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Heavy metals in Swordfish

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

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Swordfish in the HMI library has 187 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, mercury, chromium, tin, Cu, Se, Se(IV), Se(VI), SeCys, SeMet and tSe from 23 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, Sandamali JD · 2022Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)International Journal of Current Science Research and ReviewRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →4Oktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, Okabayashi T · 2023Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureVeterinary WorldRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead source →

Swordfish overview

Swordfish in the HMI library has 187 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, mercury, chromium, tin, Cu, Se, Se(IV), Se(VI), SeCys, SeMet and tSe from 23 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, Sandamali JD · 2022Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)International Journal of Current Science Research and ReviewRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →4Oktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, Okabayashi T · 2023Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureVeterinary WorldRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in swordfish, as sold from 839 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians below 20 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium, GEMS/Food gave subgroup medians from 30 to 53 µg/kg from 1,146 results.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Across 3 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 10.7 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018) to 119 µg/kg (Rodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019).3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead source → For cadmium, 4 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 2.2 µg/kg (Rodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019) to 92.5 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018).3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead source →

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

What counts as swordfish

This page covers swordfish in 2 forms kept separate in every comparison: swordfish, as sold (178 results) and swordfish, peeled or flesh (9 results).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, Sandamali JD · 2022Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)International Journal of Current Science Research and ReviewRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →4Oktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, Okabayashi T · 2023Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureVeterinary WorldRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead 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 swordfish

The table holds every extracted swordfish result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 187 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 →2Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, Sandamali JD · 2022Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)International Journal of Current Science Research and ReviewRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →4Oktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, Okabayashi T · 2023Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureVeterinary WorldRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →6Rodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, Wakida FT · 2019Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoHealth ScopeRead 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 →

68 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 4 values from 3 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.7Handayani T, Maarif MS, Riani E, Djazuli N · 2019Kandungan Logam Berat Merkuri Pada Ikan Tuna (Yellowfin dan Bigeye) dan Tuna-like (Swordfish) Hasil Tangkapan dari Samudera Hindia dan Samudera PasifikJurnal Pascapanen dan Bioteknologi Kelautan dan PerikananRead source →8Unknown authors · 2025Species-specific mercury speciation in billfishes and itsPeer-reviewed articleRead source →9Mehouel F, Bouayad L, Berber A, Van Hauteghem I, Van de Wiele M · 2019Risk assessment of mercury and methyl mercury intake via sardine and swordfish consumption in AlgeriaJournal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical SocietyRead source →

