Heavy metals in White bread

Quick read

White bread in the HMI library has 125 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co and Cu from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}^{5Al Othman ZA · 2010Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeMolecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497Read source →}^{6Cantoral 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 →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury and nickel and others, in 125 results from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the white bread 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 →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}
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 →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}

White bread overview

White bread in the HMI library has 125 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co and Cu from 10 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}^{5Al Othman ZA · 2010Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeMolecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497Read source →}^{6Cantoral 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 white bread, as sold from 1,127 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.5 to 60 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, white bread, as sold 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 →}

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 2.5 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 25.3 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018).^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} For cadmium, 2 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 16.4 µg/kg (Marín et al. 2018) to 27 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024).^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

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

What counts as white bread

This page covers white bread in 2 forms kept separate in every comparison: white bread, as sold (118 results) and white bread, cooked (7 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 →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}^{5Al Othman ZA · 2010Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeMolecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497Read source →}^{6Cantoral 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 →}

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 white bread

The table holds every extracted white bread result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 125 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 →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 →}^{5Al Othman ZA · 2010Lead Contamination in Selected Foods from Riyadh City Market and Estimation of the Daily IntakeMolecules 2010, 15, 7482-7497Read source →}^{6Cantoral 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 →} 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 →}

38 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 7 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

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

White bread 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)

23 findings · 7 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2015	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2018	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2019	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2016	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 13.3 µg/kg (minimum); 36.2 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.
White bread, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
White bread, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
White bread, as soldAl 2010	Cereal and cereal products, Riyadh city markets, May 20092009Dry weight	mean.
White bread, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	Cereals (retail, Mexico City)2022–2023Basis not stated	not detected.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 7.1 µg/kg (minimum); 24.4 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
2 findings · 1 study
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2014	median.
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.

23 findings · 6 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2015	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2019	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2018	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2006	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015–2016	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO1999–2018	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2000–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 14.3 µg/kg (minimum); 18.6 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.
White bread, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
White bread, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
White bread, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	all samples (single foodstuff, duplicate mean)2022–2023Basis not stated	sample value.
White bread, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	all samples (single foodstuff, duplicate mean)2022–2023Basis not stated	sample value.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	median.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	mean.Same samples: 17.2 µg/kg (minimum); 36 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	min.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	5 city composites1986–1988Basis not stated	max.
3 findings · 1 study
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2006	median.
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2017	median.
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.

14 findings · 4 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2015	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2015	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002–2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 12.6 µg/kg (minimum); 19.8 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.
White bread, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (LB)2013–2018Basis not stated	mean.
White bread, as soldEFSA 2021	EU occurrence data (UB)2013–2018Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.

7 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2009	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 2.4 µg/kg (minimum); 10.2 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.

12 findings · 3 studies
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2013	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2020	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2001	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2014	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 2003	Ottawa composite (retail Oct-Nov 2000)1998–2000	not detected.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 2003	Whitehorse composite (retail Jan-Feb 1998)1998–2000	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
White bread, cookedWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2008	median.

4 findings · 3 studies
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.

4 findings · 3 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 63.7 µg/kg (minimum); 135 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.

2 findings · 1 study
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.

7 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2008	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
White bread, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2000	median.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 10 µg/kg (minimum); 1,720 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.

2 findings · 1 study
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
White bread, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
White bread, as soldDabeka et al. 1995	Montreal composite1986–1988Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	mean.Same samples: 1,220 µg/kg (minimum); 1,450 µg/kg (maximum)
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	min.
White bread, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Cereals2010–2011	max.

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 white bread Pb reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤4	≤5.3	4.5–17 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤5	4.2–10 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	56	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	54	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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:white-bread-52387fd86854:4a6bdfd5ef2f

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 white bread Pb reference · White bread, cooked

Reference and scope

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

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	2.13	2.95	5
Alternative weighting	2.13	2.95	5

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

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

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for white bread, cooked on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-fbfa4bd8645a:9f5f632a1bdd

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 white bread Cd reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Cd reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	17.5–18 (bounded)	21–22 (bounded)	26
Alternative weighting	17–18 (bounded)	21–22 (bounded)	26

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	65	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	54	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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:white-bread-d41e564a35b8:06627901ef53

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 white bread Cd reference · White bread, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Cd reference · White bread, cooked. White bread, 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	14.5	22	27.2
Alternative weighting	14.5	22	27.2

