Heavy metals in Parsnips

Quick read

Parsnips in the HMI library has 70 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, Ca, K, Mg and P from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}^{5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 70 results from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the parsnips 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 →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}
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 →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}

Parsnips overview

Parsnips in the HMI library has 70 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, Ca, K, Mg and P from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}^{5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in parsnips, as sold from 322 results in 2 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.35 to 50 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 20 to 300 µg/kg from 354 results.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Norton et al. 2015 reported lead at 11.3 µg/kg (median) and cadmium at 7.1 µg/kg (median) in parsnips, as sold from SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket survey.^{2Norton 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 →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 9.2 µg/kg (mean) in parsnips, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

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

What counts as parsnips

This page covers parsnips, as sold (70 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}^{5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read 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 parsnips

The table holds every extracted parsnips result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 70 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 →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →}^{5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read 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 →}

13 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 41 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 parsnips, 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

Parsnips 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)

13 findings · 3 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 59.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2017	median.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

14 findings · 4 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 32.4 µg/kg (maximum)
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	min.
Parsnips, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2018	median.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	not detected.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010–2023As sold / fresh	median.

3 findings · 2 studies
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010	median.
Parsnips, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2016As sold / fresh	median.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	not detected.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.

6 findings · 1 study
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality II (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality III (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality IV (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	mean.
Parsnips, as soldNikolić et al. 2014	locality VI (green markets, Novi Sad)2011	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 parsnips Pb reference · Parsnips, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI parsnips Pb reference · Parsnips, as sold. Parsnips, 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	11.3	11.3	15.5–26 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	11.3	11.3	14–25 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	34	50%
Norton et al. 2015	1	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for parsnips, 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:parsnips-d71b366f659d:d32cc6c77fa2

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 parsnips Pb reference · Parsnips, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	50	50	70
Alternative weighting	50	50	70

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 parsnips, 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 parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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:parsnips-7ef96ad800d1:14afb944af77

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 parsnips Cd reference · Parsnips, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI parsnips Cd reference · Parsnips, as sold. Parsnips, 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	7.1	7.1	28.4
Alternative weighting	7.1	7.1	26.2–26.7 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	31	50%
Norton et al. 2015	1	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for parsnips, 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:parsnips-66b14b88364c:25577992d7e2

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 parsnips Cd reference · Parsnips, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	130–135 (bounded)	300
Alternative weighting	≤10	130–135 (bounded)	300

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	4	50%
Nikolić et al. 2014	1	50%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:parsnips-6cda1edeac16:e6a6cd1cd7df

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 parsnips tAs reference · Parsnips, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI parsnips tAs reference · Parsnips, as sold. Parsnips, 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	1.89–7.02 (bounded)	6.5–9 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤5	1.89–7.02 (bounded)	6.5–9 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	8	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for parsnips, 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 parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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:parsnips-ae58e6392489:74f7db57ef4a

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 parsnips iAs reference · Parsnips, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI parsnips iAs reference · Parsnips, as sold. Parsnips, 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	25	42
Alternative weighting	6	25	42

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 parsnips, 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 parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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:parsnips-c60fcbc4a692:e82038e0cba6

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 parsnips iAs reference · Parsnips, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	42	42	42
Alternative weighting	42	42	42

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 parsnips, 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 parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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:parsnips-8b28e21fa871:7b1bb270959d

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 parsnips tHg reference · Parsnips, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.6	≤2.2	0.6–4 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤0.6	≤2.2	0.6–4 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for parsnips, 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 parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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:parsnips-b3bccfba28e7:5c69b293a8df

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 parsnips Ni reference · Parsnips, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI parsnips Ni reference · Parsnips, as sold, dry weight. Parsnips, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Nikolić et al. 2014	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for parsnips, 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

Nikolić et al. 2014 is the only compatible sampling family for parsnips, as sold on this basis in the completed parsnips 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

Nikolić et al. 2014

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:parsnips-042771e30d54:d12706e8e12b

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 parsnips

No study in the library compared parsnips 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 parsnips, as sold pools 35 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of 11.3 µg/kg and a middle half spanning 11.3 (lower quartile) and between 15.5 and 26 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 in parsnips, as sold, the reference median was 7.1 µg/kg, with a middle half from 7.1 to 28.4 µg/kg across 32 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 in parsnips, as sold, the reference median was between 130 and 135 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 10 to 300 µg/kg across 5 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, parsnips, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (5.35 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (50 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 (20 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (300 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For inorganic arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (39.2 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (42 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted parsnips, as sold samples in EURO had cadmium higher at 31 µg/kg, against 20 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

In one study, lead across 6 groups of parsnips ranged from 20 µg/kg (locality I (green markets, Novi Sad)) to 6,290 µg/kg (locality V (green markets, Novi Sad)); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

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

Mitigation for parsnips

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 parsnips for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 5 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 0.5 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) 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 →}

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

Buying and verifying parsnips

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

Exposure from parsnips

No source in the library converted parsnips 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 parsnips was decided on its content: 5 occurrence extracted, 5 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.

Parsnips FAQs

What heavy metals are found in parsnips?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, Ca, K, Mg and P in parsnips, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Norton 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 →}^{3Nikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, Župunski MD · 2014Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesFood and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014Read source →}^{4Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in parsnips, as sold from 322 results in 2 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.35 to 50 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 parsnips?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, parsnips, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (5.35 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (50 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 (20 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (300 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 parsnips 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 →}^{5European 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 9.2 µg/kg (mean) in parsnips, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{5European 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
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
Comparative assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals accumulation in vegetable speciesNikolić NP, Borišev MK, Pajević SP, Arsenov DD, and Župunski MD · Food and Feed Research 41(2): 115-123, 2014 · 2014 · doi.org/10.5937/ffr1402115nPeer-reviewed
Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
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 Parsnips 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 parsnips record in the library: 5 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View

1

2

3

4

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Food Additives

5

European Food Safety Authority

Heavy metals in Parsnips

Parsnips overview

What counts as parsnips

Heavy metal contamination profile of parsnips

How metals reach parsnips

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for parsnips

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing parsnips for metals

Buying and verifying parsnips

Exposure from parsnips

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Parsnips FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View