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of swordfish, 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
Swordfish findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food formCollection scopeFinding (µg/kg)ComparisonEvidence
15 findings · 7 studies · 3 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2019median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2019median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2008–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodSEARO2011–2012median.
Swordfish, as soldDASU et al. 2022export-company secondary data, all samples2015–2017not detected.
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 3 µg/kg (minimum); 31.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Indian Ocean, FAO zone 572012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Pacific Ocean, FAO zone 712012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013Fresh Swordfish (Galicia, Spain)2009–2010not detected.
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013fresh, origin Galicia, Spain2009–2010median.Same samples: 64 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013fresh, origin Galicia, Spain2009–2010percentile.
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019all samples2016mean.
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019Fresh Swordfish2016range.
Swordfish, as soldSmolikova et al. 2016one batch of this species (batch not identified in text)2015–2016sample value.
Swordfish, as soldSmolikova et al. 2016Swordfish IX2015–2016mean.
14 findings · 7 studies · 7 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2006median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2005–2006median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003–2019median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2005–2006median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2004–2019median.
Swordfish, as soldDASU et al. 2022export-company secondary data, all samples2015–2017not detected.
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007median.
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007mean.Same samples: 399 µg/kg (maximum); 8 µg/kg (percentile); 228 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 38.5 µg/kg (minimum); 168 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Indian Ocean, FAO zone 572012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Pacific Ocean, FAO zone 712012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013fresh, origin Galicia, Spain2009–2010median.Same samples: 2 µg/kg (percentile); 60 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019all samples2016mean.
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019Fresh Swordfish2016range.
8 findings · 4 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2011–2015median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2014median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2014–2023median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2016median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2014–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldDASU et al. 2022export-company secondary data, all samples2015–2017not detected.
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 944 µg/kg (minimum); 1,970 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013fresh, origin Galicia, Spain2009–2010median.Same samples: 10 µg/kg (percentile); 910 µg/kg (percentile)
3 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2017–2023median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2017median.
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 4.1 µg/kg (minimum); 14 µg/kg (maximum)
2 findings · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2021median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2017median.
50 findings · 19 studies · 17 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2005–2020median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2006–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2007–2020median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2005–2014median.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2021demersal-pelagic fish, Apulian retail purchase2019sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportedmean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025New Caledonia (Pacific)2013–2022sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Reunion Island (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Seychelles (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025South Africa (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, Reunion Islands2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, Seychelles2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, South Africa2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldBlanco et al. 2023all years 2011-2017, THg measurements2011–2017median.Same samples: 70–2,700 µg/kg (range)
Swordfish, as soldBlanco et al. 2023sampling year 20112011–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldBlanco et al. 2023sampling year 20132011–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldBlanco et al. 2023sampling year 20172011–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldChristian et al. 2024all samples, family2005–2023geometric mean.
Swordfish, as soldChristian et al. 2024Swordfishes (Xiphiidae)2005–2023range.
Swordfish, as soldGarofalo et al. 2025all samples (marine fish species group)2014–2023median.
Swordfish, as soldGarofalo et al. 2025all samples (marine fish species group)2014–2023mean.Same samples: 2,900 µg/kg (maximum); 1,700 µg/kg (percentile); 2,400 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldGarofalo et al. 2025samples exceeding the 1 mg/kg ML2014–2023mean.
Swordfish, as soldGarofalo et al. 2025Swordfish, non-compliant samples2014–2023range.
Swordfish, as soldHarding et al. 2018outer Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine (pelagic)2000–2003median.
Swordfish, as soldHarding et al. 2018outer Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine (pelagic)2000–2003mean.Same samples: 428–3,230 µg/kg (range)
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 1,090 µg/kg (minimum); 2,290 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Algiers coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019all samples (3 Algerian coasts)2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Bejaia coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Oran coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Indian Ocean, FAO zone 572012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOktariani et al. 2023Pacific Ocean, FAO zone 712012–2016range.
Swordfish, as soldOlmedo et al. 2013fresh, origin Galicia, Spain2009–2010median.Same samples: 177 µg/kg (percentile); 1,230 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019all samples2016mean.
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019Fresh Swordfish2016range.
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017all samples of this species group2014–2015median.
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017all samples of this species group2014–2015mean.Same samples: 1,240 µg/kg (minimum); 1,880 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldYamashita 2024all samples2022–2023median.Same samples: 70 µg/kg (minimum); 2,190 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldYamashita 2024all samples (25th percentile)2022–2023percentile.
Swordfish, as soldYamashita 2024all samples (75th percentile)2022–2023percentile.
Swordfish, as soldYamashita 2024single specimen2022–2023sample value.
Swordfish, as soldCommittee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food 20042002 FSA UK survey, imported fish/shellfish and UK farmed fish2002Basis not statedmean.
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not statedmedian.
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not statedmean.Same samples: 6,760 µg/kg (maximum); 3,300 µg/kg (percentile); 4,500 µg/kg (percentile); 5,300 µg/kg (percentile)
Swordfish, as soldHandayani et al. 2019all groups, lowest group mean2012–2017Basis not statedmean.
Swordfish, as soldHandayani et al. 2019Indian Ocean, highest weight group2012–2017Basis not statedmean.
Swordfish, as soldHandayani et al. 2019Pacific Ocean (Bitung)2012–2017Basis not statedrange.
Swordfish, as soldHandayani et al. 2019Pacific Ocean (Bitung), highest group mean2012–2017Basis not statedmax.
Swordfish, as soldRalston et al. 2014all samples1977–1978Basis not statedmean.
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017Swordfish2014–2015Basis not statedrange.
5 findings · 2 studies
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish algiers2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish all2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish bejaia2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish oran2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshBlanco et al. 2023Pez espada/emperador 2011-20172011–2017Basis not statedmean.
24 findings · 10 studies · 6 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2013–2017median.
Swordfish, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2006–2014median.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2021demersal-pelagic fish, Apulian retail purchase2019sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportedmean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025New Caledonia (Pacific)2013–2022sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Reunion Island (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Seychelles (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025South Africa (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, Reunion Islands2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, Seychelles2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Swordfish, Indian Ocean, South Africa2013–2022range.
Swordfish, as soldHarding et al. 2018outer Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine (pelagic)2000–2003median.
Swordfish, as soldHarding et al. 2018outer Bay of Fundy / Gulf of Maine (pelagic)2000–2003mean.Same samples: 249–1,190 µg/kg (range)
Swordfish, as soldHsi et al. 2016Taipei City markets, 20142007–2014mean.
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 627 µg/kg (minimum); 1,080 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Algiers coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019all samples (3 Algerian coasts)2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Bejaia coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldMehouel et al. 2019Oran coast2017mean.
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017all samples of this species group2014–2015median.
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017all samples of this species group2014–2015mean.Same samples: 1,020 µg/kg (minimum); 1,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not statedmedian.
Swordfish, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not statedmean.Same samples: 1,080 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldWatanabe et al. 2017Swordfish2014–2015Basis not statedrange.
4 findings · 1 study
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish algiers2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish all2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish bejaia2017range.
Swordfish, peeled or fleshMehouel et al. 2019swordfish oran2017range.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldDASU et al. 2022Swordfish, June to September 2017, all stations2015–2017Basis not statedrange.
3 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 10.8 µg/kg (minimum); 84.8 µg/kg (maximum)
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019all samples2016mean.
Swordfish, as soldRodriguez-Mendivil et al. 2019Fresh Swordfish2016range.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 4.8 µg/kg (minimum); 18.4 µg/kg (maximum)
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Swordfish, as soldMarín et al. 2018Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011mean.Same samples: 302 µg/kg (minimum); 506 µg/kg (maximum)
6 findings · 3 studies
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2021demersal-pelagic fish, Apulian retail purchase2019sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025New Caledonia (Pacific)2013–2022sample value.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Reunion Island (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025Seychelles (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2025South Africa (Indian Ocean)2013–2022mean.
Swordfish, as soldRalston et al. 2014all samples1977–1978Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportednot detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportednot detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportedmean.
1 finding · 1 study
Swordfish, as soldauthors 2023Pacific and Indian Ocean originCollection date unreportedmean.
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 swordfish Pb reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤4.35≤2025
Alternative weighting≤4.35≤2025

