Heavy metals in Popcorn

Quick read

Popcorn in the HMI library has 83 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ba, Mo, Si and Sr from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 83 results from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the popcorn 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 →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read 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 →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}

Popcorn overview

Popcorn in the HMI library has 83 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ba, Mo, Si and Sr from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in popcorn, as sold from 65 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3.4 to 50 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In the US Total Diet Study, popcorn, as sold had a median lead result below 5 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 3.8 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 107 µg/kg (Bielecka et al. 2022).^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} For cadmium, 2 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 3.68 µg/kg (Bielecka et al. 2022) to 6 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024).^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

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

What counts as popcorn

This page covers popcorn, as sold (83 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read 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 popcorn

The table holds every extracted popcorn result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 83 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Orisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, Bede O · 2012Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaChemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77Read 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 →}

18 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 1 value from 1 source failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}

Comparison methods and scope

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

Popcorn 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 · 7 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2004	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2012–2017	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005–2012	median.
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	mean.Same samples: 53.7 µg/kg (minimum); 117 µg/kg (maximum); 88.5 µg/kg (percentile); 115 µg/kg (percentile)
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	min.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	max.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.
Popcorn, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
Popcorn, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Popcorn, as soldSalama et al. 2005	cereal product, markets in five districts of AlexandriaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

15 findings · 7 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EMRO2018–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2004	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO1999–2018	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2017	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	mean.Same samples: min 0 µg/kg; 6.24 µg/kg (maximum); 1.91 µg/kg (percentile); 5.37 µg/kg (percentile)
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	min.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	max.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	not detected.
Popcorn, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
Popcorn, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Popcorn, as soldSalama et al. 2005	cereal product, markets in five districts of AlexandriaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

12 findings · 5 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2018–2022	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2018–2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2023	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2019	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2010–2014	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	mean.Same samples: min 0 µg/kg; 10.7 µg/kg (maximum); Q1 0 µg/kg; 10.4 µg/kg (percentile)
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	min.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	max.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	not detected.
Popcorn, as soldVentura et al. 2025	pooled TDS sample2014–2016	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2019	median.

8 findings · 4 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2005	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2014	median.
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	median.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	mean.Same samples: 1.16 µg/kg (minimum); 3.88 µg/kg (maximum); 1.92 µg/kg (percentile); 3.09 µg/kg (percentile)
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	min.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	max.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldBielecka et al. 2022	product subgroup2021	percentile.
Popcorn, as soldDabeka et al. 2003	Ottawa composite (retail Oct-Nov 2000)1998–2000	not detected.
Popcorn, as soldDabeka et al. 2003	Whitehorse composite (retail Jan-Feb 1998)1998–2000	not detected.

3 findings · 3 studies
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.
Popcorn, as soldOrisakwe et al. 2012	all samples (Ohaji, Umuagwo, Owerri sites)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

2 findings · 2 studies
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.
Popcorn, as soldTakanashi et al. 2018	Popcorn-1,22015–2016Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldVentura et al. 2025	pooled TDS sample2014–2016	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldSalama et al. 2005	cereal product, markets in five districts of AlexandriaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldSalama et al. 2005	cereal product, markets in five districts of AlexandriaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldVentura et al. 2025	pooled TDS sample2014–2016	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldVentura et al. 2025	pooled TDS sample2014–2016	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldElsheikh et al. 2020	retail brand 4Collection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Popcorn, as soldVentura et al. 2025	pooled TDS sample2014–2016	sample value.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI popcorn Pb reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Pb reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	6.5–23 (bounded)	107
Alternative weighting	≤5	6.5–20 (bounded)	107

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	28	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Bielecka et al. 2022	1	33%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-aae353d1ed32:e07b7128cfe5

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 popcorn Cd reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Cd reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	≤4.03	4.03–5.1 (bounded)	6.1–6.2 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4.03	4.03–5.1 (bounded)	6.1–6.2 (bounded)

49 reference units; 4 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	44	25%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	25%
Bielecka et al. 2022	1	25%
Elsheikh et al. 2020	1	25%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

4 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:popcorn-0e72541dec60:12f238984727

