Heavy metals in Tea

Quick read

Tea in the HMI library has 907 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Ba, CrVI, Mg and Tl from 36 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}^{5Ogoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, Fagbohun AA, Ogoko NI, Adams AE · 2024Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583Read source →}^{6Spungen 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 →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and total mercury and others, in 907 results from 36 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}
Main drivers:
Tea, as sold from unspiked sample, MSPME-FAAS had lead higher at 5,620 µg/kg, against 5,580 µg/kg for unspiked sample, GF-AAS in the same study.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}

Tea overview

Tea in the HMI library has 907 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Ba, CrVI, Mg and Tl from 36 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}^{5Ogoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, Fagbohun AA, Ogoko NI, Adams AE · 2024Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583Read source →}^{6Spungen 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 →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in tea, dried from 6,382 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 17.7 to 950 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, tea, as sold had a median lead result below 1 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Across 8 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on a dry-weight basis ranged from 46 µg/kg (Al 2010) to 39,000 µg/kg (Muhammed et al. 2026).^{8Al Othman ZA · 2010Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeMolecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497Read source →}^{9Hamitoglu Muhammed, Sahin Mert, Esen Gulsah, Helvacioglu Sinem, Aydin Ahmet · 2026Determination of essential and toxic elements in black teas sold in TurkiyeTurkish Journal of Pharmaceutical SciencesRead source →} For cadmium, 2 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 1.05 µg/kg (S-T et al. 2024) to 32.5 µg/kg (EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009).^{10Lin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, Lee W-J · 2024Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanJSFA ReportsRead 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 →} Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. Tea, as sold from unspiked sample, GF-AAS had cadmium higher at 560 µg/kg, against 530 µg/kg for unspiked sample, MSPME-FAAS in the same study.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead source →}

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

What counts as tea

This page covers tea in 4 forms kept separate in every comparison: tea, dried (495 results), tea, as sold (394 results), tea, oil (12 results) and tea, powder or ground (6 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}^{5Ogoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, Fagbohun AA, Ogoko NI, Adams AE · 2024Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583Read source →}^{6Spungen 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 →}

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 tea

The table holds every extracted tea result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 907 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}^{5Ogoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, Fagbohun AA, Ogoko NI, Adams AE · 2024Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583Read source →}^{6Spungen 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 →} 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 →}

288 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 91 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 3 values from 3 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{5Ogoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, Fagbohun AA, Ogoko NI, Adams AE · 2024Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583Read source →}^{12Kowalska G · 2021The Safety Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Herbs, Spices, Tea, and Coffee in PolandInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthRead source →}^{13Yaqub G, Ilyas F, Idrees M, Mariyam V · 2018Monitoring and risk assessment due to presence of heavy metals and pesticides in tea samplesFood Science and TechnologyRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

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

Filter findings

AnalyteFood formCollection regionCollection periodSourceCompare withComparable findings only

817 of 817 findings · 22 analytes

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Tea 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)

83 findings · 3 studies · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2007–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2002As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2017Dry weight	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014Dry weight	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013–2014Dry weight	median.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 900 µg/kg (minimum); 13,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 2,200 µg/kg (minimum); 13,200 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 90 µg/kg (minimum); 1,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 5,100 µg/kg (minimum); 15,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
89 findings · 18 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2012As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2014As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2013–2016As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2022As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2009–2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020As sold / fresh	not detected.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2017Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2017Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2017Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2017Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldAl 2010	Beverages, Riyadh city markets, May 20092009Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldAl 2010	Beverages, Riyadh city markets, May 20092009Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldKowalska 2021	all samples2015–2018Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	all 17 tea products2018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 12018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 22018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 32018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 42018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 52018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 62018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 72018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 82018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 92018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 102018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 112018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 122018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 132018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 142018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 152018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 162018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 172018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	all 72 Tieguanyin samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Anxi county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Hua'an county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldZahra et al. 2020	unspiked sample, GF-AASCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldZahra et al. 2020	unspiked sample, MSPME-FAASCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014Basis not stated	median.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	Condiments and spices (retail, Mexico City)2022–2023Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 1.2 µg/kg (minimum); 4.1 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2022	all 91 samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