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food3533%
Olmedo et al. 2013133%
Smolikova et al. 2016133%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-2d4e63234c29:6c53a842eede

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 swordfish Cd reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference935.935.9
Alternative weighting935.935.9

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2933%
EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009133%
Olmedo et al. 2013133%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-3c04fd7a34e5:3c7eaa467d1b

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 swordfish tAs reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference961981040
Alternative weighting961981100

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1750%
Olmedo et al. 2013150%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-3ca625c93020:8b5f3d8a5ad0

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 swordfish iAs reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤10≤20≤20
Alternative weighting≤10≤20≤20

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food5100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-a9d0ea9c2025:7d14f938537c

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 swordfish DMA reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1010–20 (bounded)20–30 (bounded)
Alternative weighting≤1010–20 (bounded)20–30 (bounded)

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-65cca039c484:cc78cab0c1c5

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 swordfish tHg reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference5896701030
Alternative weighting5896701030

49 reference units; 9 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food3811%
authors 2021111%
authors 2025111%
Blanco et al. 2023311%
Garofalo et al. 2025111%
Harding et al. 2018111%
Olmedo et al. 2013111%
Watanabe et al. 2017111%
Yamashita 2024211%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

9 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:swordfish-7e7159c86195:c8f23c6cc1bb

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 swordfish MeHg reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference5506281420
Alternative weighting5506281420

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food925%
authors 2021125%
Harding et al. 2018125%
Watanabe et al. 2017125%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-85f91de8165d:467317d97f94

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 swordfish Se reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference440665890
Alternative weighting440665890

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
authors 2021150%
authors 2025150%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-ae0707c06234:a914573d9706

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 swordfish Se(IV) reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI swordfish Se(IV) reference · Swordfish, as sold. Swordfish, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤149≤149≤149
Alternative weighting≤149≤149≤149

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
authors 20231100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

authors 2023 is the only compatible sampling family for swordfish, as sold on this basis in the completed swordfish ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-1acc5b6c2e03:be3acf02eb7d

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 swordfish SeCys reference · Swordfish, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤13≤13≤13
Alternative weighting≤13≤13≤13

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

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
authors 20231100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

authors 2023 is the only compatible sampling family for swordfish, as sold on this basis in the completed swordfish ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:swordfish-4de9c6c549ec:ad88fc1e2c50

