Metals in 50 wheat flour samples from one mill
What it found
In 50 wheat flour samples from one industry, levels of twelve metals were measured.
The amounts of cadmium and lead taken in from this flour were very low compared with the weekly limits.
What they found
Metals measured
The flour was tested for sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, chrome, nickel, cadmium and lead.
Cadmium and lead
The contribution of cadmium and lead to the weekly limit was very low. The authors say this shows safety in this wheat flour concerning these toxic metals.
Daily intake estimates
The estimated daily intake of each metal was worked out. Their percentage contribution to recommended daily intakes for macro and micro elements was also determined.
What the authors conclude
“Contribution of Cd and Pb to the PTWI was very low, a fact that shows safety in this wheat flour concerning toxic metals.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that the contribution of cadmium and lead to the weekly limit was very low.
- They state that this "shows safety in this wheat flour concerning toxic metals".
How it was done
Wheat flour is a raw material for all bread and bakery industries, so its safety is of high nutritional and toxicological interest.
They analysed 50 samples of wheat flour from a wheat flour industry for twelve metals. They also estimated the daily intake of each metal and its percentage contribution to recommended daily intakes and to weekly limits for toxic metals.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study looked at flour from one wheat flour industry, so the results may not apply to flour from other mills.
- It measured metal levels in flour samples, not health effects in people who eat bread made from it.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of La Laguna, Spain
The paper
- Title
- Metals in wheat flour; comparative study and safety control
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Tejera RL, Luis G, González-Weller D, et al (2013). Metals in wheat flour; comparative study and safety control. Nutricion hospitalaria. doi:10.3305/nh.2013.28.2.6287PubMed 23822705DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error