89 findings · 5 studies · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2007As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2002As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EMRO2013–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 30 µg/kg (minimum); 100 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 30 µg/kg (minimum); 100 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 30 µg/kg (minimum); 40 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 30 µg/kg (minimum); 100 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedDry weight	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C10Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C10Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C15Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C15Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C20Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C20Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
86 findings · 21 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2006As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO1999–2018As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2022As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020As sold / fresh	not detected.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C10Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C10Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C15Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C15Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C20Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWang et al. 2025	tea plants grown 24 months in C20Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldKowalska 2021	all samples2015–2018Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	all 17 tea products2018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 12018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 22018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 32018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 42018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 52018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 62018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 72018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 82018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 92018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 102018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 112018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 122018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 132018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 142018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 152018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 162018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMohammad et al. 2022	retail tea product 172018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	all 72 Tieguanyin samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Anxi county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Hua'an county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldZahra et al. 2020	unspiked sample, GF-AASCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldZahra et al. 2020	unspiked sample, MSPME-FAASCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 0.8 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
Tea, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority 2012	all samples (EU Member State submissions)2003–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2022	all 91 samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSong et al. 2017	China, 31 provinces, all samples2011–2015Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSuzuki-Inoue et al. 2024	supermarkets1979–1980Basis not stated	geometric mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
2 findings · 1 study · 3 spread figures folded in
Tea, powder or groundEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, powder or groundEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007As sold / fresh	mean.Same samples: 312 µg/kg (maximum); 0.3 µg/kg (percentile); 130 µg/kg (percentile)
Tea, powder or groundEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007As sold / fresh	max.
Tea, powder or groundEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007As sold / fresh	percentile.
Tea, powder or groundEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	all samples (EU Member States and others, 2003-2007)2003–2007As sold / fresh	percentile.

75 findings · 2 studies
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2015As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2002As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
40 findings · 8 studies
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2003As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2022As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldRoberge et al. 2009	lot 1, retail item, one Tucson supermarketCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldKowalska 2021	all samples2015–2018Dry weight	not detected.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 2 studies
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
10 findings · 4 studies
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety FEHD HKSAR 2012	all samples (4 sampling occasions, composites)2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, powder or groundEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2019–2023As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016–2017As sold / fresh	median.

5 findings · 1 study
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2002As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2014–2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001–2002As sold / fresh	median.
14 findings · 5 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2019As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011–2013As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2022As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldKowalska 2021	all samples2015–2018Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	median.
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 87 µg/kg (maximum); 21 µg/kg (percentile); 25 µg/kg (percentile); 35 µg/kg (percentile)
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	max.
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	percentile.
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	percentile.
Tea, as soldEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2012	EU occurrence data2004–2011Basis not stated	percentile.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 2,100 µg/kg (minimum); 10,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 3,700 µg/kg (minimum); 12,200 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 5,500 µg/kg (minimum); 6,600 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 3,900 µg/kg (minimum); 7,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
14 findings · 7 studies
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Black teas2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Green teas2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Oolong teas2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Red teas2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2022	all 91 samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

73 findings · 3 studies · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, LB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, driedEFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2014	all samples, EFSA FoodEx subgroup, UB2000–2013As sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 500 µg/kg (minimum); 3,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 400 µg/kg (minimum); 1,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 300 µg/kg (minimum); 1,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 1,000 µg/kg (minimum); 3,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 3), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 3), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 3), origin NepalCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15 (Table 3), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16 (Table 3), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B17 (Table 3), origin not listed in Table 1Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 3), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 3), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
13 findings · 9 studies
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	all 72 Tieguanyin samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Anxi county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2021	Hua'an county, FujianCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Black teas from Sri Lanka2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2022	all 91 samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldSalahel et al. 2025	Qena Governorate markets2022Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	national and international tea brands, local Pakistani marketCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.

