Investigation of heavy metal levels of some honey samples produced in Ordu.

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were measured using the ICP-MS method in 24 honey samples collected in 2023 from eight different districts of Ordu Province (Ulubey, Gölköy, Gürgentepe, Perşembe, Kabataş, Ünye, Gülyalı, and Çatalpınar). Additionally, basic physical and chemical properties of the honey samples including moisture content, pH, free acidity, ash content, electrical conductivity, and color were also determined. The physical and chemical characteristics of the honey samples were generally found to be in compliance with established standards. The concentration ranges observed were as follows: Cr (359.0–1052.1 ppb), Mn (65.5–7739.6 ppb), Fe (0.0 83473.9 ppb), Ni (163.6–16949.5 ppb), Cu (87.5–4183 ppb), Zn (0.0–20481.5 ppb), As (0.0–29.4 ppb), Cd (0.0–2.6 ppb), and Pb (17.6–427.8 ppb). Selenium (Se) was not detected in any of the samples. The results indicate that honey, as a natural food product, may be contaminated with environmental pollutants. In addition, the quality parameters of honey were evaluated in relation to regional flora and environmental conditions. When compared to the maximum allowable heavy metal limits set by national and international standards for certain foodstuffs, the heavy metal content of the collected honey samples was generally within acceptable limits, although not completely free of heavy metals.