Halal Research Center of Islamic Republic of Iran. Tel.: +98-21-88909033 Fax: +98-21-88890858 Email: jhhhm@halal.ac.ir IR.MCIG No. 85915 Human, Health and Halal Metrics 2717-1027 7 1 2026 06 01 Determination of lead and cadmium contamination and concentration of zinc and copper in commercial honey samples by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry 253000 10.30502/jhhhm.2026.550241.1107 EN Naficeh Sadeghi Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Halal Research Center of IRI., Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-1613-1617 Melika Jahangiri Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Masoomeh Behzad Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-1613-1617 Mannan Hajimahmoodi Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0003-0006-6125 Journal Article 2025 09 30 <strong>Background and Objective:</strong> Heavy metal contamination in honey is a critical food safety concern due to its adverse effects on human health and its utility as an indicator of environmental quality. This study evaluated the concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in honey samples, comparing them against the permissible limits established by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO).<br><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> A total of 60 honey samples, comprising 41 natural and 19 organic varieties, were obtained from the Iranian market. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were determined via polarographic analysis using a 746 VA Trace Analyzer, utilizing differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) with a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Procedural blanks were processed concurrently to monitor for potential contamination, and matrix spikes were analyzed to evaluate method recovery. The resulting recoveries ranged from 96.89% to 105.10%. Notably, no certified reference material (CRM) was utilized during the analysis.<br><strong>Results and Conclusion:</strong> The mean concentrations (±SD) of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd across all samples were 3.61 ±1.43, 0.296 ±0.25, 0.14 ±0.19, and 0.103 ±0.09 mg/kg, respectively. Levels of Zn and Cu were significantly below the WHO/FAO permissible limit of 5 mg/kg (P<0.001). Conversely, mean concentrations of Pb and Cd slightly exceeded the recommended threshold of 0.1 mg/kg; however, these deviations were not statistically significant (P = 0.09 and P = 0.81, respectively). Comparative analysis revealed no significant differences between natural and organic honey for any of the evaluated metals (P>0.05). Consequently, while Zn and Cu levels remain well within acceptable baselines, the elevated levels of Pb and Cd warrant continuous monitoring to safeguard consumer health and ensure product quality.