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 popcorn tAs reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn tAs reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	≤4	≤5.4	3.82–12 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤5.4	3.82–12 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	9	20%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	20%
Bielecka et al. 2022	1	20%
Elsheikh et al. 2020	1	20%
Ventura et al. 2025	1	20%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-7fc47138fca2:eb6e4dd6e793

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 popcorn iAs reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn iAs reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	≤15	7.5–15.8 (bounded)	15–16.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤15	7.5–15.8 (bounded)	15–16.5 (bounded)

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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:popcorn-8ded65e37ab3:e2898bf30a31

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 popcorn tHg reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn tHg reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	≤0.44	≤1	2
Alternative weighting	≤0.44	≤1	2

13 reference units; 4 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	7	25%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	25%
Bielecka et al. 2022	1	25%
Dabeka et al. 2003	2	25%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

4 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:popcorn-19cdabebc6a6:b97448c5cf5b

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 popcorn Ni reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Ni reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	220	240	290
Alternative weighting	220	240	290

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-fc6215e76d5b:f873982e6cf0

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 popcorn Cr reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Cr reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	200	200	200
Alternative weighting	200	200	200

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-ca7f0bbb30a6:1ede51d2d1cd

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 popcorn Sn reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)	100–130 (bounded)

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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:popcorn-10e67f4a2df0:991bad81938e

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 popcorn U reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤2	≤2	≤2
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤2	≤2

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-c7f8d4d01ee4:4591cc60aa44

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 popcorn Co reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Co reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	≤25	≤25	≤25
Alternative weighting	≤25	≤25	≤25

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Ventura et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

Ventura et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-05674cd5eeb9:825a525d0ecd

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 popcorn Se reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Se reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	37	37	37
Alternative weighting	37	37	37

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Ventura et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

Ventura et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-176556cf63c6:b99f508c65a3

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 popcorn Mo reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Mo reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	123	123	123
Alternative weighting	123	123	123

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Ventura et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

Ventura et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-0369bed4d5ba:ecb1ff2ac2cd

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 popcorn Sr reference · Popcorn, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI popcorn Sr reference · Popcorn, as sold. Popcorn, 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	1040	1040	1040
Alternative weighting	1040	1040	1040

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Ventura et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Ventura et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for popcorn, as sold on this basis in the completed popcorn 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

Ventura et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:popcorn-90846540215e:76afdad76833

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 popcorn

No study in the library compared popcorn 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 popcorn, as sold pools 32 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of between 6.5 and 23 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 5 (lower quartile) and 107 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →} For cadmium in popcorn, as sold, the reference median was between 4.03 and 5.1 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 4.03 to between 6.1 and 6.2 µg/kg across 49 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →} For total arsenic in popcorn, as sold, the reference median was below 5.4 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 4 to between 3.82 and 12 µg/kg across 15 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →}^{7Ventura M, Rego A, Gueifão S, Delgado I, Coelho I · 2025Dietary Exposure to Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in the Portuguese Population: A Total Diet Study ApproachFoodsRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, popcorn, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (3.4 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 (4.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EMRO (14 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For total arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (7 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (245 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

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

Mitigation for popcorn

Controls with evidence for popcorn act at the stages below. Grow corn away from cement plants and other industrial emitters (evidence from corn): maize from the three farms downwind of the plant averaged 230–380 µg/kg lead, against 20 µg/kg at a control farm 18 km upwind; a farm 2.7 km upwind averaged 10 µg/kg.^{8Abatemi-Usman S, Akindele O, Ayanlade A, Perez M, Attahiru I, Norton G, Feldmann J, Krupp E · 2023Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implicationsJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental EpidemiologyRead source →} Blend maize and other grains with rice in infant foods (evidence from corn): infant porridges and cakes mixing rice with maize and other gluten-free grains had median inorganic arsenic of 10 and 8 µg/kg, against 66 and 60 µg/kg for pure rice products; maize’s own share was not measured.^{9Carey M, Donaldson E, Signes-Pastor AJ, Meharg AA · 2018Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standardsPLoS ONERead source →} Irrigate corn with fresh or ground water, not wastewater (evidence from corn): maize irrigated with sewage or industrial wastewater carried 260–550 µg/kg lead and 38–112 µg/kg cadmium; maize irrigated with Nile or ground water in the same governorates carried 30 µg/kg lead and 10 µg/kg cadmium or less.^{10Adel S. El-Hassanin, Magdy R. Samak, Gomaa N. Abdel-Rahman, Yahia H. Abu-Sree, Essam M. Saleh · 2020Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwaterToxicology Reports 7:10-15Read source →}