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	7	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for white bread, cooked on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-337803853567:2b55751d263c

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 white bread tAs reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread tAs reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	2.98–5.1 (bounded)	5.45–6.85 (bounded)	7.5–17.6 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤4.9	4.8–6.7 (bounded)	6.9–16.6 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	27	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	54	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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:white-bread-1007302e4a81:c9b30ec82f9f

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 white bread iAs reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread iAs reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	≤0.03	≤3.5	3.5
Alternative weighting	≤0.03	≤3.5	3.5–10 (bounded)

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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-82e67069c4c1:bb6b66268257

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 white bread tHg reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread tHg reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	≤0.19	≤1	≤1
Alternative weighting	≤0.185	≤1	≤1

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	29	33%
FDA Total Diet Study	54	33%
Dabeka et al. 2003	2	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for white bread, 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:white-bread-5d936756ed29:f4cd9b98852f

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 white bread Ni reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Ni reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	62	74.5	88
Alternative weighting	62	74	88

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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-cf525fce2f1f:82c0b680acba

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 white bread Cr reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Cr reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	≤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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-66d5c627a4d7:ecf26ef27884

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 white bread Al reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Al reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	1800	2080	2350
Alternative weighting	1800	2080	2350

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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-46d8870ad783:f546bfde2e85

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 white bread Sn reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread Sn reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	6–11 (bounded)	7.14–11.8 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤8.57	6.57–11.4 (bounded)	9.47–35.9 (bounded)

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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-00ed77b1b347:193f10d8c2ea

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 white bread U reference · White bread, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI white bread U reference · White bread, as sold. White bread, 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	1.4	2.1	5.2
Alternative weighting	1.4	2.1	5.2

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 white bread, 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 white bread, as sold on this basis in the completed white bread 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:white-bread-a2da5aea011d:2c2f21192d22

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 white bread

No study in the library compared white bread 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 white bread, as sold pools 110 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of below 5.3 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 4 (lower quartile) and between 4.5 and 17 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 →} For lead in white bread, cooked, the reference median was 2.95 µg/kg, with a middle half from 2.13 to 5 µg/kg across 4 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium in white bread, as sold, the reference median was between 21 and 22 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 17.5 and 18 to 26 µg/kg across 119 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, white bread, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (5.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (60 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 WPRO (13 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (20.3 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 (21.4 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (25.1 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Targeted white bread, as sold samples in WPRO had lead lower at 6.5 µg/kg, against 7.5 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 white bread, as sold samples in WPRO had cadmium lower at 7.57 µg/kg, against 13 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 →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

Processed or prepared forms were compared only with unprocessed white bread in the same study and group. White bread, cooked (WPRO) had lead higher at 8.54 µg/kg, against 6.5 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (white bread, as sold).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

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

Mitigation for white bread

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 white bread for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead 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 →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 63.2 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 3 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 4,320 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 white bread

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

Exposure from white bread

No source in the library converted white bread 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 white bread was decided on its content: 10 occurrence extracted, 10 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

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

White bread FAQs

What heavy metals are found in white bread?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, uranium, Co and Cu in white bread, 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 →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{4Spungen 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 white bread, as sold from 1,127 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.5 to 60 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in white bread?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, white bread, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (5.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (60 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 WPRO (13 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (20.3 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 white bread?

Only comparisons between forms in the same study are available, not before-and-after measurements of the same white bread.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} White bread, cooked (WPRO) had lead higher at 8.54 µg/kg, against 6.5 µg/kg for the unprocessed form in the same group (white bread, 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 white bread is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 9 results from 2 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} Marín et al. 2018 reported inorganic arsenic at 6.7 µg/kg (mean) in white bread, as sold from Cereals.^{3Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}

References

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

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
Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, et al. · Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670 · 2018 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.005Peer-reviewed
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
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
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

Sources

Browse White bread 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 white bread record in the library: 10 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View

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2

Food and Drug Administration

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4

Food Additives

5

6

Heavy metals in White bread

White bread overview

What counts as white bread

Heavy metal contamination profile of white bread

How metals reach white bread

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for white bread

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing white bread for metals

Buying and verifying white bread

Exposure from white bread

Evidence review and remaining gaps

White bread FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View