Heavy metals in Butter crackers

Quick read

Butter crackers in the HMI library has 11 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium from 3 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel and chromium and others, in 11 results from 3 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the butter crackers was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}
Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

Butter crackers overview

Butter crackers in the HMI library has 11 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium from 3 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in butter crackers, cooked from 73 results in 1 reporting region, with subgroup medians below 10 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In the US Total Diet Study, butter crackers, as sold had a median lead result below 5 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Spungen et al. 2024 reported lead at 4.1 µg/kg (mean) and cadmium at 36 µg/kg (mean) in butter crackers, as sold from all samples.^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

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

What counts as butter crackers

This page covers butter crackers in 2 forms kept separate in every comparison: butter crackers, as sold (9 results) and butter crackers, cooked (2 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

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

Heavy metal contamination profile of butter crackers

The table holds every extracted butter crackers result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 11 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

1 row can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

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

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Butter crackers 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)

2 findings · 2 studies
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Butter crackers, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017	median.

2 findings · 2 studies
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Butter crackers, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Butter crackers, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI butter crackers Pb reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Pb reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	≤5	≤5	7.3
Alternative weighting	≤5	≤5	7.3

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-ec1110b910bf:3ebb4f57013a

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 butter crackers Pb reference · Butter crackers, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Pb reference · Butter crackers, cooked. Butter crackers, 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	≤10	≤10	≤10
Alternative weighting	≤10	≤10	≤10

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	17	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for butter crackers, cooked on this basis in the completed butter crackers 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:butter-crackers-9b576b5fa9b9:c4857241ba30

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 butter crackers Cd reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Cd reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	30	34	43
Alternative weighting	30	34	43

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-5666983782aa:7c1e432f7c7f

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 butter crackers Cd reference · Butter crackers, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Cd reference · Butter crackers, cooked. Butter crackers, 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	21	25	28.5
Alternative weighting	21	25	28.5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	15	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for butter crackers, cooked on this basis in the completed butter crackers 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:butter-crackers-b8fda40e7c8f:0ab11acc7304

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 butter crackers tAs reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers tAs reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	7.4	7.5	7.9
Alternative weighting	7.4	7.5	7.9

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-540779890a5a:ce71b9d7ab31

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 butter crackers tHg reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-dfe3ff786bf2:b3a66c9359fc

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 butter crackers Ni reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Ni reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	≤60	≤60	≤60
Alternative weighting	≤60	≤60	≤60

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-96eddfea3825:237e6fe5992d

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 butter crackers Cr reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers Cr reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	≤130	≤130	≤130
Alternative weighting	≤130	≤130	≤130

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-1e2b5d629440:5e58ec2eab9a

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 butter crackers U reference · Butter crackers, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI butter crackers U reference · Butter crackers, as sold. Butter crackers, 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	2.2	2.9	6
Alternative weighting	2.2	2.9	6

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for butter crackers, 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–Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:butter-crackers-bc0c366a74a6:a243850c93bb

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 butter crackers

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

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in butter crackers, cooked pools 17 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of below 10 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 10 (lower quartile) and below 10 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in butter crackers, cooked, the reference median was 25 µg/kg, with a middle half from 21 to 28.5 µg/kg across 15 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

No study in the library measured the same butter crackers before and after washing, peeling, drying or cooking for metals, so no processing effect can be stated. Heat does not destroy metals; cooking or drying changes a concentration by moving water or metal, not by removing the element.

Mitigation for butter crackers

Controls with evidence for butter crackers act at the stages below. Grow corn away from cement plants and other industrial emitters (evidence from corn): maize from the three farms downwind of the plant averaged 230–380 µg/kg lead, against 20 µg/kg at a control farm 18 km upwind; a farm 2.7 km upwind averaged 10 µg/kg.^{4Abatemi-Usman S, Akindele O, Ayanlade A, Perez M, Attahiru I, Norton G, Feldmann J, Krupp E · 2023Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implicationsJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental EpidemiologyRead source →} Blend maize and other grains with rice in infant foods (evidence from corn): infant porridges and cakes mixing rice with maize and other gluten-free grains had median inorganic arsenic of 10 and 8 µg/kg, against 66 and 60 µg/kg for pure rice products; maize’s own share was not measured.^{5Carey M, Donaldson E, Signes-Pastor AJ, Meharg AA · 2018Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standardsPLoS ONERead source →} Irrigate corn with fresh or ground water, not wastewater (evidence from corn): maize irrigated with sewage or industrial wastewater carried 260–550 µg/kg lead and 38–112 µg/kg cadmium; maize irrigated with Nile or ground water in the same governorates carried 30 µg/kg lead and 10 µg/kg cadmium or less.^{6Adel S. El-Hassanin, Magdy R. Samak, Gomaa N. Abdel-Rahman, Yahia H. Abu-Sree, Essam M. Saleh · 2020Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwaterToxicology Reports 7:10-15Read source →}

