Heavy metals in Leeks

Quick read

Leeks in the HMI library has 167 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, arsenic (As), Sr and Ti from 14 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}^{5Al-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, Bin Yahia AA · 2026Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentDiscover Chemistry (2026) 3:83Read source →}^{6Ali NK · 2024Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesProcedia of Engineering and Life ScienceRead source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 167 results from 14 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the leeks was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}
Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}

Leeks overview

Leeks in the HMI library has 167 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, As, Sr and Ti from 14 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}^{5Al-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, Bin Yahia AA · 2026Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentDiscover Chemistry (2026) 3:83Read source →}^{6Ali NK · 2024Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesProcedia of Engineering and Life ScienceRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in leeks, as sold from 1,187 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 7.2 to 300 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 8.66 to 30 µg/kg from 936 results.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 5.5 µg/kg (Norton et al. 2015) to 40 µg/kg (Heshmati et al. 2020).^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →} For cadmium, 2 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 10.7 µg/kg (Norton et al. 2015) to 26.3 µg/kg (Norton et al. 2015).^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}

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

What counts as leeks

This page covers leeks, as sold (167 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}^{5Al-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, Bin Yahia AA · 2026Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentDiscover Chemistry (2026) 3:83Read source →}^{6Ali NK · 2024Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesProcedia of Engineering and Life ScienceRead 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 leeks

The table holds every extracted leeks result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 167 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 →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}^{5Al-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, Bin Yahia AA · 2026Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentDiscover Chemistry (2026) 3:83Read source →}^{6Ali NK · 2024Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesProcedia of Engineering and Life ScienceRead source →} Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

14 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 1 row have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 6 values from 3 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →}^{6Ali NK · 2024Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesProcedia of Engineering and Life ScienceRead source →}^{7Eslami H, Zare A, Jalili M · 2026Contamination levels and health risk assessment of heavy metals in edible leafy vegetables distributed in Rafsanjan, southeast IranScientific Reports (2026), accepted manuscript, Article in PressRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of leeks, 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

Leeks findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food form	Collection scope	Finding (µg/kg)

36 findings · 11 studies · 3 spread figures folded in
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001–2013As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 5–180 µg/kg (range)
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018As sold / fresh	range.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 96.7 µg/kg (maximum)
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 27.3 µg/kg (maximum)
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Leeks, as soldSalehipour et al. 2015	Isfahan Province marketsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016Dry weight	median.
Leeks, as soldAl-Salimi et al. 2026	leafy vegetables, Crater-Aden central marketCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	farm leeks, winter, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), lowest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	Farmer, winter season, Nasiriyah/Thi-Qar, IraqCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	market leeks, summer, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), highest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	Market, summer season, Nasiriyah/Thi-Qar, IraqCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots, Zabol agribelt2023Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldSadee 2022	all samples2021Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	annual mean over four seasons 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.

34 findings · 10 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EMRO2019As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018As sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018As sold / fresh	range.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 83.6 µg/kg (maximum)
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	NE Britain (Aberdeenshire) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 58.1 µg/kg (maximum)
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Leeks, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016Dry weight	median.
Leeks, as soldAl-Salimi et al. 2026	leafy vegetables, Crater-Aden central marketCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldHeshmati et al. 2020	all samples2017–2018Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots, Zabol agribelt2023Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldSadee 2022	all samples2021Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	annual mean over four seasons 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.

19 findings · 6 studies
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2012As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldSalehipour et al. 2015	Isfahan Province marketsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots, Zabol agribelt2023Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldPiri et al. 2026	wastewater-irrigated farm plots2023Dry weight	sample value.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	annual mean over four seasons 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.

3 findings · 2 studies
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010Dry weight	median.
Leeks, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

6 findings · 2 studies
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	all seasons 20242024Basis not stated	not detected.

11 findings · 4 studies
Leeks, as soldSalehipour et al. 2015	Isfahan Province marketsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	farm leeks, winter, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), lowest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	Farmer, winter season, Nasiriyah/Thi-Qar, IraqCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	market leeks, summer, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), highest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	Market, summer season, Nasiriyah/Thi-Qar, IraqCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	annual mean over four seasons 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

9 findings · 4 studies
Leeks, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldSadee 2022	all samples2021Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	annual mean over four seasons 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

9 findings · 4 studies
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	all samples (both areas)2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Other (non-Songhua) area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldWang et al. 2020	Songhua River basin area2015–2016Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Leeks, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2002As sold / fresh	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

10 findings · 6 studies
Leeks, as soldSalehipour et al. 2015	Isfahan Province marketsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldAl-Salimi et al. 2026	leafy vegetables, Crater-Aden central marketCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	farm leeks, winter, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), lowest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Leeks, as soldAli 2024	market leeks, summer, Nasiriyah (Thi-Qar), highest meanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldSadee 2022	all samples2021Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

6 findings · 3 studies
Leeks, as soldAl-Salimi et al. 2026	leafy vegetables, Crater-Aden central marketCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 2 studies
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

7 findings · 4 studies
Leeks, as soldSalehipour et al. 2015	Isfahan Province marketsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Leeks, as soldAl-Salimi et al. 2026	leafy vegetables, Crater-Aden central marketCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Autumn 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Spring 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Summer 20242024Basis not stated	mean.
Leeks, as soldEslami et al. 2026	Winter 20242024Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Leeks, as soldSadee 2022	all samples2021Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Leeks, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group III2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI leeks Pb reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤8	1.48–20 (bounded)	21–40 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤8	6.3–20 (bounded)	29–40 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	42	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-2b2fd4923f68:5c3378e1cc87

