Heavy metals in Rice noodles

Quick read

Rice noodles in the HMI library has 174 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, V, Se, AsIII and AsV from 14 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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 →}^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid and others, in 174 results from 14 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the rice noodles 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →}

Rice noodles overview

Rice noodles in the HMI library has 174 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, V, Se, AsIII and AsV from 14 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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 →}^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in rice noodles, as sold from 41 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3 to 7.85 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, rice noodles, cooked had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013 reported lead at 4 µg/kg (mean) and cadmium at 20 µg/kg (mean) in rice noodles, as sold from all samples.^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →} Rajkowska-Myśliwiec et al. 2024 reported total arsenic at 151 µg/kg (mean ± 37.6 SD) in rice noodles, as sold from all samples, 6 manufacturers x 5 packages.^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read source →}

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

What counts as rice noodles

This page covers rice noodles in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: rice noodles, as sold (153 results), rice noodles, peel or outer layer (12 results) and rice noodles, cooked (9 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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 →}^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read 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 rice noodles

The table holds every extracted rice noodles result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 174 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead 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 →}^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read 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, 9 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

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

Rice noodles 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)

7 findings · 3 studies
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldGuo et al. 2017	all productsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020As sold / fresh	not detected.

5 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2013–2015As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020As sold / fresh	mean.

28 findings · 5 studies
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldGuo et al. 2017	all productsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldRajkowska-Myśliwiec et al. 2024	all samples, 6 manufacturers x 5 packages2023As sold / fresh	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
3 findings · 1 study
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

35 findings · 6 studies · 5 spread figures folded in
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2023As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2013–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2017As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (LB)2013–2018	median.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (LB)2013–2018	mean.Same samples: 47 µg/kg (percentile); 79 µg/kg (percentile)
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (LB)2013–2018	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (LB)2013–2018	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (UB)2013–2018	median.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (UB)2013–2018	mean.Same samples: 47 µg/kg (percentile); 80 µg/kg (percentile)
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (UB)2013–2018	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (UB)2013–2018	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.Same samples: 150 µg/kg (maximum)
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	max.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
3 findings · 1 study
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.

23 findings · 4 studies
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA CONTAM Panel 2024	EU market, all samples in commodity2012–2022	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
3 findings · 1 study
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	sample value.

21 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
3 findings · 1 study
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.
Rice noodles, peel or outer layerU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2013	Pasta2012–2013	not detected.

2 findings · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015As sold / fresh	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

3 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldGuo et al. 2017	all productsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.
1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

11 findings · 2 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 115,000 µg/kg (percentile); 240,000 µg/kg (percentile); 404,000 µg/kg (percentile); 639,000 µg/kg (percentile)
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	median.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	median.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	percentile.
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samples (range)Collection date unreported	range.
Rice noodles, as soldKongta et al. 2023	all samples (range)Collection date unreported	range.

2 findings · 2 studies
Rice noodles, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011As sold / fresh	median.
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldGuo et al. 2017	all productsCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	max.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Rice noodles, as soldNoh et al. 2023	all samples in category2019	mean.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI rice noodles Pb reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Pb reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	≤3.57	2.8–14 (bounded)	9–23.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4.29	2.4–14 (bounded)	9–23.5 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	15	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-d5307bc0b450:551c004c797e

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 rice noodles Pb reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Pb reference · Rice noodles, cooked. Rice noodles, cooked; 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	≤4	≤4
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤4	≤4

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	50%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rice-noodles-7a1c2ed23dd7:1f78cc1bbff6

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 rice noodles Cd reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Cd reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	12	16.5	21.4–21.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	13	17.6	21.7–21.8 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	14	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-2a752ee73d9c:7cacaeb1c2f9

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 rice noodles Cd reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Cd reference · Rice noodles, cooked. Rice noodles, cooked; 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	2.9	6.3	11
Alternative weighting	2.9	6.3	11

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-f699a9ccf946:7fa81feb989d

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 rice noodles tAs reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles tAs reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	86.5	91.5	132
Alternative weighting	83.3	90.3	108–110 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	14	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-d70d7da943e7:92b77b62d302

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 rice noodles tAs reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles tAs reference · Rice noodles, cooked. Rice noodles, cooked; 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	12	16	22
Alternative weighting	12	16	22

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-b78ca753e640:ec84702c299c

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 rice noodles iAs reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles iAs reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	23.3–28.3 (bounded)	50.6–52.8 (bounded)	73.1
Alternative weighting	10–20 (bounded)	47.4–48.5 (bounded)	65.2

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	12	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-79e0bd3576de:d4b8389ce609

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 rice noodles DMA reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles DMA reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	37.7	45.8	62
Alternative weighting	37.7	45.8	62

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-315b66fc7026:5277ed5f00fd

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 rice noodles tHg reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles tHg reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	0.45–1.6 (bounded)	1.1–1.95 (bounded)	1.6–3.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	0.45–1.6 (bounded)	1.1–1.95 (bounded)	1.6–3.5 (bounded)

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-c6f3b0767acc:73893bcc2584

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 rice noodles tHg reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-a9400e246013:694c90d8c851

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 rice noodles Ni reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Ni reference · Rice noodles, cooked. Rice noodles, cooked; 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	≤40	≤40	≤40
Alternative weighting	≤40	≤40	≤40

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-1b8903f3ef86:58da26b06e78

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 rice noodles Cr reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Cr reference · Rice noodles, cooked. Rice noodles, cooked; 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	≤50	≤50	≤50
Alternative weighting	≤50	≤50	≤50