Keep corn fields away from coal-fired power plants (evidence from corn): maize mercury fell from about 21 µg/kg at 1 km to 4.7–6.7 µg/kg at 3 km and 1.06 µg/kg at 5 km; maize bought at a grocery store more than 55 km away held 0.72 µg/kg.^{7Li R, Wu H, Ding J, Fu W, Gan L, Li Y · 2017Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plantsScientific ReportsRead source →} Ask for origin and lot lead results on maize grain (evidence from corn): western Pacific submissions from 2001–2010 had 24 of 327 lead results above 200 µg/kg against 8 of 890 in Europe, and European exceedances fell to none of 400 in 2014–2020.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Test each lot against the limit for its form (evidence from corn): the EU limits lead at 200 µg/kg and cadmium at 100 µg/kg for cereals, and lead at 100 µg/kg and cadmium at 20 µg/kg for sweet corn, on a wet-weight basis; nickel limits apply from July 2025 for sweet corn (400 µg/kg) and July 2026 for cereals (800 µg/kg).^{8European Commission · 2023Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006Official Journal of the European UnionRead source →}

About this table

ControlMaterialEffectsEvidence

Control

Material

Effects

Evidence

Grow corn away from cement plants and other industrial emitterscultivation · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

1

Abatemi-Usman et al. 2023

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedDownwind farms higher (observational)Grain lead, dry weightFarm 2.3 km downwind against control farmMaize grain, dry weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (380 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 1800.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

LeadIncreasedDownwind farms higher (observational)Grain lead, dry weightFarm 0.7 km downwind against control farmMaize grain, dry weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (230 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 1050.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Downwind farms against the upwind control farm, same harvest and method; 12–24 cobs per farm.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize from the three farms downwind of the plant averaged 230–380 µg/kg lead, against 20 µg/kg at a control farm 18 km upwind; a farm 2.7 km upwind averaged 10 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain from five farms around a cement plant, Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria, 2017 harvest
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Downwind farms higher (observational)	20 → 380 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, dry weight	Table 4, p. 5
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Downwind farms higher (observational)	20 → 230 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, dry weight	Table 4, p. 5

Observational; one plant and harvest.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Irrigate corn with fresh or ground water, not wastewatercultivation · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

Cd · Increased

1

El-Hassanin et al. 2020

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedWastewater irrigation higher (observational)Grain leadKafr-Dokhmais against Al-Hawia (Kafr El-Sheikh)Maize grain, basis not statedHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (550 − 30) / 30 × 100 = 1733.3%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

CadmiumIncreasedWastewater irrigation higher (observational)Grain cadmiumAl-Nasiria against Al-Hawia (Kafr El-Sheikh)Maize grain, basis not statedHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (112 − 10) / 10 × 100 = 1020.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Wastewater-irrigated sites against the fresh-water site in the same governorate; three field points per site.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize irrigated with sewage or industrial wastewater carried 260–550 µg/kg lead and 38–112 µg/kg cadmium; maize irrigated with Nile or ground water in the same governorates carried 30 µg/kg lead and 10 µg/kg cadmium or less.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain from nine sites in Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh and Giza, Egypt, August 2017
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Where low-quality irrigation water is used.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Where low-quality irrigation water is used.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Wastewater irrigation higher (observational)	30 → 550 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, basis not stated	Table 4
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Wastewater irrigation higher (observational)	10 → 112 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, basis not stated	Table 5

Observational; basis not stated; one season.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Where low-quality irrigation water is used.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Keep corn fields away from coal-fired power plantscultivation · As reported

