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Separate dishes of golden French fries and thin potato chips beside an unpeeled potato illustrating french fries ingredient context.

Heavy metals in French fries

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

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French fries in the HMI library has 89 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, uranium and Co from 9 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →6Cantoral A, Collado-López S, Betanzos-Robledo L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, García-Martínez BA, Ríos C, Díaz-Ruiz A, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in MexicoFoodsRead source →

French fries overview

French fries in the HMI library has 89 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, uranium and Co from 9 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →6Cantoral A, Collado-López S, Betanzos-Robledo L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, García-Martínez BA, Ríos C, Díaz-Ruiz A, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in MexicoFoodsRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in french fries, as sold from 94 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 2.7 µg/kg.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → In the US Total Diet Study, french fries, as sold had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 27 composites from 2017–2020.2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians with the basis not stated ranged from 21.6 µg/kg (Dabeka et al. 1995) to 355 µg/kg (Le et al. 2021).3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source → For cadmium, 2 studies with the basis not stated reported means and medians from 39.9 µg/kg (Dabeka et al. 1995) to 44 µg/kg (Spungen 2019).5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →7Judith H. Spungen · 2019Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source → Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. French fries, oil from fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday morning had lead higher at 355 µg/kg, against 166 µg/kg for fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday afternoon in the same study.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →

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

What counts as french fries

This page covers french fries in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: french fries, as sold (62 results), french fries, oil (26 results) and french fries, flour or meal (1 result).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →6Cantoral A, Collado-López S, Betanzos-Robledo L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, García-Martínez BA, Ríos C, Díaz-Ruiz A, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in MexicoFoodsRead 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 french fries

The table holds every extracted french fries result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 89 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →6Cantoral A, Collado-López S, Betanzos-Robledo L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, García-Martínez BA, Ríos C, Díaz-Ruiz A, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in MexicoFoodsRead 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 →

10 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 24 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 french fries, 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
French fries 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
36 findings · 5 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2017median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2009–2019median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2011median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2011–2012median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2014–2016median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2014median.
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, overall average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, overall average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday afternoon2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday daily average2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday evening2018mean.
French fries, as soldLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday morning2018mean.
French fries, as soldSpungen et al. 2024all samples2018–2020mean.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 19955 city composites1986–1988Basis not statedmedian.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 19955 city composites1986–1988Basis not statedmean.Same samples: 6.8 µg/kg (minimum); 53.1 µg/kg (maximum)
26 findings · 1 study
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Monday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, overall average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Friday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Monday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, overall average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday afternoon2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday daily average2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday evening2018Basis not statedmean.
French fries, oilLe et al. 2021fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday morning2018Basis not statedmean.
9 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2009–2017median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2009–2019median.
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2011–2013median.
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
French fries, as soldSpungen et al. 2024all samples2018–2020mean.
French fries, as soldCantoral et al. 2024all samples (single foodstuff, duplicate mean)2022–2023Basis not statedsample value.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 19955 city composites1986–1988Basis not statedmedian.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 19955 city composites1986–1988Basis not statedmean.Same samples: 32.9 µg/kg (minimum); 48.9 µg/kg (maximum)
French fries, as soldSpungen 2019all samples, TDS market baskets 2014-20162014–2016Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
French fries, flour or mealWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO1999–2018median.
2 findings · 2 studies
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2008–2015median.
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
4 findings · 3 studies
French fries, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2008–2020median.
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 2003Ottawa composite (retail Oct-Nov 2000)1998–2000not detected.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 2003Whitehorse composite (retail Jan-Feb 1998)1998–2000sample value.
2 findings · 2 studies
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 1995Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not statedsample value.
3 findings · 2 studies
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
French fries, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013mean.
French fries, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013mean.
1 finding · 1 study
French fries, as soldFDA Total Diet Study6 collection regions2017–2020median.
1 finding · 1 study
French fries, as soldDabeka et al. 1995Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not statedsample value.
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 french fries Pb reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries Pb reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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≤4≤4≤5
Alternative weighting≤4≤4≤5

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2250%
FDA Total Diet Study2750%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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:french-fries-6b4ce74c2fa2:a2df487baa8a

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 french fries Cd reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries Cd reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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 reference32.64358
Alternative weighting32.64363

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1350%
FDA Total Diet Study2750%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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:french-fries-dcdb401b5378:fa986bcf73d7

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 french fries Cd reference · French fries, flour or meal

Reference and scope

HMI french fries Cd reference · French fries, flour or meal. French fries, flour or meal; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference33.447.561
Alternative weighting33.447.561

