 studies
Bread, as soldCommittee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food 2008	UK 2006 Total Diet Study composite food group2006As sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.

8 findings · 1 study
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, flour or mealSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

8 findings · 1 study
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Bread, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	Maisons-Alfort, FranceCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Bread, flour or mealSaraiva et al. 2021	Birkerød, DenmarkCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Bread, as soldFood Standards Agency 2014	'other foods' group (UK)2013–2014As sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 292,000 µg/kg (minimum); 427,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 292,000 µg/kg (minimum); 358,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 361,000 µg/kg (minimum); 427,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 293,000 µg/kg (minimum); 357,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 2,680,000 µg/kg (minimum); 4,390,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	all breadsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 2,680,000 µg/kg (minimum); 3,760,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Barbari bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 3,000,000 µg/kg (minimum); 3,810,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Lavash bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 2,800,000 µg/kg (minimum); 4,390,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldKhodaei et al. 2023	Tafton bread, 31 bakeries in Isfahan districtsCollection date unreported	max.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 1,640 µg/kg (minimum); 9,890 µg/kg (maximum)
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	min.
Bread, as soldAhmadi et al. 2025	bakeries in Susangerd, Khuzestan, Iran (flour from one factory)Collection date unreported	max.

5 findings · 1 study
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_22014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_32014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 1_52014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Bread, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food group composite Group 12014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.

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 bread Pb reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bread Pb reference · Bread, as sold. Bread, 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	≤7	68.5–75 (bounded)	130
Alternative weighting	≤7	68.5–75 (bounded)	130

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	3	50%
authors 2025	1	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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:bread-2caf74ebf94c:10e66648f994

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 bread Pb reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread Pb reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	3.31–14 (bounded)	5.5–32.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤3.58	3.41–9.5 (bounded)	5.5–25.8 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	38	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-d45463d1b8b3:518284e7e382

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 bread Cd reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bread Cd reference · Bread, as sold. Bread, 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	7.5–9 (bounded)	19.3	22
Alternative weighting	7.5–9 (bounded)	19.3	22

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	4	50%
authors 2025	1	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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:bread-6661dd3b5c37:d037418c9ae2

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 bread Cd reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread Cd reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	13.1–13.2 (bounded)	17.1	22.5–23 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	13.2	17.1	23

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	49	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-dd702b3476e1:c02d27231011

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 bread tAs reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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 bread, 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 bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-12de443eff3a:af5ef06b461b

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 bread tAs reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread tAs reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	1.5–8.58 (bounded)	33.5–56.1 (bounded)	122
Alternative weighting	3–9 (bounded)	58–58.5 (bounded)	82

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	16	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-8fded1f257d1:ec4a292a0c29

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 bread iAs reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bread iAs reference · Bread, as sold. Bread, 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	4.5	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 bread, 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 bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-cacc9bf30e40:3a7524524853

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 bread iAs reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread iAs reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	≤60.6	117	159
Alternative weighting	≤60.6	117	159

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-90fe6d5abf47:619fff8d1ad6

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 bread DMA reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread DMA reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	≤20	10–25 (bounded)	20–30 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤20	10–25 (bounded)	20–30 (bounded)

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 bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-cca273bcf0f7:d788ddb9bad5

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 bread tHg reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bread tHg reference · Bread, as sold. Bread, 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	≤3
Alternative weighting	≤3	≤3	≤3

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 bread, 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 bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-943fa1ba7bf2:944af0e229f0

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 bread tHg reference · Bread, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI bread tHg reference · Bread, as sold, dry weight. Bread, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Asadi et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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

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

Asadi et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bread-db682c1e6fc9:963b323f7cb6

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 bread tHg reference · Bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI bread tHg reference · Bread, cooked. Bread, 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	≤0.638	≤3.25	0.0525–5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤0.638	≤3.25	0.0525–5 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	12	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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 bread, cooked on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-67ea3a27e340:5e8415dd2b00

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 bread Cr reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	70–75 (bounded)	140
Alternative weighting	≤10	70–75 (bounded)	140

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
authors 2025	1	50%
Saraiva et al. 2021	2	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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:bread-560a540bb0d2:52df4bd3bbc6

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 bread Al reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI bread Al reference · Bread, as sold. Bread, 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	2000	2000	2000
Alternative weighting	2000	2000	2000

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Stahl et al. 2017	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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

Stahl et al. 2017 is the only compatible sampling family for bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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

Stahl et al. 2017

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bread-52fe05cf8034:ab1542999886

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 bread Sn reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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 bread, 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 bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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:bread-6d47bf54961f:209005accd28

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 bread CrVI reference · Bread, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.047	≤0.047	≤0.047
Alternative weighting	≤0.047	≤0.047	≤0.047

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Saraiva et al. 2021	8	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, 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

Saraiva et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for bread, as sold on this basis in the completed bread 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

Saraiva et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bread-2d785a85ad52:87b865edf22e

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 bread CrVI reference · Bread, flour or meal