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

1 dataset

How metals reach swordfish

No study in the library compared swordfish 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 swordfish, as sold pools 37 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of below 20 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4.35 (lower quartile) and 25 µg/kg (upper quartile).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →10Smolikova V, Ridoskova A, Pelcova P · 2016Determination of heavy metals in fish productsMendelNet 2016: Proceedings of International PhD Students Conference, pp. 651-656Read source → For cadmium in swordfish, as sold, the reference median was 35.9 µg/kg, with a middle half from 9 to 35.9 µg/kg across 31 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →11EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) · 2009Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a request from the European Commission on cadmium in foodThe EFSA JournalRead source → For total arsenic in swordfish, as sold, the reference median was 198 µg/kg, with a middle half from 96 to 1,040 µg/kg across 18 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source →

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, swordfish, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in EURO (41.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (53 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 total arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (670 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (1,100 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For total mercury, the lowest regional median was in WPRO (403 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (995 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Targeted swordfish, as sold samples in EURO had cadmium lower at 30 µg/kg, against 41.5 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → In another study, targeted swordfish, as sold samples in EURO had total arsenic higher at 2,300 µg/kg, against 854 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

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

Mitigation for swordfish

Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.

No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing swordfish for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 4.35 µg/kg (Olmedo et al. 2013) 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 →5Olmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, Gil F · 2013Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersEnvironment InternationalRead source → Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.8 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 60 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 total arsenic ranged from 4.3 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 50 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

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

Buying and verifying swordfish

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

Exposure from swordfish

No source in the library converted swordfish 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 swordfish was decided on its content: 23 occurrence extracted, 23 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.

Swordfish FAQs

What heavy metals are found in swordfish?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, mercury, chromium, tin, Cu, Se, Se(IV), Se(VI), SeCys, SeMet and tSe in swordfish, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, Sandamali JD · 2022Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)International Journal of Current Science Research and ReviewRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →4Oktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, Okabayashi T · 2023Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureVeterinary WorldRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in swordfish, as sold from 839 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians below 20 µg/kg, mostly non-detects.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Which regions report the lowest levels in swordfish?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, swordfish, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in EURO (41.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (53 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 total arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (670 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (1,100 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

How much of the arsenic in swordfish is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 5 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source → Marín et al. 2018 reported inorganic arsenic at 9.7 µg/kg (mean) in swordfish, as sold from Fish and seafood group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-2011.3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →

References

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

  1. GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
  2. Determination of Geographical and Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)Digoarachchi DASU, Walpita CN, and Sandamali JD · International Journal of Current Science Research and Review · 2022 · doi.org/10.47191/ijcsrr/V5-i7-03Peer-reviewed
  3. Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, et al. · Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670 · 2018 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.005Peer-reviewed
  4. Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposureOktariani AF, Sudaryatma PE, Ramona Y, Wirasuta IMG, Darmayasa IBG, Wiradana PA, et al. · Veterinary World · 2023 · doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.858-868Peer-reviewed
  5. Determination of toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumersOlmedo P, Pla A, Hernandez AF, Barbier F, Ayouni L, and Gil F · Environment International · 2013 · doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2013.05.005Peer-reviewed
  6. Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals from Canned Tuna and Fish in Tijuana, MexicoRodriguez-Mendivil DD, Garcia-Flores E, Temores-Pena J, and Wakida FT · Health Scope · 2019 · doi.org/10.5812/jhealthscope.78956Peer-reviewed
  7. Kandungan Logam Berat Merkuri Pada Ikan Tuna (Yellowfin dan Bigeye) dan Tuna-like (Swordfish) Hasil Tangkapan dari Samudera Hindia dan Samudera PasifikHandayani T, Maarif MS, Riani E, and Djazuli N · Jurnal Pascapanen dan Bioteknologi Kelautan dan Perikanan · 2019 · doi.org/10.15578/jpbkp.v14i1.572Peer-reviewed
  8. Species-specific mercury speciation in billfishes and itsUnknown authors · Peer-reviewed article · 2025 · doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2025.109252Peer-reviewed
  9. Risk assessment of mercury and methyl mercury intake via sardine and swordfish consumption in AlgeriaMehouel F, Bouayad L, Berber A, Van Hauteghem I, and Van de Wiele M · Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society · 2019 · doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.21792Peer-reviewed
  10. Determination of heavy metals in fish productsSmolikova V, Ridoskova A, and Pelcova P · MendelNet 2016: Proceedings of International PhD Students Conference, pp. 651-656 · 2016 · mendelnet.czConference
  11. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a request from the European Commission on cadmium in foodEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) · The EFSA Journal · 2009 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.980Government

Sources

Browse Swordfish 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 swordfish record in the library: 23 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View