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food17100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for french fries, flour or meal on this basis in the completed french fries 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:french-fries-00a0afb35ec4:f79f199158ac

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 french fries tAs reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries tAs reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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 reference1.66–3 (bounded)44.9
Alternative weighting1.66–3 (bounded)44.9

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food850%
FDA Total Diet Study2750%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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:french-fries-7efb889e41f1:0e54db2b5fa7

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 french fries tHg reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries tHg reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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≤0.1≤0.15≤1
Alternative weighting≤0.1≤0.15≤1

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1233%
FDA Total Diet Study2733%
Dabeka et al. 2003233%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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:french-fries-b601a7bda16b:6dc410eeb394

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 french fries Ni reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries Ni reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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 reference110130160
Alternative weighting110130160

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for french fries, as sold on this basis in the completed french fries 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:french-fries-4a1a943ebbbe:e48b9b2460b6

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 french fries Cr reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries Cr reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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≤50≤50≤50
Alternative weighting≤50≤50≤50

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for french fries, as sold on this basis in the completed french fries 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:french-fries-00ff104558ec:106e3407ad82

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 french fries U reference · French fries, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI french fries U reference · French fries, as sold. French fries, 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 reference1.11.82.4
Alternative weighting1.11.752.3

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
FDA Total Diet Study27100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for french fries, as sold on this basis in the completed french fries 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:french-fries-90e0f43eec4c:d28e718b7856

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 french fries

The evidence on how metals reach french fries comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. French fries, oil from fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday morning had lead higher at 355 µg/kg, against 166 µg/kg for fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday afternoon in the same study.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →

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

Which forms and regions measured lower

For cadmium, the HMI reference median was lowest for french fries, as sold (43 µg/kg) and highest for french fries, flour or meal (47.5 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → The HMI reference for lead in french fries, as sold pools 49 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of below 4 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and below 5 µg/kg (upper quartile).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → For cadmium in french fries, as sold, the reference median was 43 µg/kg, with a middle half from 32.6 to 58 µg/kg across 40 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → For cadmium in french fries, flour or meal, the reference median was 47.5 µg/kg, with a middle half from 33.4 to 61 µg/kg across 17 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, french fries, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in EURO (22.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (47.6 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 →

In one study, lead across 6 groups of french fries ranged from 66.4 µg/kg (fast-food restaurant chain Y, UK, Saturday daily average) to 210 µg/kg (fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Saturday daily average); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →

Processing, cooking and preparation

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

Mitigation for french fries

No control for metals in french fries was measured in the library; lot testing against the applicable limit remains the verifiable step.

No study in this library has yet measured a way to lower heavy metals in french fries; the studies here compare contaminated and ordinary growing settings, and lot testing against the applicable limit remains the verifiable check.

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.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read 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 french fries for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.4 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 200 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 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 20 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 2.5 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 3 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →

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

Buying and verifying french fries

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

Exposure from french fries

No source in the library converted french fries 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 french fries was decided on its content: 9 occurrence extracted, 9 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.

French fries FAQs

What heavy metals are found in french fries?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, uranium and Co in french fries, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in french fries, as sold from 94 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 2.7 µg/kg.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

How do heavy metals get into french fries?

In the studies available, french fries from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than french fries from the same study’s control.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source → French fries, oil from fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday evening had lead higher at 179 µg/kg, against 166 µg/kg for fast-food restaurant chain X, UK, Friday afternoon in the same study.3Le Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, Naughton DP · 2021”Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsFrontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952Read source →

Which types of french fries have the lowest levels?

For cadmium, the HMI reference median was lowest for french fries, as sold (43 µg/kg) and highest for french fries, flour or meal (47.5 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →

Which regions report the lowest levels in french fries?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, french fries, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in EURO (22.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (47.6 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 →

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. FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
  3. “Real-World” Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food RestaurantsLe Gresley A, Ampem G, De Mars S, Grootveld M, and Naughton DP · Frontiers in Nutrition 2021, Volume 8, Article 620952 · 2021 · doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.620952Peer-reviewed
  4. Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
  5. Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Dabeka RW and McKenzie AD · Journal of AOAC International · 1995 · academic.oup.comPeer-reviewed
  6. Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in MexicoCantoral A, Collado-López S, Betanzos-Robledo L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, García-Martínez BA, Ríos C, et al. · Foods · 2024 · doi.org/10.3390/foods13223649Peer-reviewed
  7. Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Judith H. Spungen · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2019 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2019.1595170Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse French fries 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 french fries record in the library: 9 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Graph View