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 leeks Pb reference · Leeks, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	300	300	300
Alternative weighting	300	300	300

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for leeks, 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 leeks, as sold on this basis in the completed leeks ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-9312efa145c3:423fa48d5408

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 leeks Cd reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	10.7	11.3–11.5 (bounded)	18.4
Alternative weighting	10.7	11	18.4

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	30	50%
Norton et al. 2015	2	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for leeks, 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:leeks-4e86f0142f69:08bc7a72604f

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 leeks Cd reference · Leeks, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	30	30	30
Alternative weighting	30	30	30

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for leeks, 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 leeks, as sold on this basis in the completed leeks ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-ca02fb26ffd0:15aa18692e01

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 leeks tAs reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤5	≤10	1.71–20 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤5	≤10	≤20

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-987d6ca8c55a:138627a89a72

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 leeks iAs reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤6.3	1.3–25 (bounded)	21.6–40.3 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤6.3	1.3–25 (bounded)	21.6–40.3 (bounded)

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-c044c073ac65:0c9f644c5d16

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 leeks iAs reference · Leeks, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI leeks iAs reference · Leeks, as sold, dry weight. Leeks, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	40.5	40.5	40.5
Alternative weighting	40.5	40.5	40.5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for leeks, 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 leeks, as sold on this basis in the completed leeks ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-ec7b259e0ba0:ffe6149a99d4

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 leeks tHg reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1.35	≤5
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1.35	≤5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	13	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-20cf415ed786:08f12593858b

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 leeks Al reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	1180	1590	3330
Alternative weighting	1180	1590	3330

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-8b0066f6abce:21b17c680865

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 leeks Sn reference · Leeks, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	5.77	6.96	7.64
Alternative weighting	5.77	6.96	7.64

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:leeks-172f0e876aba:5503983523a6

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

How metals reach leeks

No study in the library compared leeks 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 leeks, as sold pools 42 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of between 1.48 and 20 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 8 (lower quartile) and between 21 and 40 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in leeks, as sold, the reference median was between 11.3 and 11.5 µg/kg, with a middle half from 10.7 to 18.4 µg/kg across 32 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →} For total arsenic in leeks, as sold, the reference median was below 10 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 5 to between 1.71 and 20 µg/kg across 28 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, leeks, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (7.2 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (300 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 EURO (8.66 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (30 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 leeks

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 leeks for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.35 µg/kg (Heshmati et al. 2020) 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 →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.1 µg/kg (Al-Salimi et al. 2026) 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 →}^{5Al-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, Bin Yahia AA · 2026Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentDiscover Chemistry (2026) 3:83Read source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 2.79 µg/kg (Altıkulaç et al. 2025) 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 →}^{8Altıkulaç A, Turhan Ş, Altuner EM, Şekeroğlu B, Kurnaz A · 2025Evaluation of Health Risks Associated with Potential Toxic Elements in Selected Vegetables Consumed in the Western Black Sea Region of TurkeyACS Omega 2025, 10, 8843-8858Read source →}

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

Buying and verifying leeks

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

Exposure from leeks

No source in the library converted leeks 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 leeks was decided on its content: 14 occurrence extracted, 14 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.

Leeks FAQs

What heavy metals are found in leeks?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, As, Sr and Ti in leeks, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Ali Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · 2020Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranJournal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107Read source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4Mitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, Majid Afyuni · 2015Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranHuman and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International JournalRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in leeks, as sold from 1,187 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 7.2 to 300 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 leeks?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, leeks, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (7.2 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (300 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 EURO (8.66 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (30 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in leeks is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 3 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{9European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 5.4 µg/kg (mean) in leeks, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{9European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

References

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

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western IranAli Heshmati, Fereshteh Mehri, Javad Karami-Momtaz, and Amin Mousavi Khaneghah · Journal of Food Protection 83(1):101-107 · 2020 · doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-19-312Peer-reviewed
Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKNorton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, et al. · The Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscript · 2015 · doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.130Peer-reviewed
Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province, IranMitra Salehipour, Hadi Ghorbani, Hossein Kheirabadi, and Majid Afyuni · Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal · 2015 · doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2014.1002292Peer-reviewed
Lead and trace element contamination in market vegetables of Aden, Yemen: a human health risk assessmentAl-Salimi MSS, Saeed AAM, and Bin Yahia AA · Discover Chemistry (2026) 3:83 · 2026 · doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-00553-4Peer-reviewed
Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green VegetablesAli NK · Procedia of Engineering and Life Science · 2024Peer-reviewed
Contamination levels and health risk assessment of heavy metals in edible leafy vegetables distributed in Rafsanjan, southeast IranEslami H, Zare A, and Jalili M · Scientific Reports (2026), accepted manuscript, Article in Press · 2026 · doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58496-wPeer-reviewed
Evaluation of Health Risks Associated with Potential Toxic Elements in Selected Vegetables Consumed in the Western Black Sea Region of TurkeyAltıkulaç A, Turhan Ş, Altuner EM, Şekeroğlu B, and Kurnaz A · ACS Omega 2025, 10, 8843-8858 · 2025 · doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c08152Peer-reviewed
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government

Sources

Browse Leeks 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 leeks record in the library: 14 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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