Heavy metals in Turkey

Quick read

Turkey in the HMI library has 78 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As_nonextractable, AsIII, AsV and CrIII from 9 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Joint 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 →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 78 results from 9 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the turkey was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}

Turkey overview

Turkey in the HMI library has 78 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As_nonextractable, AsIII, AsV and CrIII from 9 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in turkey, as sold from 2,165 results in 3 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 2.75 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, turkey, cooked had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 27 composites from 2017–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Cantoral et al. 2024 reported lead at 26 µg/kg (mean ± 10 SD) in turkey, as sold from Meats, sausages, and eggs (retail, Mexico City).^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →} Raeeszadeh et al. 2021 reported cadmium at 290 µg/kg (mean ± 130 SD) and total arsenic at 880 µg/kg (mean ± 210 SD) in turkey, as sold from Sanandaj distribution centers.^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}

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

What counts as turkey

This page covers turkey in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: turkey, as sold (60 results), turkey, cooked (9 results) and turkey, powder or ground (9 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Joint 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 →} Foods made from turkey that have their own pages, such as turkey luncheon meat, are covered there.

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 turkey

The table holds every extracted turkey result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 78 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{6Joint 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 →} 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 →}

0 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 3 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 2 values from 1 source failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of turkey, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Turkey 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)

14 findings · 3 studies
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.
Turkey, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	Meats, sausages, and eggs (retail, Mexico City)2022–2023Basis not stated	mean.
Turkey, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	Meats, sausages, and eggs (retail, Mexico City)2022–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Turkey, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	not detected.
2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Turkey, powder or groundSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	not detected.

14 findings · 3 studies
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2004	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2006	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2018	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2018	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015–2016	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.
Turkey, as soldJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 2022	GEMS/Food contaminants database2011Basis not stated	mean.
2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Turkey, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	not detected.
2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Turkey, powder or groundSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.

9 findings · 3 studies
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014–2015	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001–2023	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2015	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002–2003	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2009	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016–2022	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.
Turkey, as soldAlvarez et al. 2026	retail brand DCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2005	median.
Turkey, as soldEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014	European dietary-survey occurrence data2003–2013Basis not stated	mean.

5 findings · 1 study
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2020	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008	median.
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

2 findings · 2 studies
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.
Turkey, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

2 findings · 1 study
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2008	median.

2 findings · 1 study
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Turkey, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, powder or groundFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldRaeeszadeh et al. 2021	Sanandaj distribution centers2020Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldAlvarez et al. 2026	retail brand DCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldAlvarez et al. 2026	retail brand DCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldAlvarez et al. 2026	retail brand DCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Turkey, as soldSaraiva et al. 2021	all samplesCollection date unreportedBasis not stated	mean.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

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

HMI turkey Pb reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤5.38	≤7	≤20
Alternative weighting	≤5.8	≤7	≤20

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	49	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-f6d62d014285:e7382704edc1

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 turkey Pb reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	50%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	50%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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:turkey-57cc3581411c:f46cfda76a2b

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 turkey Pb reference · Turkey, powder or ground

Reference and scope

HMI turkey Pb reference · Turkey, powder or ground. Turkey, 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	≤4	≤4	≤4
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤4	≤4

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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

Spungen et al. 2024 is the only compatible sampling family for turkey, powder or ground on this basis in the completed turkey 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

Spungen et al. 2024

Reference version and interpretation

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

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:turkey-8cff39cfc19a:4110f3a0596e

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 turkey Cd reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤2	≤4	≤8.5
Alternative weighting	≤2	≤2	≤5

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	44	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-4b49508543f4:162b2e0515a4

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 turkey Cd reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	50%
Spungen et al. 2024	1	50%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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:turkey-09fc50ea0b6c:92c5c4165662

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 turkey tAs reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤4.89	≤8.73	3.5–16.2 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4.62	≤8.73	1.96–17.6 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	40	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-a4b10ab86a61:606d559b1bf1

