Heavy Metals
Hearing more about heavy metals and want to get up to speed? Explore the IFIC Heavy Metals Toolkit, where you’ll find insights, continuing education and evidence-based resources to help improve understanding about heavy metals in food, their potential health impact and the steps being taken to monitor and reduce their presence in the food supply.
Quick Links
Key Messages
Heavy metals are a rising concern in today’s food landscape. These key messages are designed to support clear, confident conversations about the questions most often raised by consumers.
- What are heavy metals? Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements found in the earth’s crust. Some – like iron and zinc – are essential to human health.[1] Others, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, can be harmful when consumed at elevated levels over time.[2]
- What are heavy metals in food? Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury can enter the food supply through soil, water or air and may be present at trace levels. Their concentration depends on environmental factors and how much is absorbed by plants or animals during growth.[2]
- Is it safe to consume heavy metals in food? While it’s not possible to avoid them completely, eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods from each food group, washing produce, using food-grade cookware (like stainless steel or cast iron) and regularly testing water can help reduce risk of exposure.[2]
- Who monitors the food supply for heavy metals? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the lead federal regulatory agency for protecting the public from overexposure to heavy metals in food.[3] Emerging technologies are allowing scientists to test for metals with better and better sensitivity.[4]
Key Terms
What are heavy metals in food? These quick explainers cover where they’re found, what the science says, and how to make informed, safer food choices every day.
Research
IFIC research shows that consumers are concerned about the presence of heavy metals in food. Take a deeper dive into the research for more on public perceptions and how these concerns shape food decisions.
IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Food Ingredient Safety
Learn More2024 IFIC Food & Health Survey
Learn MoreInsights
From consumer concerns to federal action plans, find science-based information to support communications about heavy metals in food.
Webinars
From research to real-world application, our CPE-eligible webinars break down the complexities of heavy metals in food to help health professionals communicate with clarity and care.
In the News
Curious how the media is covering heavy metals in food? See recent headlines and get the facts behind them with IFIC expert commentary.