Heavy metals in Clementines and tangerines

Quick read

Clementines and tangerines in the HMI library has 101 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Zn, V, Ba, DBT, DOT, OTC_sum_as_Sn, sumOTC, TBT, TPhT and TPT from 11 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}^{5Unknown authors · 2012Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals from Agricultural Soil to Agricultural ProductsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{6Unknown authors · 2017Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and methylmercury and others, in 101 results from 11 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the clementines and tangerines 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 →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read 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 →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}

Clementines and tangerines overview

Clementines and tangerines in the HMI library has 101 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Zn, V, Ba, DBT, DOT, OTC_sum_as_Sn, sumOTC, TBT, TPhT and TPT from 11 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}^{5Unknown authors · 2012Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals from Agricultural Soil to Agricultural ProductsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{6Unknown authors · 2017Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in clementines and tangerines, as sold from 525 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 6.4 to 30 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 below 5.5 µg/kg, mostly non-detects from 473 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 14.9 µg/kg (Lee et al. 2011) to 22.1 µg/kg (Lee et al. 2023).^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →} For cadmium, 3 studies with the basis not stated reported means and medians from 0.17 µg/kg (Czech et al. 2021) to 60 µg/kg (authors 2017).^{6Unknown authors · 2017Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{7Czech A, Malik A, Sosnowska B, Domaradzki P · 2021Bioactive Substances, Heavy Metals, and Antioxidant Activity in Whole Fruit, Peel, and Pulp of Citrus FruitsInternational Journal of Food ScienceRead source →}

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

What counts as clementines and tangerines

This page covers clementines and tangerines, as sold (101 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}^{5Unknown authors · 2012Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals from Agricultural Soil to Agricultural ProductsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{6Unknown authors · 2017Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsPeer-reviewed articleRead 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 clementines and tangerines

The table holds every extracted clementines and tangerines result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 101 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 →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}^{5Unknown authors · 2012Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals from Agricultural Soil to Agricultural ProductsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →}^{6Unknown authors · 2017Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →} Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

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

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of clementines and tangerines, 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

Clementines and tangerines 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)

24 findings · 8 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006–2016	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017–2019	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2020	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2001–2012	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2014	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2016	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2012–2016	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2013	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002–2006	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 0.2 µg/kg (minimum); 67.3 µg/kg (maximum)
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	min.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	max.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2012	Tangerine, farm samples from main producing regions across Korea2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	Fish, Mandarin fish2010–2011Basis not stated	range.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin, Clementina cultivar, Turkey-origin, peel (P)2019Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin, Clementina cultivar, Turkey-origin, pulp (F)2019Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin2019Basis not stated	mean.

17 findings · 8 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2007	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006–2016	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017–2019	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2020	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2004	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 0.0 µg/kg; 0.4 µg/kg (maximum)
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	min.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	max.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2012	Tangerine, farm samples from main producing regions across Korea2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin, Clementina cultivar, Turkey-origin, peel (P)2019Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin, Clementina cultivar, Turkey-origin, pulp (F)2019Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCzech et al. 2021	mandarin2019Basis not stated	mean.

13 findings · 5 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2019	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2020	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2020	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2023	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017–2023	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 0.5 µg/kg (minimum); 1.7 µg/kg (maximum)
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	min.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	max.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2012	Tangerine, farm samples from main producing regions across Korea2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.

4 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2014	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

5 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006–2007	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 0.1 µg/kg (minimum); 0.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	min.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2011	Korean wholesale markets, nationwide, all samplesCollection date unreported	max.

2 findings · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	Fish, Mandarin fish2010–2011Basis not stated	range.

6 findings · 5 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	Fish, Mandarin fish2010–2011Basis not stated	range.

3 findings · 3 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007	median.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldauthors 2017	open markets, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2016–2017Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldLee et al. 2023	all samples2019	mean.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldChung et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018	not detected.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety 2019	fish2017–2018Basis not stated	not detected.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldChung et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018	not detected.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety 2019	fish2017–2018Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety 2019	fish2017–2018Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldChung et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018	mean.

2 findings · 2 studies
Clementines and tangerines, as soldChung et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018	mean.
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety 2019	fish2017–2018Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldChung et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Clementines and tangerines, as soldCentre for Food Safety 2019	fish2017–2018Basis not stated	mean.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI clementines and tangerines Pb reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines Pb reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤8	5.2–13 (bounded)	16–23 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤8.76	2.1–13 (bounded)	14.8–24.5 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	58	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-b6a6b1a7aa44:51a3b78249ff

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 clementines and tangerines Cd reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines Cd reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤2	≤3
Alternative weighting	≤1.1	≤2	≤3.5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	41	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-e62d06a550e5:685a2b0cd3d4

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 clementines and tangerines tAs reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines tAs reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤5.35	≤10	≤20
Alternative weighting	≤5.9	≤10	≤20

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	31	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-a9a7653ff6aa:2130e537fd99

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 clementines and tangerines iAs reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines iAs reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤0.66	0.485–0.815 (bounded)	0.95
Alternative weighting	≤0.66	0.485–0.815 (bounded)	0.95

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	5	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-8f678142207f:8ad9d06ee8b3

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 clementines and tangerines tHg reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines tHg reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤4.5
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤2	≤4