65 findings · 1 study
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	all samples of tea type (group mean row)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1 (Table 2), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 2), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 2), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8 (Table 2), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 2), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 2), origin NepalCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16Collection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B1 (Table 2), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B2 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B3 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B4 (Table 2), origin TanzaniaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B5 (Table 2), origin UgandaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B6 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B7 (Table 2), origin UKCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B8 (Table 2), origin BrazilCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B9 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B10 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B11 (Table 2), origin IndiaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B12 (Table 2), origin NepalCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B13Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B14 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B15Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample B16Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G1 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G2 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G3 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G4 (Table 2), origin USACollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G5 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G6 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G7 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G8 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G9 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G10 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample G11 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O1 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O2 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O3 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
Tea, driedOliveira et al. 2018	Retail sample O4 (Table 2), origin ChinaCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
34 findings · 7 studies
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldErzsebet et al. 2019	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	range.
Tea, as soldErzsebet et al. 2019	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	range.
Tea, as soldErzsebet et al. 2019	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	range.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Black teas, all origins2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Green teas2021–2023Basis not stated	range.
Tea, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024	Red teas2021–2023Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 2 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 10 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	Infused 30 minCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldLee et al. 2019	unsteeped controlCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2021As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2005As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, driedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2002As sold / fresh	median.
16 findings · 4 studies · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2022As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998As sold / fresh	median.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	median.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	mean.Same samples: 570 µg/kg (maximum); 1,300 µg/kg (maximum); 2,020 µg/kg (maximum); 310 µg/kg (percentile); 490 µg/kg (percentile); 370 µg/kg (percentile)
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	max.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	max.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	max.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	max.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	percentile.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	percentile.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	percentile.
Tea, as soldYe et al. 2026	all samples in category2018–2019Dry weight	percentile.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

5 findings · 2 studies
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Tea, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020As sold / fresh	median.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 100 µg/kg (minimum); 500 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 100 µg/kg (minimum); 400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 100 µg/kg (minimum); 100 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 300 µg/kg (minimum); 600 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
5 findings · 3 studies
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	national and international tea brands, local Pakistani marketCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardensCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 14,100 µg/kg (minimum); 34,100 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 16,300 µg/kg (minimum); 25,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 16,500 µg/kg (minimum); 18,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 12,300 µg/kg (minimum); 15,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
12 findings · 4 studies
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldQinghua et al. 2022	all 91 samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	national and international tea brands, local Pakistani marketCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 128,000 µg/kg (minimum); 597,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 150,000 µg/kg (minimum); 562,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 153,000 µg/kg (minimum); 155,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 195,000 µg/kg (minimum); 601,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
10 findings · 3 studies
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 248,000 µg/kg (minimum); 1,600,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 309,000 µg/kg (minimum); 965,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 307,000 µg/kg (minimum); 473,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 1,060,000 µg/kg (minimum); 1,380,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
3 findings · 2 studies
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	national and international tea brands, local Pakistani marketCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

4 findings · 1 study · 8 spread figures folded in
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 28,100 µg/kg (minimum); 95,800 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, marketed teaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 11,700 µg/kg (minimum); 49,400 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original (as-purchased loose) tea from ChinaCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 38,100 µg/kg (minimum); 38,700 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from India (Darjeeling)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.Same samples: 15,200 µg/kg (minimum); 42,300 µg/kg (maximum)
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Tea, driedBrzezicha-Cirocka et al. 2016	green tea leaves, original tea from JapanCollection date unreportedDry weight	max.
11 findings · 3 studies
Tea, as soldOgoko et al. 2024	Table 1 category 'tea'Collection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	national and international tea brands, local Pakistani marketCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldYaqub et al. 2018	tea leaves from Mansehra gardens, Pakistan (source samples)Collection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

3 findings · 1 study
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	mean.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldCentre for Food Safety (Hong Kong) 2013	all samples2010–2011Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Tea, oilS-T et al. 2024	unrefinedCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Tea, as soldSong et al. 2024	all samplesCollection date unreportedAs sold / fresh	not detected.

8 findings · 1 study
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product A (code A, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product B (code B, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product C (code C, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product D (code D, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product E (code E, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product F (code F, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product G (code G, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Tea, as soldMuhammed et al. 2026	black tea bag product H (code H, Türkiye market)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1022014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Tea, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 17_1032014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.

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 tea Pb reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea Pb reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	50–135 (bounded)	300–340 (bounded)	550–580 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	50–135 (bounded)	322–340 (bounded)	490–550 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	61	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-76ec9ba33570:b2627d748bac

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 tea Pb reference · Tea, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea Pb reference · Tea, dried, dry weight. Tea, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	300	410	717
Alternative weighting	300	410	717

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	50%
Oliveira et al. 2018	31	50%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-88fe5a54f04b:279fd21adc9e

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 tea Pb reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	≤4
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	≤4

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	95	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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:tea-9bcec966900b:f623683b6415

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 tea Pb reference · Tea, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	250	450	683
Alternative weighting	225	435	683

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	9	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-9217d0b9267d:82afc35a29e8

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 tea Pb reference · Tea, as sold, basis not stated