Corn

tHg · Increased

tHg · Decreased

1

Li et al. 2017

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

Total mercuryIncreasedNear-plant maize higher (observational)Grain mercury, fresh weight1 km from plant B against grocery controlMaize grain, fresh weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (21.18 − 0.72) / 0.72 × 100 = 2841.7%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Total mercuryDecreasedLower with distance (observational)Grain mercury, fresh weight5 km against 1 km from plant BMaize grain, fresh weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (1.06 − 21.18) / 21.18 × 100 = -95.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Distance gradient from each plant against a retail control.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize mercury fell from about 21 µg/kg at 1 km to 4.7–6.7 µg/kg at 3 km and 1.06 µg/kg at 5 km; maize bought at a grocery store more than 55 km away held 0.72 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain near two coal-fired power plants, China, 2015
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Areas downwind of coal combustion.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Areas downwind of coal combustion.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Total mercury (tHg)	As reported	Near-plant maize higher (observational)	0.72 → 21.18 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, fresh weight	Table 2
Total mercury (tHg)	As reported	Lower with distance (observational)	21.18 → 1.06 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, fresh weight	Table 2

Observational; sample counts per site not stated.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Areas downwind of coal combustion.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Choose durum cultivars with the functional HMA3 allelecultivation · As reported

Wheat

Cd · Decreased

1

Maccaferri et al. 2019

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedTwo- to threefold lower transport to grain with the functional alleleGrain cadmiumB1a versus B1b linesGrain as reportedNot quantified · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Near-isogenic lines and a global durum collection, B1a versus B1b.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The non-functional TdHMA3-B1b allele gives two- to threefold more cadmium transport to shoots and grain than the functional B1a allele; a PCR marker distinguishes low- and high-cadmium lines.

Context	Selected control
Material	Durum wheat germplasm and near-isogenic lines
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.
Tested scale	Genetic study
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	The low-cadmium line grew less under zinc deficiency; no agronomic penalty under adequate zinc.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Measured comparison. Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Two- to threefold lower transport to grain with the functional allele	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 893; Fig. 8

No grain concentrations in the main text.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Fungicide at booting on high-cadmium soilcultivation · As reported

Wheat

Cd · Decreased

1

Motta-Romero et al. 2021

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower with fungicide (upper end of cultivar range)Grain cadmium, cultivar meansUntreated versus fungicideGrain as reportedModerate · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (140 − 190) / 190 × 100 = -26.3%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

CadmiumDecreasedLower with fungicide (lower end of cultivar range)Grain cadmium, cultivar meansUntreated versus fungicideGrain as reportedModerate · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (70 − 100) / 100 × 100 = -30.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Untreated plots of the same cultivars, site and years.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

A single metconazole application at booting lowered the range of cultivar grain cadmium means from 100–190 to 70–140 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Hard winter wheat, 18 cultivars, Nebraska, 2017–2018
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.
Tested scale	Field trial
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Measured comparison. One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower with fungicide (upper end of cultivar range)	190 → 140 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	Results p. 10; Table 2
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower with fungicide (lower end of cultivar range)	100 → 70 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	Results p. 10; Table 2

Attributed to yield dilution; other chemistries untested.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Blend maize and other grains with rice in infant foodsproduct formulation · As reported

Corn

iAs · Decreased

1

Carey et al. 2018

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

Inorganic arsenicDecreasedMulti-grain porridge lower (observational)Median inorganic arsenicMulti-grain against pure-rice porridgeAs soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (10 − 66) / 66 × 100 = -84.8%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Inorganic arsenicDecreasedMulti-grain cakes lower (observational)Median inorganic arsenicMulti-grain against pure-rice cakesAs soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (8 − 60) / 60 × 100 = -86.7%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Multi-grain against pure-rice products, as sold.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Infant porridges and cakes mixing rice with maize and other gluten-free grains had median inorganic arsenic of 10 and 8 µg/kg, against 66 and 60 µg/kg for pure rice products; maize’s own share was not measured.

Context	Selected control
Material	Infant porridges and cakes sold in Europe
Stage	product formulation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.
Tested scale	Market survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Inorganic arsenic (iAs)	As reported	Multi-grain porridge lower (observational)	66 → 10 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	As sold	Results
Inorganic arsenic (iAs)	As reported	Multi-grain cakes lower (observational)	60 → 8 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	As sold	Results

Observational market comparison.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Ask for origin and lot lead results on maize grainsourcing and procurement · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

