Heavy metals in Coconut

Quick read

Coconut in the HMI library has 233 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ag, Au, B, Ba, Be, Ca, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and S from 13 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{5Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{6Mehari TF, Greene L, Duncan AL, Fakayode SO · 2015Trace and Macro Elements Concentrations in Selected Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Processed Foods in North Carolina, USAJournal of Environmental Protection, 2015, 6, 573-583Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 233 results from 13 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}
Main drivers:
Coconut, oil from unrefined had lead higher at 2.09 µg/kg, against 0.681 µg/kg for refined in the same study.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead 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 →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}

Coconut overview

Coconut in the HMI library has 233 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ag, Au, B, Ba, Be, Ca, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and S from 13 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{5Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{6Mehari TF, Greene L, Duncan AL, Fakayode SO · 2015Trace and Macro Elements Concentrations in Selected Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Processed Foods in North Carolina, USAJournal of Environmental Protection, 2015, 6, 573-583Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in coconut, oil from 197 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians below 90 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.^{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 85 µg/kg, mostly non-detects from 11 results.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Across 4 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 0.681 µg/kg (S-T et al. 2024) to 110 µg/kg (Caridi et al. 2021).^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{7Caridi F, Acri G, Belvedere A, Crupi V, D’Agostino M, Marguccio S, Messina M, Paladini G, Venuti V, Majolino D · 2021Evaluation of the Radiological and Chemical Risk for Public Health from Flour Sample InvestigationApplied Sciences 2021, 11, 3646Read source →} For cadmium, 3 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 10 µg/kg (Famurewa et al. 2023) to 20 µg/kg (Famurewa et al. 2023).^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →} Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. Coconut, oil from unrefined had Mn higher at 46.7 µg/kg, against 2.88 µg/kg for refined in the same study.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}

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

What counts as coconut

This page covers coconut in 5 forms kept separate in every comparison: coconut, oil (113 results), coconut, as sold (98 results), coconut, flour or meal (11 results), coconut, powder or ground (9 results) and coconut, cooked (2 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{5Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{6Mehari TF, Greene L, Duncan AL, Fakayode SO · 2015Trace and Macro Elements Concentrations in Selected Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Processed Foods in North Carolina, USAJournal of Environmental Protection, 2015, 6, 573-583Read source →} Foods made from coconut that have their own pages, such as coconut water, are covered there.

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

Heavy metal contamination profile of coconut

The table holds every extracted coconut result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 233 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 →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{5Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}^{6Mehari TF, Greene L, Duncan AL, Fakayode SO · 2015Trace and Macro Elements Concentrations in Selected Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Processed Foods in North Carolina, USAJournal of Environmental Protection, 2015, 6, 573-583Read 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 →}

14 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 34 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 6 values from 2 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →}^{5Sonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, Tuan Phan · 2026Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksScientific ReportsRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

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

Filter findings

AnalyteFood formCollection regionCollection periodSourceCompare withComparable findings only

233 of 233 findings · 28 analytes

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Coconut 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)

11 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2019	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008–2013	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2008–2017	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2009–2017	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2013	median.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
20 findings · 5 studies
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006–2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009–2015	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2018	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2012–2013	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2017	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002	median.
Coconut, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2016Dry weight	median.
Coconut, as soldMehari et al. 2015	Greensboro grocery store, single productCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.

10 findings · 4 studies
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2019	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2019	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	not detected.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	not detected.
Coconut, oilJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
19 findings · 6 studies
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002	median.
Coconut, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2016Dry weight	median.
Coconut, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldZealand 2019	national/regional composite samples, Australia2013–2014Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.

8 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2023	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
16 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2023	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2020	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2023	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2021	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2019	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2023	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002	median.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.

4 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2021	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2022	median.
Coconut, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2016	median.
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	not detected.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	not detected.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	not detected.
7 findings · 1 study
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2016	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002	median.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
6 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013	mean.
Coconut, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013	mean.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
4 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008	median.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, oilWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
2 findings · 1 study
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Coconut, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002	median.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
6 findings · 4 studies
Coconut, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
4 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
5 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldZealand 2011	all samples2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.
5 findings · 3 studies
Coconut, as soldBegday et al. 2026	commercial retail productCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldGood et al. 2026	all brands (milk-type mean)Collection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.
Coconut, as soldWMMPDK et al. 2010	plantations, Kurunegala and Gampaha2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, powder or groundWMMPDK et al. 2010	leading supermarkets, Colombo2008Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	not detected.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	not detected.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	refinedCollection date unreported	mean.
Coconut, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Coconut, flour or mealCaridi et al. 2021	retail flour type S4, five samples from large retailers, ItalyCollection date unreported	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	imported coconut oil2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, northern Nigeria (Kaduna)2021	mean.
Coconut, oilFamurewa et al. 2023	locally produced virgin coconut oil, southern Nigeria2021	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 coconut Pb reference · Coconut, oil

