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Heavy Metal Index
An unmarked bottle and glass of clear carbonated water beside two small liquid vials illustrating flavoring ingredient context.

Heavy metals in Flavoring

Lead, cadmium, total arsenic and total mercury in flavoring: monitoring results, studies, references by form and basis, limits, testing and controls.

Quick read

Flavoring in the HMI library has 69 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V and Mo from 7 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead source →

Flavoring overview

Flavoring in the HMI library has 69 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V and Mo from 7 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in flavoring, as sold from 74 results in 5 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 1.4 to 110 µg/kg.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium, GEMS/Food gave subgroup medians from 3 to 48.1 µg/kg from 61 results.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Dokubo et al. 2023 reported lead at 6,350 µg/kg (mean ± 1,070 SD) in flavoring, powder or ground from all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4).6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead source → Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported cadmium means and medians with the basis not stated ranged from 6.2 µg/kg (Lim et al. 2015) to 960 µg/kg (Dokubo et al. 2023).6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead source →7Lim JA, Kwon HJ, Ha M, Kim H, Oh SY, Kim JS, Lee SA, Park JD, Hong YS, Sohn SJ, Pyo H, Park KS, Lee KG, Kim YD, Jun S, Hwang MS · 2015Korean research project on the integrated exposure assessment of hazardous substances for food safetyEnvironmental Health and ToxicologyRead source →

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

What counts as flavoring

This page covers flavoring in 2 forms kept separate in every comparison: flavoring, as sold (51 results) and flavoring, powder or ground (18 results).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead 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 flavoring

The table holds every extracted flavoring result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 69 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 →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →6Dokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, Igwe FU · 2023Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaInternational Journal of Science and Healthcare ResearchRead 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 →

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

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of flavoring, 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
Flavoring 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 formCollection scopeFinding (µg/kg)ComparisonEvidence
18 findings · 5 studies
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodAFRO2018median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2005–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2013median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2015median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2019median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2013–2014median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2015median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2014median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2013median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2013median.
Flavoring, as soldAngelon-Gaetz et al. 2018home investigations for children with elevated blood lead2011–2018sample value.
Flavoring, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019Drinks - not 100% fruit juice; single product sample #110;2019sample value.
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
Flavoring, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024Grain-Based Snacks, FY20182009–2024sample value.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2014–2017Dry weightmedian.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodSEARO2023Basis not statedmedian.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodSEARO2023Basis not statedmedian.
4 findings · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP1 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP3 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP4 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
12 findings · 5 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodAFRO2018median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2019median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2014median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2017median.
Flavoring, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019Drinks - not 100% fruit juice; single product sample #110;2019not detected.
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012not detected.
Flavoring, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024Grain-Based Snacks, FY20182009–2024sample value.
Flavoring, as soldLim et al. 2015Flavorings2010–2011Basis not statedmedian.
Flavoring, as soldLim et al. 2015Flavorings2010–2011Basis not statedmean.Same samples: 0.1 µg/kg (minimum); 5,230 µg/kg (maximum)
4 findings · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP1 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP2 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP4 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
8 findings · 4 studies
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodAFRO2018median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2015median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2015median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2016–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019Drinks - not 100% fruit juice; single product sample #110;2019sample value.
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012not detected.
Flavoring, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024Grain-Based Snacks, FY20182009–2024sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statednot detected.
5 findings · 3 studies
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodAFRO2018median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2015–2017median.
Flavoring, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019Drinks - not 100% fruit juice; single product sample #110;2019not detected.
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP4 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statednot detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
3 findings · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP1 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP3 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP4 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statedmean.
2 findings · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP2 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023seasoning powder product SP4 (retail, Port Harcourt)2021Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, powder or groundDokubo et al. 2023all four seasoning powder products pooled (SP1-SP4)2021Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Flavoring, as soldStone 2021component TG062-c022012not detected.
Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI flavoring Pb reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference0.6–3 (bounded)6–23.8 (bounded)300
Alternative weighting0.6–3 (bounded)9.8–23.8 (bounded)300

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2220%
Angelon-Gaetz et al. 2018120%
Houlihan et al. 2019120%
Stone 2021120%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024120%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

5 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:flavoring-2753d3cb83ee:87b401b5bffd