Keep corn fields away from coal-fired power plants (evidence from corn): maize mercury fell from about 21 µg/kg at 1 km to 4.7–6.7 µg/kg at 3 km and 1.06 µg/kg at 5 km; maize bought at a grocery store more than 55 km away held 0.72 µg/kg.^{11Li R, Wu H, Ding J, Fu W, Gan L, Li Y · 2017Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plantsScientific ReportsRead source →} Ask for origin and lot lead results on maize grain (evidence from corn): western Pacific submissions from 2001–2010 had 24 of 327 lead results above 200 µg/kg against 8 of 890 in Europe, and European exceedances fell to none of 400 in 2014–2020.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Test each lot against the limit for its form (evidence from corn): the EU limits lead at 200 µg/kg and cadmium at 100 µg/kg for cereals, and lead at 100 µg/kg and cadmium at 20 µg/kg for sweet corn, on a wet-weight basis; nickel limits apply from July 2025 for sweet corn (400 µg/kg) and July 2026 for cereals (800 µg/kg).^{12European Commission · 2023Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006Official Journal of the European UnionRead source →}

About this table

ControlMaterialEffectsEvidence

Control

Material

Effects

Evidence

Grow corn away from cement plants and other industrial emitterscultivation · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

1

Abatemi-Usman et al. 2023

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedDownwind farms higher (observational)Grain lead, dry weightFarm 2.3 km downwind against control farmMaize grain, dry weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (380 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 1800.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

LeadIncreasedDownwind farms higher (observational)Grain lead, dry weightFarm 0.7 km downwind against control farmMaize grain, dry weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (230 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 1050.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Downwind farms against the upwind control farm, same harvest and method; 12–24 cobs per farm.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize from the three farms downwind of the plant averaged 230–380 µg/kg lead, against 20 µg/kg at a control farm 18 km upwind; a farm 2.7 km upwind averaged 10 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain from five farms around a cement plant, Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria, 2017 harvest
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Downwind farms higher (observational)	20 → 380 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, dry weight	Table 4, p. 5
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Downwind farms higher (observational)	20 → 230 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, dry weight	Table 4, p. 5

Observational; one plant and harvest.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Farmland near a cement plant; wind direction mattered more than distance.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Irrigate corn with fresh or ground water, not wastewatercultivation · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

Cd · Increased

1

El-Hassanin et al. 2020

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedWastewater irrigation higher (observational)Grain leadKafr-Dokhmais against Al-Hawia (Kafr El-Sheikh)Maize grain, basis not statedHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (550 − 30) / 30 × 100 = 1733.3%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

CadmiumIncreasedWastewater irrigation higher (observational)Grain cadmiumAl-Nasiria against Al-Hawia (Kafr El-Sheikh)Maize grain, basis not statedHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (112 − 10) / 10 × 100 = 1020.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Wastewater-irrigated sites against the fresh-water site in the same governorate; three field points per site.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize irrigated with sewage or industrial wastewater carried 260–550 µg/kg lead and 38–112 µg/kg cadmium; maize irrigated with Nile or ground water in the same governorates carried 30 µg/kg lead and 10 µg/kg cadmium or less.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain from nine sites in Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh and Giza, Egypt, August 2017
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Where low-quality irrigation water is used.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Where low-quality irrigation water is used.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Wastewater irrigation higher (observational)	30 → 550 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, basis not stated	Table 4
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Wastewater irrigation higher (observational)	10 → 112 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, basis not stated	Table 5

Observational; basis not stated; one season.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Where low-quality irrigation water is used.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Keep corn fields away from coal-fired power plantscultivation · As reported

