انجمن علوم و صنایع غذایی ایران مجله علوم و صنایع غذایی ایران 2008-8787 23 174-ویژه نامه 2026 07 23 Evaluation the level of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb in instant coffee available in Iraqi market Evaluation the level of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb in instant coffee available in Iraqi market 254 261 28962 10.48311/fsct.2026.120622.83148 FA Enas Jabbar Hasan Science Department, basic education College, University of Al-Mustansiriya, Iraq Samer Muhi Taha Department of Fields Crops, College of Agriculture, Al- Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq. Journal Article 2026 05 20 Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It contains many micronutrients, such as zinc, manganese, copper, and iron, but may also contain toxic metals like cadmium and lead, which have harmful effects as a result of their accumulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of some trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb) in instant coffee available in Iraqi markets and to assess the potential health risks associated with their consumption. This study included sixteen commercial brands of instant coffee samples (one sample per brand, with three replicates per sample) collected from Iraqi markets between July and October 2025. Element levels were estimated using a Shimadzu AA-646 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) . All samples were prepared in triplicate and results are reported as mean ± standard deviation. The levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb ranged between (1.00–1.9) μg/g, (7.81–10.3) μg/g, (37.8–44.6) μg/g, and (0.008–0.018) μg/g, respectively. All concentrations of these elements, except iron, were within the permissible limits established by Iraqi Standard Specifications (No. 1447, 1999) and international guidelines (WHO/FAO). The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and cancer risk (CR) for Pb indicated no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks for consumers at typical consumption levels. However, the elevated iron levels in all samples warrant further investigation. Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It contains many micronutrients, such as zinc, manganese, copper, and iron, but may also contain toxic metals like cadmium and lead, which have harmful effects as a result of their accumulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of some trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb) in instant coffee available in Iraqi markets and to assess the potential health risks associated with their consumption. This study included sixteen commercial brands of instant coffee samples (one sample per brand, with three replicates per sample) collected from Iraqi markets between July and October 2025. Element levels were estimated using a Shimadzu AA-646 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) . All samples were prepared in triplicate and results are reported as mean ± standard deviation. The levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb ranged between (1.00–1.9) μg/g, (7.81–10.3) μg/g, (37.8–44.6) μg/g, and (0.008–0.018) μg/g, respectively. All concentrations of these elements, except iron, were within the permissible limits established by Iraqi Standard Specifications (No. 1447, 1999) and international guidelines (WHO/FAO). The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and cancer risk (CR) for Pb indicated no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks for consumers at typical consumption levels. However, the elevated iron levels in all samples warrant further investigation. https://fsct.modares.ac.ir/article_28962_5103ae07e6b7cd584364696695b075de.pdf