Reference and scope

HMI tea Pb reference · Tea, as sold, basis not stated. Tea, as sold; Basis not stated by the source, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.7	≤0.7	≤0.7
Alternative weighting	≤0.7	≤0.7	≤0.7

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, as sold on a basis not stated by the source 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 tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-f3aa1aad6e28:a7c2fb239edc

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 tea Cd reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea Cd reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	0.09–22 (bounded)	26–40 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤0.8	≤19	22–43 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	39	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-140638fd80ea:8b25d5871935

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 tea Cd reference · Tea, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea Cd reference · Tea, dried, dry weight. Tea, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	20	35.9	46
Alternative weighting	20	35.9	46

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	12	50%
Oliveira et al. 2018	29	50%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-2ed59741d39d:763e34b37187

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 tea Cd reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	63	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	33%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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:tea-92c29fe86eff:00d8c6e6bfd0

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 tea Cd reference · Tea, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	30	40	57
Alternative weighting	30	40	53.5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	11	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-a3c9d24e1f4c:57ab755d7375

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 tea Cd reference · Tea, powder or ground

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	15	15	15
Alternative weighting	15	15	15

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, powder or ground 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

EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009 is the only compatible sampling family for tea, powder or ground on this basis in the completed tea 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

EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 2009

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-8fa0c37f6dd6:9715d8a02fff

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 tea tAs reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea tAs reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	0.686–38 (bounded)	40–103 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤10	≤30.5	33–95.5 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	37	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-c0bdd299580e:67d907e309f7

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 tea tAs reference · Tea, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea tAs reference · Tea, dried, dry weight. Tea, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	60	170	300
Alternative weighting	60	170	300

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Oliveira et al. 2018	32	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Oliveira et al. 2018 is the only compatible sampling family for tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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

Oliveira et al. 2018

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-a87d0c887497:0bd1adcac6b0

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 tea tAs reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	0.478–7.5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	0.367–5 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	34	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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:tea-ce3e4cd2260a:0322e6fd846e

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 tea tAs reference · Tea, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea tAs reference · Tea, as sold, dry weight. Tea, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	5–55 (bounded)	10–100 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤10	5–55 (bounded)	10–100 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	50%
Kowalska 2021	1	50%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

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

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-7095d4a38782:050fa87cd142

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 tea iAs reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea iAs reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	≤2.5	13.2–22.5 (bounded)	39.1–55 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤2.5	25	50–60 (bounded)

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-075200dfb5ea:caee3a0f5074

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 tea iAs reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI tea iAs reference · Tea, as sold. Tea, 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	≤0.078	≤3	≤3
Alternative weighting	≤0.078	≤3	≤3

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 tea, 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 tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-71872ceaf5a2:f6b94a412c67

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 tea DMA reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea DMA reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	≤20	≤20	≤20
Alternative weighting	≤20	≤20	≤20

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	5	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-6f7791ee54ce:72f21a13a7a9

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 tea tHg reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

HMI tea tHg reference · Tea, dried. Tea, dried; 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	≤5	10–12 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤5	10–12 (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 tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-45d5d96356b2:22bd7ed98a7e

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 tea tHg reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	2.1–3.75 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	1.55–3.75 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	23	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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:tea-390714ee15db:8d85907a2d6f

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 tea Ni reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI tea Ni reference · Tea, as sold. Tea, 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	47	102	131
Alternative weighting	47	102	131

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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:tea-7eec2eba6472:2700c70ea468

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 tea Cr reference · Tea, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea Cr reference · Tea, dried, dry weight. Tea, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	940	1680	4530
Alternative weighting	940	1680	4530

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Oliveira et al. 2018	32	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Oliveira et al. 2018 is the only compatible sampling family for tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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

Oliveira et al. 2018

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-b7cd55fc9ec5:f38128620c02

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 tea Cr reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤25	≤25	≤25
Alternative weighting	≤25	≤25	≤25

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 tea, 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

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-d38b285b0872:ee71f6cafb21

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 tea Al reference · Tea, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI tea Al reference · Tea, dried, dry weight. Tea, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	426000	1410000	1960000
Alternative weighting	426000	1410000	1960000

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Oliveira et al. 2018	31	100%

Methods

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

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

Limitations

Oliveira et al. 2018 is the only compatible sampling family for tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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

Oliveira et al. 2018

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-0c1e513c19f2:9f0377e7d71a

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 tea Al reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	1040	2130	2890
Alternative weighting	1040	2130	2890