Reference and scope

HMI bread CrVI reference · Bread, flour or meal. Bread, flour or meal; 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	≤0.047	≤0.047	≤0.047
Alternative weighting	≤0.047	≤0.047	≤0.047

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Saraiva et al. 2021	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for bread, flour or meal 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

Saraiva et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for bread, flour or meal on this basis in the completed bread 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

Saraiva et al. 2021

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:bread-047efc47ae56:9e22da245a43

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 bread

The evidence on how metals reach bread comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. Bread, as sold from Barbari, traditional oven, after baking had Co higher at 50 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all bread types, industrial oven in the same study.^{8Ghasemi S, Hashemi M, Gholian Aval M, Safarian M, Khanzadi S, Orooji A, Tavakoly Sany SB · 2022Effect of Baking Methods Types on Residues of Heavy Metals in the Different Breads Produced with Wheat Flour in Iran: A Case Study of MashhadJournal of Chemical Health Risks 12(1), 105-113Read source →} In another study, bread, as sold from bread from bakeries using coal ovens, Jalingo had Fe higher at 757 µg/kg, against 423 µg/kg for bread from bakeries using electric ovens, Jalingo in the same study.^{7Tutuwa JA, Bando CD, Tadawus RH, Ifraimu D, Aigbogun BS, Nuhu I, Jesse PS, Agbu TD · 2023Assessement of the Influence of Baking Fuel Types on the Residues of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Bread from Jalingo, Taraba StateJournal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS 2(1): 25-31Read source →}

These are observational comparisons from single studies; the size of the difference depends on the site, metal and distance.

Which forms and regions measured lower

For cadmium, the HMI reference median was lowest for bread, cooked (17.1 µg/kg) and highest for bread, as sold (19.3 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →} The HMI reference for lead in bread, as sold pools 4 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of between 68.5 and 75 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 7 (lower quartile) and 130 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →} For lead in bread, cooked, the reference median was between 3.31 and 14 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 4 to between 5.5 and 32.5 µg/kg across 38 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in bread, as sold, the reference median was 19.3 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 7.5 and 9 to 22 µg/kg across 5 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, bread, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in WPRO (14 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (16.5 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 total arsenic, the lowest regional median was in WPRO (8.17 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (225 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted bread, cooked samples in EURO had cadmium lower at 8 µg/kg, against 16 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In another study, targeted bread, cooked samples in WPRO had cadmium lower at 6.24 µg/kg, against 13.1 µg/kg for WPRO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

In one study, lead across 38 groups of bread ranged from 10 µg/kg (bread brand O, bought from distribution outlet, Makurdi) to 660 µg/kg (bread brand E, bought from distribution outlet, Makurdi); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{11Ikwebe J, Bando CD · 2024Investigation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Bread Baked and Sold in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State NigeriaAsian Journal of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Art 2(1): 109-128Read source →} In another study, lead across 5 groups of bread ranged from 5 µg/kg (food category composite 1_2) to 8 µg/kg (food category composite 1_1); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{12Baxter M, Brereton N · 2015Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodFood and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081Read source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed bread in the same study and group. Bread, cooked (all samples) had lead lower at 6 µg/kg, against 7 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bread, as sold).^{13Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →} In another study, bread, cooked (WPRO) had cadmium lower at 13.1 µg/kg, against 14 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bread, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} A third study found that bread, cooked (all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)) had inorganic arsenic lower at 3 µg/kg, against 5 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bread, as sold).^{14Centre 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 →}

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

Mitigation for bread

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

Avoiding exposed growing areas lowered the metal measured in the studies available, but no study measured the cost or supply effect of doing so.^{8Ghasemi S, Hashemi M, Gholian Aval M, Safarian M, Khanzadi S, Orooji A, Tavakoly Sany SB · 2022Effect of Baking Methods Types on Residues of Heavy Metals in the Different Breads Produced with Wheat Flour in Iran: A Case Study of MashhadJournal of Chemical Health Risks 12(1), 105-113Read source →} 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 bread for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 2 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 80 µg/kg (Gacal et al. 2023), 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 →}^{15Gacal M, Gut-Pietrasz K, Cwielag-Drabek M · 2023Cadmium and lead content in gluten and gluten-free bread available on Polish market - potential health risk to consumersAnnales Academiae Medicae SilesiensisRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 2 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 40 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 5 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 100 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

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

Buying and verifying bread

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

Exposure from bread

No source in the library converted bread 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 bread was decided on its content: 30 occurrence extracted, 30 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.

Bread FAQs

What heavy metals are found in bread?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, B, Ba, CrIII, CrVI, I, Mg, Na, Sr and Tl in bread, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{4Loutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, Fuerhacker M · 2012Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptToxicological & Environmental ChemistryRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in bread, as sold from 6 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 7 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How do heavy metals get into bread?