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-b595599a76c6:ada576b39a0d

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 rice noodles Al reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Al reference · Rice noodles, as sold. Rice noodles, 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	48700	48700	48700
Alternative weighting	48700	48700	48700

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Kongta et al. 2023	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rice noodles, 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

Kongta et al. 2023 is the only compatible sampling family for rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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

Kongta et al. 2023

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rice-noodles-6750c071fdbb:c1631bf84d85

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 rice noodles Al reference · Rice noodles, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI rice noodles Al reference · Rice noodles, as sold, dry weight. Rice noodles, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	129000	129000	129000
Alternative weighting	129000	129000	129000

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Kongta et al. 2023	1	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Kongta et al. 2023 is the only compatible sampling family for rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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

Kongta et al. 2023

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rice-noodles-98e9a333f573:5c49e4bae9fd

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 rice noodles Sn reference · Rice noodles, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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 rice noodles, 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 rice noodles, as sold on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-a7185dd16d11:0215c26ae9cb

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 rice noodles U reference · Rice noodles, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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 rice noodles, cooked 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 rice noodles, cooked on this basis in the completed rice noodles 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:rice-noodles-977e6ac2f26b:5d70349ede1d

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 rice noodles

No study in the library compared rice noodles 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 rice noodles, cooked pools 4 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of below 4 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and below 4 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead 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 lead in rice noodles, as sold, the reference median was between 2.8 and 14 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 3.57 to between 9 and 23.5 µg/kg across 15 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in rice noodles, as sold, the reference median was 16.5 µg/kg, with a middle half from 12 to between 21.4 and 21.5 µg/kg across 14 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, rice noodles, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (3 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (7.85 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 (15 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (21.5 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 (68 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (132 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted rice noodles, as sold samples in EURO had inorganic arsenic higher at 133 µg/kg, against 79 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed rice noodles in the same study and group. Rice noodles, peel or outer layer (Pasta) had total arsenic higher at 240 µg/kg, against 160 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (rice noodles, as sold).^{7U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2013Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationRead source →}

Forms differ in water content, so a per-kilogram difference is not by itself a measured removal or gain of metal.

Mitigation for rice noodles

Controls with evidence for rice noodles 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 rice noodles for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 120 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 41 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 0.3 µg/kg (Rajkowska-Myśliwiec et al. 2024) to 200 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{6Rajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, Karp G · 2024Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthFoods 13(19):3153Read source →}

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

Buying and verifying rice noodles

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

Exposure from rice noodles

No source in the library converted rice noodles 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 rice noodles was decided on its content: 14 occurrence extracted, 14 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.

Rice noodles FAQs

What heavy metals are found in rice noodles?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, V, Se, AsIII and AsV in rice noodles, 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 →}^{3Guo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, Zhang J · 2017Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsWater, Air, & Soil PollutionRead source →}^{4Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · 2013The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in rice noodles, as sold from 41 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 3 to 7.85 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 rice noodles?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, rice noodles, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (3 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (7.85 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 (15 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (21.5 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Does processing change heavy metals in rice noodles?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same rice noodles.^{7U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2013Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationRead source →} Rice noodles, peel or outer layer (Pasta) had total arsenic higher at 240 µg/kg, against 160 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (rice noodles, as sold).^{7U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2013Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in rice noodles is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 43 results from 6 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{7U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2013Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationRead source →}^{13Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · 2012The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →}^{14EFSA, Arcella D, Cascio C, Gómez Ruiz JA · 2021Chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenicEFSA JournalRead source →}^{15European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}^{16Noh CH, Chun SH, Lim J, Kim MH, Choi S, Joo YS, Lee KW · 2023Monitoring arsenic species concentration in rice-based processed products distributed in South Korean markets and related risk assessmentFood Science and Biotechnology 32(10):1361-1372Read source →} Across 4 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported inorganic arsenic means and medians with the basis not stated ranged from 9 µg/kg (Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012) to 76 µg/kg (EFSA 2021).^{13Centre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · 2012The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionRead source →}^{14EFSA, Arcella D, Cascio C, Gómez Ruiz JA · 2021Chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenicEFSA JournalRead 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
Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food ProductsGuo K, Wells S, Han FX, Arslan Z, Sun H, and Zhang J · Water, Air, & Soil Pollution · 2017 · doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3262-3Peer-reviewed
The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic ContaminantsCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) · Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region · 2013 · www.cfs.gov.hkGovernment
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
Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer HealthRajkowska-Myśliwiec M, Ciemniak A, and Karp G · Foods 13(19):3153 · 2024 · doi.org/10.3390/foods13193153Peer-reviewed
Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2013 · www.fda.govRegulation
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
The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic ArsenicCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR · Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region · 2012 · www.cfs.gov.hkGovernment
Chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenicEFSA, Arcella D, Cascio C, and Gómez Ruiz JA · EFSA Journal · 2021 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6380Government
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government
Monitoring arsenic species concentration in rice-based processed products distributed in South Korean markets and related risk assessmentNoh CH, Chun SH, Lim J, Kim MH, Choi S, Joo YS, et al. · Food Science and Biotechnology 32(10):1361-1372 · 2023 · doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01270-9Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Rice noodles 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 rice noodles record in the library: 14 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

Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food Products

4

The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic Contaminants

5

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

6

Arsenic in Rice and Rice-Based Products with Regard to Consumer Health

Food and Drug Administration

7

Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling, September 2013

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

13

The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Inorganic Arsenic

14

EFSA

Chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic

15

Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European population

16

Monitoring arsenic species concentration in rice-based processed products distributed in South Korean markets and related risk assessment