Corn

tHg · Increased

tHg · Decreased

1

Li et al. 2017

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

Total mercuryIncreasedNear-plant maize higher (observational)Grain mercury, fresh weight1 km from plant B against grocery controlMaize grain, fresh weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (21.18 − 0.72) / 0.72 × 100 = 2841.7%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Total mercuryDecreasedLower with distance (observational)Grain mercury, fresh weight5 km against 1 km from plant BMaize grain, fresh weightHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (1.06 − 21.18) / 21.18 × 100 = -95.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Distance gradient from each plant against a retail control.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Maize mercury fell from about 21 µg/kg at 1 km to 4.7–6.7 µg/kg at 3 km and 1.06 µg/kg at 5 km; maize bought at a grocery store more than 55 km away held 0.72 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain near two coal-fired power plants, China, 2015
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Areas downwind of coal combustion.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Areas downwind of coal combustion.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Total mercury (tHg)	As reported	Near-plant maize higher (observational)	0.72 → 21.18 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, fresh weight	Table 2
Total mercury (tHg)	As reported	Lower with distance (observational)	21.18 → 1.06 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, fresh weight	Table 2

Observational; sample counts per site not stated.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Areas downwind of coal combustion.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Choose durum cultivars with the functional HMA3 allelecultivation · As reported

Wheat

Cd · Decreased

1

Maccaferri et al. 2019

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedTwo- to threefold lower transport to grain with the functional alleleGrain cadmiumB1a versus B1b linesGrain as reportedNot quantified · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Near-isogenic lines and a global durum collection, B1a versus B1b.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The non-functional TdHMA3-B1b allele gives two- to threefold more cadmium transport to shoots and grain than the functional B1a allele; a PCR marker distinguishes low- and high-cadmium lines.

Context	Selected control
Material	Durum wheat germplasm and near-isogenic lines
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.
Tested scale	Genetic study
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	The low-cadmium line grew less under zinc deficiency; no agronomic penalty under adequate zinc.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Measured comparison. Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Two- to threefold lower transport to grain with the functional allele	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 893; Fig. 8

No grain concentrations in the main text.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Durum breeding and cultivar choice; 68% of modern durum cultivars carry the high-cadmium allele.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Fungicide at booting on high-cadmium soilcultivation · As reported

Wheat

Cd · Decreased

1

Motta-Romero et al. 2021

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower with fungicide (upper end of cultivar range)Grain cadmium, cultivar meansUntreated versus fungicideGrain as reportedModerate · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (140 − 190) / 190 × 100 = -26.3%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

CadmiumDecreasedLower with fungicide (lower end of cultivar range)Grain cadmium, cultivar meansUntreated versus fungicideGrain as reportedModerate · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (70 − 100) / 100 × 100 = -30.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Untreated plots of the same cultivars, site and years.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

A single metconazole application at booting lowered the range of cultivar grain cadmium means from 100–190 to 70–140 µg/kg.

Context	Selected control
Material	Hard winter wheat, 18 cultivars, Nebraska, 2017–2018
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.
Tested scale	Field trial
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Measured comparison. One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower with fungicide (upper end of cultivar range)	190 → 140 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	Results p. 10; Table 2
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower with fungicide (lower end of cultivar range)	100 → 70 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	Results p. 10; Table 2

Attributed to yield dilution; other chemistries untested.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

One site with naturally elevated soil cadmium; one fungicide chemistry.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Blend maize and other grains with rice in infant foodsproduct formulation · As reported

Corn

iAs · Decreased

1

Carey et al. 2018

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

Inorganic arsenicDecreasedMulti-grain porridge lower (observational)Median inorganic arsenicMulti-grain against pure-rice porridgeAs soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (10 − 66) / 66 × 100 = -84.8%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Inorganic arsenicDecreasedMulti-grain cakes lower (observational)Median inorganic arsenicMulti-grain against pure-rice cakesAs soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (8 − 60) / 60 × 100 = -86.7%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Multi-grain against pure-rice products, as sold.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Infant porridges and cakes mixing rice with maize and other gluten-free grains had median inorganic arsenic of 10 and 8 µg/kg, against 66 and 60 µg/kg for pure rice products; maize’s own share was not measured.