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 tea, 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 tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-a2930443a7aa:2896ae0f6ded

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 tea Al reference · Tea, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	521000	521000	521000
Alternative weighting	521000	521000	521000

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

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

Methods

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

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

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-07a5534ab48b:d55cc42c599e

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 tea Sn reference · Tea, dried

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤15	20	200
Alternative weighting	≤15	20	200

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 tea, dried 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 tea, dried on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-cf9bd7d4724e:09cb73452834

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 tea Sn reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1.5	≤7.09	≤10
Alternative weighting	≤1.5	≤7.09	≤10

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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 tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-bc12d71b074e:9d2dc70d9cf0

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 tea U reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	≤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 tea, 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

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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:tea-3aeb00e672ed:673b614af32a

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 tea CrVI reference · Tea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI tea CrVI reference · Tea, as sold. Tea, 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	≤0.1	≤0.1	≤0.1
Alternative weighting	≤0.1	≤0.1	≤0.1

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Song et al. 2024	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for tea, 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

Song et al. 2024 is the only compatible sampling family for tea, as sold on this basis in the completed tea 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

Song et al. 2024

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:tea-43f38cb46713:03d14e3d1aa1

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 tea

The evidence on how metals reach tea comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. Tea, as sold from unspiked sample, GF-AAS had cadmium higher at 560 µg/kg, against 530 µg/kg for unspiked sample, MSPME-FAAS in the same study.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead source →}

These are observational comparisons from single studies; the size of the difference depends on the site, metal and distance.

Which forms and regions measured lower

For lead, the HMI reference median was lowest for tea, dried (410 µg/kg) and highest for tea, as sold (450 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →} The HMI reference for lead in tea, as sold pools 99 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of below 1 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 1 (lower quartile) and below 4 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{6Spungen 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 tea, dried, the reference median was 410 µg/kg, with a middle half from 300 to 717 µg/kg across 37 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →} For lead in tea, dried, the reference median was between 300 and 340 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 50 and 135 to between 550 and 580 µg/kg across 61 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, tea, dried had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (17.7 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (950 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in EURO (20 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (40 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 (103 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (130 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted tea, dried samples in WPRO had lead higher at 940 µg/kg, against 390 µg/kg for WPRO 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 tea, dried samples in EURO had cadmium higher at 63 µg/kg, against 40 µg/kg for EURO in the same study.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

In one study, lead across 31 groups of tea ranged from 250 µg/kg (Retail sample B14 (Table 3), origin USA) to 1,900 µg/kg (Retail sample B11 (Table 3), origin UK); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →} In another study, lead across 17 groups of tea ranged from 187 µg/kg (retail tea product 5) to 2,150 µg/kg (retail tea product 9); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.^{14Abraheem Ezuldeen Mohammad, Etorki Abdunnaser Mohamed, Elgornazi Aborawi M., Atrabelse Sabreen · 2022Determination of Lead and Cadmium Concentration in Different Samples of Tea and Coffee Circulating in the Libyan MarketInternational Journal of Science and ResearchRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed tea in the same study and group. Tea, dried (EURO) had lead equal to at 200 µg/kg, against 200 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (tea, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In another study, tea, dried (GEMS/Food contaminants database) had cadmium lower at 37.4 µg/kg, against 68.1 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (tea, as sold).^{15Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} A third study found that tea, powder or ground (European dietary-survey occurrence data) had inorganic arsenic equal to at 0.1 µg/kg, against 0.1 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (tea, as sold).^{16European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

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

Mitigation for tea

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

Avoiding exposed growing areas lowered the metal measured in the studies available, but no study measured the cost or supply effect of doing so.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead source →} 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 tea for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.7 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 8,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.03 µg/kg (Dabeka et al. 1995) to 1,200 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{17Dabeka RW, McKenzie AD · 1995Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Journal of AOAC InternationalRead source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 3,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

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

Buying and verifying tea

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

Exposure from tea

No source in the library converted tea 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 tea was decided on its content: 36 occurrence extracted, 36 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.

Tea FAQs

What heavy metals are found in tea?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Ba, CrVI, Mg and Tl in tea, 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 →}^{3Brzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, Szefer P · 2016Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in tea, dried from 6,382 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 17.7 to 950 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How do heavy metals get into tea?