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 flavoring Pb reference · Flavoring, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference40.778.8117
Alternative weighting40.778.8117

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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 flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-e51dd6d3bcd7:727bd3e602ac

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 flavoring Cd reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤0.5≤1016
Alternative weighting≤0.5≤1016

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1833%
Houlihan et al. 2019133%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024133%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-09fc650acc9b:7df09ca78977

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 flavoring tAs reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference3.93.9–22 (bounded)43
Alternative weighting3.99.95–22 (bounded)43

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food633%
Houlihan et al. 2019133%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024133%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-3e3aac6d4951:6d66e5b86d45

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 flavoring tHg reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤0.14≤0.217≤10
Alternative weighting≤0.14≤0.217≤10

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1150%
Houlihan et al. 2019150%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-b136a2764af1:ea06ef2a9307

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 flavoring Cr reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference400400400
Alternative weighting400400400

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Stone 20211100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

Stone 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-242d970b75fa:81ef9789ec05

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 flavoring Sb reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference555005550055500
Alternative weighting555005550055500

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Stone 20211100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

Stone 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-cf19f588d48d:02c806ac213d

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 flavoring Co reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference100100100
Alternative weighting100100100

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Stone 20211100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

Stone 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-6bac62366df4:d6f61ce5c096

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 flavoring Cu reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference100010001000
Alternative weighting100010001000

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Stone 20211100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

Stone 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-085619c4a609:15985c1dfeb1

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 flavoring Zn reference · Flavoring, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference710071007100
Alternative weighting710071007100

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Stone 20211100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for flavoring, 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

Stone 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for flavoring, as sold on this basis in the completed flavoring 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

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:flavoring-56496abc9ef8:e1874f6f37fd

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.

1 dataset

How metals reach flavoring

No study in the library compared flavoring 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 flavoring, as sold pools 26 subgroup units from 5 sampling families, with a median of between 6 and 23.8 µg/kg and a middle half spanning between 0.6 and 3 (lower quartile) and 300 µg/kg (upper quartile).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source → For cadmium in flavoring, as sold, the reference median was below 10 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 0.5 to 16 µg/kg across 20 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source → For total arsenic in flavoring, as sold, the reference median was between 3.9 and 22 µg/kg, with a middle half from 3.9 to 43 µg/kg across 8 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →5U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, flavoring, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (1.4 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (72.1 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 AFRO (3 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (48.1 µg/kg).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 flavoring

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 flavoring for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 4,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.5 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 300 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 2 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 →

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

Buying and verifying flavoring

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

Exposure from flavoring

No source in the library converted flavoring 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 flavoring was decided on its content: 7 occurrence extracted, 7 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.

Flavoring FAQs

What heavy metals are found in flavoring?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V and Mo in flavoring, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, Bean DK · 2018Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportRead source →3Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →4Stone A · 2021Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingWashington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021)Read source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in flavoring, as sold from 74 results in 5 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 1.4 to 110 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 flavoring?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, flavoring, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (1.4 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (72.1 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 AFRO (3 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (48.1 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.

  1. GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
  2. Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018Angelon-Gaetz KA, Klaus C, Chaudhry EA, and Bean DK · MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report · 2018 · doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6746a2Government
  3. What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadJane Houlihan and Charlotte Brody · Healthy Babies Bright Futures · 2019 · www.hbbf.orgNGO
  4. Metals in Children’s and Consumer Products and PackagingStone A · Washington State Department of Ecology, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program, Publication 14-04-014 (Revised June 2021) · 2021 · apps.ecology.wa.govRegulation
  5. Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA analytical results table · 2024 · www.fda.govDataset
  6. Heavy Metal Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Brands of Seasoning Powder Sold in Port Harcourt, NigeriaDokubo A, Dappa EN, Hamilton AA, and Igwe FU · International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research · 2023 · doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20230212Peer-reviewed
  7. Korean research project on the integrated exposure assessment of hazardous substances for food safetyLim JA, Kwon HJ, Ha M, Kim H, Oh SY, Kim JS, et al. · Environmental Health and Toxicology · 2015 · doi.org/10.5620/eht.e2015004Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Flavoring 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 flavoring record in the library: 7 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.