Context	Selected control
Material	Infant porridges and cakes sold in Europe
Stage	product formulation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.
Tested scale	Market survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Inorganic arsenic (iAs)	As reported	Multi-grain porridge lower (observational)	66 → 10 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	As sold	Results
Inorganic arsenic (iAs)	As reported	Multi-grain cakes lower (observational)	60 → 8 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	As sold	Results

Observational market comparison.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Infant food formulation; maize contribution not isolated.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Ask for origin and lot lead results on maize grainsourcing and procurement · As reported

Corn

Pb · Increased

1

WHO GEMS/Food

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadIncreasedWestern Pacific medians higher (observational)Median grain lead (upper bounds)WPRO against EURO random samplingMaize grain, as soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (50 − 20) / 20 × 100 = 150.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Reporting regions and periods within one monitoring dataset.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Western Pacific submissions from 2001–2010 had 24 of 327 lead results above 200 µg/kg against 8 of 890 in Europe, and European exceedances fell to none of 400 in 2014–2020.

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain submitted to GEMS/Food from Europe and the Western Pacific
Stage	sourcing and procurement
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.
Tested scale	Monitoring dataset
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational field survey. Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Western Pacific medians higher (observational)	20 → 50 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Maize grain, as sold	primary/gemsfood-corn-records.csv

Observational; reporting regions are not growing areas.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Buyers sourcing maize grain internationally.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Test each lot against the limit for its formlot acceptance and release · As reported

Corn

Pb · Context

Cd · Context

Guidance

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915

HMI source record · Original source

Official guidance; not an independent experimental dataset. Reused across actions without adding studies.

Effects and comparators

LeadRegulatory limit; detection, not removalLead limitCereals 200 µg/kg; sweet corn 100 µg/kgWet weightContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

CadmiumRegulatory limit; detection, not removalCadmium limitCereals 100 µg/kg; sweet corn 20 µg/kgWet weightContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Regulatory limits; no measured effect.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The EU limits lead at 200 µg/kg and cadmium at 100 µg/kg for cereals, and lead at 100 µg/kg and cadmium at 20 µg/kg for sweet corn, on a wet-weight basis; nickel limits apply from July 2025 for sweet corn (400 µg/kg) and July 2026 for cereals (800 µg/kg).

Context	Selected control
Material	Maize grain and sweet corn placed on the EU market
Stage	lot acceptance and release
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands · Consumers
Period	As reported
Conditions	Corn placed on the EU market.
Tested scale	Regulation
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific lead and cadmium results on the form sold, using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Regulatory or author guidance. Corn placed on the EU market.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching corn, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Regulatory limit; detection, not removal	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Wet weight	Annex I 3.1.11, 3.1.4.2
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Regulatory limit; detection, not removal	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Wet weight	Annex I 3.2.12.1, 3.2.4.1

Testing detects contamination; it does not remove it.

Differences are read from the source means or medians shown in outcomes.

Basis as stated in outcomes; no mass balance reported.

Trade-offs and implementation

Mycotoxins are outside this table.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Corn placed on the EU market.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled field or commercial-scale intervention effect	No controlled field or commercial corn intervention study in the library; keep effects unquantified unless measured.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Milling durum wheatgrain processing · As reported

Wheat

Ni · Context

Cd · Context

Guidance

Thielecke and Nugent 2018

HMI source record · Original source

Official guidance; not an independent experimental dataset. Reused across actions without adding studies.

Effects and comparators

NickelReported reduction; no valuesMilled productGrain versus milled productGrain as reportedContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

CadmiumReported reduction; no valuesMilled productGrain versus milled productGrain as reportedContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Durum grain versus milled products (secondary citation).

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The review reports that milling durum wheat reduced nickel most, then arsenic, cadmium and lead, without measured percentages.