1

WHO GEMS/Food

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedWestern Pacific medians higher (observational)Median grain lead (upper bounds)WPRO against EURO random samplingMaize grain, as soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (50 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 150.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Reporting regions and periods within one monitoring dataset.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Western Pacific submissions from 2001–2010 had 24 of 327 lead results above 200 µg/kg against 8 of 890 in Europe, and European exceedances fell to none of 400 in 2014–2020.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain submitted to GEMS/Food from Europe and the Western Pacific
Stage	sourcing and procurement
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.
Tested scale	Monitoring dataset
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Western Pacific medians higher (observational)	20 → 50 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, as sold	primary/gemsfood-corn-records.csv

Observational; reporting regions are not growing areas.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Test each lot against the limit for its formlot acceptance and release · As reported

Corn

Pb · Context

Cd · Context

Guidance

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915

HMI source record · Original source

Official guidance; not an independent experimental dataset. Reused across actions without adding studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadRegulatory limit; detection, not removalLead limitCereals 200 µg/kg; sweet corn 100 µg/kgWet weightContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

CadmiumRegulatory limit; detection, not removalCadmium limitCereals 100 µg/kg; sweet corn 20 µg/kgWet weightContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Regulatory limits; no measured effect.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The EU limits lead at 200 µg/kg and cadmium at 100 µg/kg for cereals, and lead at 100 µg/kg and cadmium at 20 µg/kg for sweet corn, on a wet-weight basis; nickel limits apply from July 2025 for sweet corn (400 µg/kg) and July 2026 for cereals (800 µg/kg).

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain and sweet corn placed on the EU market
Stage	lot acceptance and release
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands · Consumers
Period	As reported
Conditions	Corn placed on the EU market.
Tested scale	Regulation
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Regulatory or author guidance. Corn placed on the EU market.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Regulatory limit; detection, not removal	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Wet weight	Annex I 3.1.11, 3.1.4.2
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Regulatory limit; detection, not removal	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Wet weight	Annex I 3.2.12.1, 3.2.4.1

Testing detects contamination; it does not remove it.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Corn placed on the EU market.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Milling durum wheatgrain processing · As reported

Wheat

Ni · Context

Cd · Context

Guidance

Thielecke and Nugent 2018

HMI source record · Original source

Official guidance; not an independent experimental dataset. Reused across actions without adding studies.

Effects and comparators

NickelReported reduction; no valuesMilled productGrain versus milled productGrain as reportedContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

CadmiumReported reduction; no valuesMilled productGrain versus milled productGrain as reportedContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Durum grain versus milled products (secondary citation).

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The review reports that milling durum wheat reduced nickel most, then arsenic, cadmium and lead, without measured percentages.

Context	Selected control
Material	Durum wheat (review of milling studies)
Stage	grain processing
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Durum milling.
Tested scale	Review
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Author guidance or regulatory assessment. Durum milling.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Nickel (Ni)	As reported	Reported reduction; no values	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 13
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Reported reduction; no values	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 13

Secondary citation without numbers.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Durum milling.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

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

Testing butter crackers for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 5 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 4,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium were 2 µg/kg where sources stated them.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

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

Buying and verifying butter crackers

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

Exposure from butter crackers

No source in the library converted butter crackers 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 butter crackers was decided on its content: 3 occurrence extracted, 3 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.

Butter crackers FAQs

What heavy metals are found in butter crackers?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium in butter crackers, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in butter crackers, cooked from 73 results in 1 reporting region, with subgroup medians below 10 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

References

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

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implicationsAbatemi-Usman S, Akindele O, Ayanlade A, Perez M, Attahiru I, Norton G, et al. · Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology · 2023 · doi.org/10.1038/s41370-023-00548-8Peer-reviewed
Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standardsCarey M, Donaldson E, Signes-Pastor AJ, and Meharg AA · PLoS ONE · 2018 · doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194700Peer-reviewed
Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwaterAdel S. El-Hassanin, Magdy R. Samak, Gomaa N. Abdel-Rahman, Yahia H. Abu-Sree, and Essam M. Saleh · Toxicology Reports 7:10-15 · 2020 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.11.018Peer-reviewed
Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plantsLi R, Wu H, Ding J, Fu W, Gan L, and Li Y · Scientific Reports · 2017 · doi.org/10.1038/srep46545Peer-reviewed
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006European Commission · Official Journal of the European Union · 2023 · eur-lex.europa.euRegulation

Sources

Browse Butter crackers 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 butter crackers record in the library: 3 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts and stage-led controls.

Graph View

1

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exports

2

FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical Results

3

Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020

Food and Drug Administration

4

Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implications

5

Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standards

6

Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwater

7

Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plants

8

European Commission

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006