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Pb reference · Coconut, oil. Coconut, oil; 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	≤23.8	≤30	≤82.5
Alternative weighting	≤20	≤30	≤90

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	28	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, oil 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 coconut, oil on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-d18efec78508:e5e9bd17a364

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 coconut Pb reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Pb reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	≤9	2.6–15 (bounded)	10–30 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤6.5	5–11 (bounded)	10–25 (bounded)

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 coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-bcc93e9b4e6f:6b1a6f55e22b

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 coconut Pb reference · Coconut, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤15	6700–6710 (bounded)	13400
Alternative weighting	≤15	6700–6710 (bounded)	13400

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	2	50%
Mehari et al. 2015	1	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:coconut-4d738fa504d7:fcd14eadc0cc

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 coconut Pb reference · Coconut, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Pb reference · Coconut, cooked. Coconut, 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	15	15	15
Alternative weighting	15	15	15

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 coconut, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for coconut, cooked on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-6d33317d46a8:fee35791e28c

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 coconut Cd reference · Coconut, oil

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Cd reference · Coconut, oil. Coconut, oil; 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	≤15	≤50
Alternative weighting	≤10	≤15	≤50

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, oil 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 coconut, oil on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-2252e011f9ef:5aebd4c3a6d4

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 coconut Cd reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Cd reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	≤6	6–10 (bounded)	14.1–16 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤6	6–10 (bounded)	14.1–16 (bounded)

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 coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-863f07b55a9a:0bb36a91d708

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 coconut Cd reference · Coconut, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	14.5–19.5 (bounded)	29
Alternative weighting	≤10	14.5–19.5 (bounded)	29

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	2	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-75b5dfd148a2:3f204d86be08

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 coconut Cd reference · Coconut, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Cd reference · Coconut, cooked. Coconut, 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	10.6	10.6	10.6
Alternative weighting	10.6	10.6	10.6

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 coconut, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for coconut, cooked on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-b2afd2a31904:70d8284879c9

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 coconut tAs reference · Coconut, oil

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤13.3	≤28.5	65–85 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤13.3	≤28.5	65–85 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, oil 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 coconut, oil on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-beeb045be4ae:0eb55931047f

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 coconut tAs reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	≤21	≤52.1
Alternative weighting	≤10	≤20	≤52.1

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	23	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-cfc9ccf28fa2:9507acdd0b70

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 coconut iAs reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut iAs reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	≤0.68	≤9.64	9.64–20 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤0.68	≤9.64	9.64–20 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-270a955acb16:fff06a590210

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 coconut tHg reference · Coconut, oil

Reference and scope

HMI coconut tHg reference · Coconut, oil. Coconut, oil; 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	≤15	≤35	1670–1690 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤15	≤35	1670–1690 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	4	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, oil 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 coconut, oil on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-feb0245d0825:579dcd61dc84

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 coconut tHg reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut tHg reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	≤5	≤9.3
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤4.25	≤9.3

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-0669317946c2:4d1b827df136

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 coconut Al reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Al reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	301	301	301
Alternative weighting	301	301	301

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 coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-51ccfe5b9cdb:58ed26cb57d6

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 coconut Sn reference · Coconut, oil

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Sn reference · Coconut, oil. Coconut, oil; 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	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)

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 coconut, oil 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 coconut, oil on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-97e9b6e492b7:3d716671aba7

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 coconut Sn reference · Coconut, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI coconut Sn reference · Coconut, as sold. Coconut, 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	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)

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 coconut, 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 coconut, as sold on this basis in the completed coconut 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:coconut-6624aa1488f5:331747119e89

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 coconut

The evidence on how metals reach coconut comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. Coconut, oil from unrefined had Mn higher at 46.7 µg/kg, against 2.88 µg/kg for refined in the same study.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}

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

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in coconut, as sold pools 41 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of between 2.6 and 15 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 9 (lower quartile) and between 10 and 30 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For lead in coconut, oil, the reference median was below 30 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 23.8 to below 82.5 µg/kg across 28 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in coconut, as sold, the reference median was between 6 and 10 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 6 to between 14.1 and 16 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, coconut, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (10 µg/kg) and the highest in SEARO (20 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in PAHO (14.1 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (18.1 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted coconut, as sold samples in WPRO had cadmium lower at 17.3 µg/kg, against 18.1 µg/kg for WPRO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed coconut in the same study and group. Coconut, oil (GEMS/Food contaminants database) had cadmium lower at 5.3 µg/kg, against 8.5 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (coconut, as sold).^{8Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} In another study, coconut, cooked (PAHO) had cadmium lower at 10.6 µg/kg, against 14.1 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (coconut, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} A third study found that coconut, powder or ground (leading supermarkets, Colombo) had Cu higher at 2,000 µg/kg, against 1,600 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (coconut, as sold).^{9Warsakoon WMMPDK, Wikramasinghe I, Ranaweera KKDS, Purasinghe SS · 2010Preliminary Study on Heavy Metals in Coconut and Coconut ProductsCORD 2010, 26(1)Read source →}