Context	Selected control
Material	Durum wheat (review of milling studies)
Stage	grain processing
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Durum milling.
Tested scale	Review
Sample units	Source sampling units; plots, pots or lots as stated.
Trade-offs	Other metals, yield and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific cadmium and lead results using an adequate quantification limit.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Author guidance or regulatory assessment. Durum milling.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching or retained in the grain, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Nickel (Ni)	As reported	Reported reduction; no values	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 13
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Reported reduction; no values	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Grain as reported	p. 13

Secondary citation without numbers.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed unless stated.

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Durum milling.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
commercial-scale effect	No commercial-field intervention study in the library; keep effects scoped to the tested scale.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

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 popcorn for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.2 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 4,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.017 µg/kg (Bielecka et al. 2022) to 1,200 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 →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 0.019 µg/kg (Bielecka et al. 2022) 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 →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}

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

Buying and verifying popcorn

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

Exposure from popcorn

No source in the library converted popcorn 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 popcorn was decided on its content: 10 occurrence extracted, 10 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.

Popcorn FAQs

What heavy metals are found in popcorn?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, V, Se, Ba, Mo, Si and Sr in popcorn, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Bielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, Socha K · 2022Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsNutrients 2022, 14, 2342Read source →}^{4Elsheikh MA, Ali DMH, Alotaibi SH · 2020Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESAsian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in popcorn, as sold from 65 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3.4 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 popcorn?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, popcorn, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (3.4 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 (4.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EMRO (14 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 popcorn is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 1 result from 1 source, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported inorganic arsenic in popcorn, as sold from 4 results in 1 reporting region, with subgroup medians below 15.8 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

References

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

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish ResidentsBielecka J, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Puścion-Jakubik A, Grabia M, Nowakowski P, Soroczyńska J, et al. · Nutrients 2022, 14, 2342 · 2022 · doi.org/10.3390/nu14112342Peer-reviewed
Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OESElsheikh MA, Ali DMH, and Alotaibi SH · Asian Journal of Chemistry 32(6):1273-1278 · 2020 · doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2020.22499Peer-reviewed
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, NigeriaOrisakwe OE, Nduka JK, Amadi CN, Dike DO, and Bede O · Chemistry Central Journal 2012, 6:77 · 2012 · doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-6-77Peer-reviewed
Dietary Exposure to Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in the Portuguese Population: A Total Diet Study ApproachVentura M, Rego A, Gueifão S, Delgado I, and Coelho I · Foods · 2025 · doi.org/10.3390/foods15050838Peer-reviewed
Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implicationsAbatemi-Usman S, Akindele O, Ayanlade A, Perez M, Attahiru I, Norton G, et al. · Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology · 2023 · doi.org/10.1038/s41370-023-00548-8Peer-reviewed
Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standardsCarey M, Donaldson E, Signes-Pastor AJ, and Meharg AA · PLoS ONE · 2018 · doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194700Peer-reviewed
Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwaterAdel S. El-Hassanin, Magdy R. Samak, Gomaa N. Abdel-Rahman, Yahia H. Abu-Sree, and Essam M. Saleh · Toxicology Reports 7:10-15 · 2020 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.11.018Peer-reviewed
Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plantsLi R, Wu H, Ding J, Fu W, Gan L, and Li Y · Scientific Reports · 2017 · doi.org/10.1038/srep46545Peer-reviewed
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006European Commission · Official Journal of the European Union · 2023 · eur-lex.europa.euRegulation

Sources

Browse Popcorn 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 popcorn record in the library: 10 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts and stage-led controls.

Graph View

1

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exports

2

FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical Results

3

Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish Residents

4

Evaluation of Some Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children Foods and Infant Formulae by Using ICP-OES

5

Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020

6

Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, Nigeria

Food and Drug Administration

7

Dietary Exposure to Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in the Portuguese Population: A Total Diet Study Approach

8

Trace elements concentrations in soil contaminate corn in the vicinity of a cement-manufacturing plant: potential health implications

9

Dilution of rice with other gluten free grains to lower inorganic arsenic in foods for young children in response to European Union regulations provides impetus to setting stricter standards

10

Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in maize grains cultivated in soils irrigated either with low-quality water or freshwater

11

Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plants

12

European Commission

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006