In the studies available, tea from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than tea from the same study’s control.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead source →} Tea, as sold from unspiked sample, MSPME-FAAS had lead higher at 5,620 µg/kg, against 5,580 µg/kg for unspiked sample, GF-AAS in the same study.^{7Dehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · 2020Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ResearchRead source →}

Which types of tea have the lowest levels?

For lead, the HMI reference median was lowest for tea, dried (410 µg/kg) and highest for tea, as sold (450 µg/kg); forms differ in water content, so this compares foods as sold or eaten, not uptake.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{4Letuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, Lena Q. Ma · 2018Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in tea?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, tea, dried had the lowest lead subgroup median in PAHO (17.7 µg/kg) and the highest in WPRO (950 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in EURO (20 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (40 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 tea?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same tea.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Tea, dried (EURO) had lead equal to at 200 µg/kg, against 200 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (tea, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in tea is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 15 results from 4 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{16European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}^{18Baxter M, Brereton N · 2015Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodFood and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081Read source →}^{19Centre 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 →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 7.9 µg/kg (mean) in tea, dried from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{16European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →}

References

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

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Monitoring of essential and heavy metals in green tea from different geographical originsBrzezicha-Cirocka J, Grembecka M, and Szefer P · Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · 2016 · doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5157-yPeer-reviewed
Metal concentrations in traditional and herbal teas and their potential risks to human healthLetuzia M. de Oliveira, Suchismita Das, Evandro B. da Silva, Peng Gao, Julia Gress, Yungen Liu, et al. · Science of the Total Environment · 2018 · doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.215Peer-reviewed
Hazard and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Consumed in Abia State, NigeriaOgoko EC, Aletan UI, Osu CI, Kelle HI, Iroegbulem I, Emeziem D, et al. · J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 28(9): 2575-2583 · 2024 · doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i9.1Peer-reviewed
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Magnetic Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Polythiophene as a Sorbent for Simultaneous Solid Phase Microextraction of Lead and Cadmium from Water and Food SamplesDehghani Zahra, Dadfarnia Shayessteh, Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad, and Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan · Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Research · 2020 · doi.org/10.22036/abcr.2020.221731.1465Peer-reviewed
Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeAl Othman ZA · Molecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497 · 2010 · doi.org/10.3390/molecules15107482Peer-reviewed
Determination of essential and toxic elements in black teas sold in TurkiyeHamitoglu Muhammed, Sahin Mert, Esen Gulsah, Helvacioglu Sinem, and Aydin Ahmet · Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2026 · doi.org/10.4274/tjps.galenos.2026.86132Peer-reviewed
Determination, distribution, and health risk assessment of 12 heavy metals in various edible oils in TaiwanLin S-T, Liao K-W, Xuan T-C, Chiou T-Y, Lin Z-E, and Lee W-J · JSFA Reports · 2024 · doi.org/10.1002/jsf2.186Peer-reviewed
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
The Safety Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Herbs, Spices, Tea, and Coffee in PolandKowalska G · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2021 · doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115779Peer-reviewed
Monitoring and risk assessment due to presence of heavy metals and pesticides in tea samplesYaqub G, Ilyas F, Idrees M, and Mariyam V · Food Science and Technology · 2018 · doi.org/10.1590/fst.07417Peer-reviewed
Determination of Lead and Cadmium Concentration in Different Samples of Tea and Coffee Circulating in the Libyan MarketAbraheem Ezuldeen Mohammad, Etorki Abdunnaser Mohamed, Elgornazi Aborawi M., and Atrabelse Sabreen · International Journal of Science and Research · 2022 · doi.org/10.21275/sr211222165040Peer-reviewed
Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government
Survey of Lead, Cadmium, Fluoride, Nickel, and Cobalt in Food Composites and Estimation of Dietary Intakes of These Elements by Canadians in 1986-1988Dabeka RW and McKenzie AD · Journal of AOAC International · 1995 · academic.oup.comPeer-reviewed
Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodBaxter M and Brereton N · Food and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081 · 2015 · www.food.gov.ukGovernment
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

Sources

Browse Tea 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 tea record in the library: 36 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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Heavy metals in Tea

Tea overview

What counts as tea

Heavy metal contamination profile of tea

How metals reach tea

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for tea

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing tea for metals

Buying and verifying tea

Exposure from tea

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Tea FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Referenced by 65

Graph View

Heavy metals in Tea

Tea overview

What counts as tea

Heavy metal contamination profile of tea

How metals reach tea

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for tea

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing tea for metals

Buying and verifying tea

Exposure from tea

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Tea FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by 65

Graph View