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

Mitigation for coconut

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

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

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Avoiding exposed growing areas lowered the metal measured in the studies available, but no study measured the cost or supply effect of doing so.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →} Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing coconut for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 500 µg/kg (WMMPDK et al. 2010), 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 →}^{9Warsakoon WMMPDK, Wikramasinghe I, Ranaweera KKDS, Purasinghe SS · 2010Preliminary Study on Heavy Metals in Coconut and Coconut ProductsCORD 2010, 26(1)Read source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 2.5 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 500 µg/kg (WMMPDK et al. 2010), 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 →}^{9Warsakoon WMMPDK, Wikramasinghe I, Ranaweera KKDS, Purasinghe SS · 2010Preliminary Study on Heavy Metals in Coconut and Coconut ProductsCORD 2010, 26(1)Read source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 3 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 500 µg/kg (WMMPDK et al. 2010), 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 →}^{9Warsakoon WMMPDK, Wikramasinghe I, Ranaweera KKDS, Purasinghe SS · 2010Preliminary Study on Heavy Metals in Coconut and Coconut ProductsCORD 2010, 26(1)Read source →}

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

Buying and verifying coconut

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

Exposure from coconut

No source in the library converted coconut 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 coconut was decided on its content: 13 occurrence extracted, 13 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.

Coconut FAQs

What heavy metals are found in coconut?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ag, Au, B, Ba, Be, Ca, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P and S in coconut, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ademola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · 2023Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsMeasurement: FoodRead source →}^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}^{4Inna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, Konstantin V. Kharin · 2026Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisIzvestiya KGTU (KSTU News)Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in coconut, oil from 197 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians below 90 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How do heavy metals get into coconut?

In the studies available, coconut from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than coconut from the same study’s control.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →} Coconut, oil from unrefined had lead higher at 2.09 µg/kg, against 0.681 µg/kg for refined in the same study.^{3Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in coconut?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, coconut, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (10 µg/kg) and the highest in SEARO (20 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in PAHO (14.1 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (18.1 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Does processing change heavy metals in coconut?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same coconut.^{8Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} Coconut, oil (GEMS/Food contaminants database) had cadmium lower at 5.3 µg/kg, against 8.5 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (coconut, as sold).^{8Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}

How much of the arsenic in coconut 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 →}^{10European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 5.2 µg/kg (mean) in coconut, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{10European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

References

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

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
Comparative assessment of different coconut oils: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses of pesticide residues, toxic heavy metals, and associated contentsAdemola C. Famurewa, Chima A. Ekeleme-Egedigwe, Chimaraoke Onyeabo, Shadrach C. Kanu, Elizabeth E. Besong, and Ekenechukwu K. Maduagwuna · Measurement: Food · 2023 · doi.org/10.1016/j.meafoo.2023.100082Peer-reviewed
Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanLin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, and Lee W-J · JSFA Reports · 2024 · doi.org/10.1002/jsf2.186Peer-reviewed
Integral assessment of the environmental safety of plant-based milk alternatives based on heavy metal analysisInna V. Begday, Tamara A. Tsesar, and Konstantin V. Kharin · Izvestiya KGTU (KSTU News) · 2026 · doi.org/10.46845/1997-3071-2026-81-57-70Peer-reviewed
Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milksSonya Good, Chukwunonso Anakwue, and Tuan Phan · Scientific Reports · 2026 · doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44766-0Peer-reviewed
Trace and Macro Elements Concentrations in Selected Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Processed Foods in North Carolina, USAMehari TF, Greene L, Duncan AL, and Fakayode SO · Journal of Environmental Protection, 2015, 6, 573-583 · 2015 · doi.org/10.4236/jep.2015.66052Peer-reviewed
Evaluation of the Radiological and Chemical Risk for Public Health from Flour Sample InvestigationCaridi F, Acri G, Belvedere A, Crupi V, D’Agostino M, Marguccio S, et al. · Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 3646 · 2021 · doi.org/10.3390/app11083646Peer-reviewed
Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
Preliminary Study on Heavy Metals in Coconut and Coconut ProductsWarsakoon WMMPDK, Wikramasinghe I, Ranaweera KKDS, and Purasinghe SS · CORD 2010, 26(1) · 2010 · doi.org/10.37833/cord.v26i1.132Peer-reviewed
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government

Sources

Browse Coconut 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 coconut record in the library: 13 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Food Additives

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European Food Safety Authority

Heavy metals in Coconut

Coconut overview

What counts as coconut

Heavy metal contamination profile of coconut

How metals reach coconut

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for coconut

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing coconut for metals

Buying and verifying coconut

Exposure from coconut

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Coconut FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View