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 turkey tAs reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤3	≤3	4.2
Alternative weighting	≤3	≤3	4.3

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	100%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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 turkey, cooked on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-4d5be40360f7:4d46317a5c63

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 turkey iAs reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	23.1–28.1 (bounded)	46.3
Alternative weighting	≤10	23.1–28.1 (bounded)	46.3

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-d9912cb1338b:7181e1d1099d

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 turkey tHg reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI turkey tHg reference · Turkey, as sold. Turkey, 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	≤3

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	19	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-630e4888c00b:d394e32a9674

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 turkey tHg reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	100%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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 turkey, cooked on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-916dc02208ca:230afcb5b81a

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 turkey Ni reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

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

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 turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-b2ebe3d801bb:18049111203b

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 turkey Ni reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI turkey Ni reference · Turkey, cooked. Turkey, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤40	≤40	≤40
Alternative weighting	≤40	≤40	≤40

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	100%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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 turkey, cooked on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-4c6fa0c4bffa:ae26a252cc0a

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 turkey Cr reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	100%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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 turkey, cooked on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-2cd97ceb5583:b85474941092

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 turkey Al reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI turkey Al reference · Turkey, as sold. Turkey, 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	≤236	164–282 (bounded)	3880
Alternative weighting	≤236	164–282 (bounded)	3880

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 turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-f7aad3634a19:2924d14045a7

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 turkey Sn reference · Turkey, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	6.25	7.89	9.29
Alternative weighting	6.25	7.89	9.29

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 turkey, 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 turkey, as sold on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-65cf19f5cd68:ec8d335413ba

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 turkey U reference · Turkey, cooked

Reference and scope

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

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

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	54	100%

Methods

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

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 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 turkey, cooked on this basis in the completed turkey 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:turkey-97be6803cc22:8f4f508e7895

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 turkey

No study in the library compared turkey from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in turkey, cooked pools 55 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of below 4 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and below 4 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} For lead in turkey, as sold, the reference median was below 7 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 5.38 to below 20 µg/kg across 49 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in turkey, cooked, the reference median was below 1 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 1 to below 1 µg/kg across 55 units.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{5Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

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

Mitigation for turkey

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

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

Trade-offs and limits of controls

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

Testing turkey for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 2 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 →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.4 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 1,000 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 total arsenic ranged from 3 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 100 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

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

Buying and verifying turkey

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

Exposure from turkey

No source in the library converted turkey 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 turkey was decided on its content: 9 occurrence extracted, 9 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.

Turkey FAQs

What heavy metals are found in turkey?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As_nonextractable, AsIII, AsV and CrIII in turkey, 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 →}^{3Raeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, Akbari A · 2021Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranResearch SquareRead source →}^{4Cantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, Díaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Téllez-Rojo MM · 2024Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortToxicsRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in turkey, as sold from 2,165 results in 3 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 2.75 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in turkey is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 2 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{7European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · 2014Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597Read source →} European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2014 reported inorganic arsenic at 7.5 µg/kg (mean) in turkey, as sold from European dietary-survey occurrence data.^{7European 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
Determination of some heavy metals concentration in species animal meat (sheep, beef, turkey, and ostrich) and carcinogenic health risk assessment in Kurdistan province, western IranRaeeszadeh M, Gravandi H, and Akbari A · Research Square · 2021 · doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-407310/v1Preprint
Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring EffortCantoral A, Betanzos-Robledo L, Collado-López S, García-Martínez BA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mariscal-Moreno RM, et al. · Toxics · 2024 · doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050318Peer-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
Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European populationEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3597 · 2014 · doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3597Government

Sources

Browse Turkey 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 turkey record in the library: 9 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

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Food and Drug Administration

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Food Additives

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Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

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European Food Safety Authority

Heavy metals in Turkey

Turkey overview

What counts as turkey

Heavy metal contamination profile of turkey

How metals reach turkey

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Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for turkey

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Testing turkey for metals

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Sources

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