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 clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-ad8c50996ab6:a28ddd7f6fe5

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 clementines and tangerines Al reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines Al reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤236	≤236	≤236
Alternative weighting	≤236	≤236	≤236

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 clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-cdabd7e5d181:c15e4ace2f56

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 clementines and tangerines Sn reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines Sn reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5
Alternative weighting	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5

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 clementines and tangerines, 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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:clementines-tangerines-ff61034d6d0f:feab3ec9274f

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 clementines and tangerines DBT reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines DBT reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤0.25	≤0.25	≤0.25
Alternative weighting	≤0.25	≤0.25	≤0.25

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Chung et al. 2020	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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

Chung et al. 2020 is the only compatible sampling family for clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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

Chung et al. 2020

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:clementines-tangerines-76a708723e72:f8561e560197

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 clementines and tangerines DOT reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI clementines and tangerines DOT reference · Clementines and tangerines, as sold. Clementines and tangerines, 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	≤0.25	≤0.25	≤0.25
Alternative weighting	≤0.25	≤0.25	≤0.25

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Chung et al. 2020	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for clementines and tangerines, 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

Chung et al. 2020 is the only compatible sampling family for clementines and tangerines, as sold on this basis in the completed clementines and tangerines 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

Chung et al. 2020

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:clementines-tangerines-4cfa58a3b15a:6aeb44da43fc

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 clementines and tangerines

No study in the library compared clementines and tangerines 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 clementines and tangerines, as sold pools 58 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of between 5.2 and 13 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 8 (lower quartile) and between 16 and 23 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in clementines and tangerines, as sold, the reference median was below 2 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 1.1 to below 3 µg/kg across 41 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For total arsenic in clementines and tangerines, as sold, the reference median was below 10 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 5.35 to below 20 µg/kg across 31 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, clementines and tangerines, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (6.4 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (24 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 →}

Targeted clementines and tangerines, as sold samples in WPRO had lead higher at 30 µg/kg, against 10 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 6 groups of clementines and tangerines ranged from 6.4 µg/kg (PAHO) to 24 µg/kg (EURO); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

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

Mitigation for clementines and tangerines

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

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

Trade-offs and limits of controls

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

Testing clementines and tangerines for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 50 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.001 µg/kg (Lee et al. 2011) to 50 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 2.14 µg/kg (Lee et al. 2023) to 125 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 →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}

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

Buying and verifying clementines and tangerines

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

Exposure from clementines and tangerines

No source in the library converted clementines and tangerines 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 clementines and tangerines was decided on its content: 11 occurrence extracted, 11 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.

Clementines and tangerines FAQs

What heavy metals are found in clementines and tangerines?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, Zn, V, Ba, DBT, DOT, OTC_sum_as_Sn, sumOTC, TBT, TPhT and TPT in clementines and tangerines, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Lee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, Park SW, Yoo MS · 2011Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaKorean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011)Read source →}^{3Lee J, Hwang I, Park YS, Lee DY · 2023Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaApplied Biological ChemistryRead source →}^{4Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in clementines and tangerines, as sold from 525 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 6.4 to 30 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in clementines and tangerines?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, clementines and tangerines, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (6.4 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (24 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 →}

How much of the arsenic in clementines and tangerines is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 4 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{8Centre 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 →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported inorganic arsenic in clementines and tangerines, as sold from 6 results in 1 reporting region, with a subgroup median of 8.65 µg/kg.^{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
Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Fruits in KoreaLee JH, Seo JW, An ES, Kuk JH, Park JW, Bae MS, et al. · Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology 43(2): 230-234 (2011) · 2011 · doi.org/10.9721/kjfst.2011.43.2.230Peer-reviewed
Occurrence and health risk assessment of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead in fresh fruits consumed in South KoreaLee J, Hwang I, Park YS, and Lee DY · Applied Biological Chemistry · 2023 · doi.org/10.1186/s13765-023-00799-xPeer-reviewed
Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaOrisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, and Bede O · Chemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77 · 2012 · doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-6-77Peer-reviewed
Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals from Agricultural Soil to Agricultural ProductsUnknown authors · Peer-reviewed article · 2012 · doi.org/10.5338/kjea.2012.31.4.300Peer-reviewed
Levels, dietary intake, and health risk of potentially toxic metalsUnknown authors · Peer-reviewed article · 2017 · doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0764-xPeer-reviewed
Bioactive Substances, Heavy Metals, and Antioxidant Activity in Whole Fruit, Peel, and Pulp of Citrus FruitsCzech A, Malik A, Sosnowska B, and Domaradzki P · International Journal of Food Science · 2021 · doi.org/10.1155/2021/6662259Peer-reviewed
The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region · 2012 · www.cfs.gov.hkGovernment

Sources

Browse Clementines and tangerines 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 clementines and tangerines record in the library: 11 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Fruits

Graph View

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Heavy metals in Clementines and tangerines

Clementines and tangerines overview

What counts as clementines and tangerines

Heavy metal contamination profile of clementines and tangerines

How metals reach clementines and tangerines

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for clementines and tangerines

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing clementines and tangerines for metals

Buying and verifying clementines and tangerines

Exposure from clementines and tangerines

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Clementines and tangerines FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View