In the studies available, bread from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than bread from the same study’s control.^{7Tutuwa JA, Bando CD, Tadawus RH, Ifraimu D, Aigbogun BS, Nuhu I, Jesse PS, Agbu TD · 2023Assessement of the Influence of Baking Fuel Types on the Residues of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Bread from Jalingo, Taraba StateJournal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS 2(1): 25-31Read source →} Bread, as sold from bread from bakeries using coal ovens, Jalingo had lead higher at 296 µg/kg, against 181 µg/kg for bread from bakeries using electric ovens, Jalingo in the same study.^{7Tutuwa JA, Bando CD, Tadawus RH, Ifraimu D, Aigbogun BS, Nuhu I, Jesse PS, Agbu TD · 2023Assessement of the Influence of Baking Fuel Types on the Residues of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Bread from Jalingo, Taraba StateJournal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS 2(1): 25-31Read source →}

Which types of bread have the lowest levels?

For cadmium, the HMI reference median was lowest for bread, cooked (17.1 µg/kg) and highest for bread, as sold (19.3 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Unknown authors · 2025Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in bread?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, bread, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in WPRO (14 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (16.5 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 total arsenic, the lowest regional median was in WPRO (8.17 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (225 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 bread?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same bread.^{13Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →} Bread, cooked (all samples) had lead lower at 6 µg/kg, against 7 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (bread, as sold).^{13Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in bread is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 17 results from 6 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{12Baxter M, Brereton N · 2015Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodFood and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081Read source →}^{14Centre 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 →}^{16European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported inorganic arsenic means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 4 µg/kg (Food Standards Agency 2014) to 6.2 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018).^{3Food Standards Agency, Hallmark Meat Hygiene · 2014Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency reportRead source →}^{5Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read 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
Evaluation of Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic inUnknown authors · Peer-reviewed article · 2025 · doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v29i9.58Peer-reviewed
Survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foodsFood Standards Agency and Hallmark Meat Hygiene · Food Standards Agency report · 2014Government
Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, EgyptLoutfy N, Mentler A, Shoeab M, Ahmed MT, and Fuerhacker M · Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry · 2012 · doi.org/10.1080/02772248.2011.638445Peer-reviewed
Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, et al. · Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670 · 2018 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.005Peer-reviewed
The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessmentAhmadi Angali K, Farhadi M, Neisi A, Cheraghian B, Ahmadi M, Takdastan A, et al. · Scientific Reports 15:2710 (2025) · 2025 · doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86240-3Peer-reviewed
Assessement of the Influence of Baking Fuel Types on the Residues of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Bread from Jalingo, Taraba StateTutuwa JA, Bando CD, Tadawus RH, Ifraimu D, Aigbogun BS, Nuhu I, et al. · Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences: MIKAILALSYS 2(1): 25-31 · 2023 · doi.org/10.58578/mikailalsys.v2i1.2411Peer-reviewed
Effect of Baking Methods Types on Residues of Heavy Metals in the Different Breads Produced with Wheat Flour in Iran: A Case Study of MashhadGhasemi S, Hashemi M, Gholian Aval M, Safarian M, Khanzadi S, Orooji A, et al. · Journal of Chemical Health Risks 12(1), 105-113 · 2022 · doi.org/10.22034/jchr.2021.1929107.1299Peer-reviewed
Human health risk assessment of arsenic and potentially toxic elements exposure in bread and wheat flour in Northeast IranAsadi Touranlou F, Ghasemi S, Gholian Aval M, Hashemi M, and Tavakoly Sany SB · PLoS ONE 20(7): e0327652 · 2025 · doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327652Peer-reviewed
Determination of metal(oids) in different traditional flat breads distributed in Isfahan city, Iran: Health risk assessment study by latin hypercube samplingKhodaei SM, Esfandiari Z, Sami M, and Ahmadi A · Toxicology Reports 10 (2023) 382-388 · 2023 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.02.015Peer-reviewed
Investigation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Bread Baked and Sold in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State NigeriaIkwebe J and Bando CD · Asian Journal of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Art 2(1): 109-128 · 2024 · doi.org/10.58578/ajstea.v2i1.2661Peer-reviewed
Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodBaxter M and Brereton N · Food and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081 · 2015 · www.food.gov.ukGovernment
The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region · 2013 · www.cfs.gov.hkGovernment
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
Cadmium and lead content in gluten and gluten-free bread available on Polish market - potential health risk to consumersGacal M, Gut-Pietrasz K, and Cwielag-Drabek M · Annales Academiae Medicae Silesiensis · 2023 · doi.org/10.18794/aams/172906Peer-reviewed
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government

Sources

Browse Bread 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 bread record in the library: 30 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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European Food Safety Authority

Heavy metals in Bread

Bread overview

What counts as bread

Heavy metal contamination profile of bread

How metals reach bread

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for bread

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing bread for metals

Buying and verifying bread

Exposure from bread

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Bread FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Referenced by

Graph View

Heavy metals in Bread

Bread overview

What counts as bread

Heavy metal contamination profile of bread

How metals reach bread

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for bread

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing bread for metals

Buying and verifying bread

Exposure from bread

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Bread FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View