Objective To evaluate the heavy metal contamination characteristics and health risks of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. from 3 major production regions (Jiao cheng Jun Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Tai gu Hu ping Ziziphus jujuba Mill., and Xiang fen Guan tan Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) in Shanxi Province. Methods Sample pretreatment was performed using a microwave digestion system, followed by quantitative analysis of Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in 180 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. samples via inductively coupled inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Experimental data were standardized using Microsoft Excel 2022, and non-parametric statistical analyses (Kruskal-Wallis H test, Spearman’s rank correlation) were conducted with SPSS 26.0 IBM to investigate elemental distribution patterns and regional correlations. Health risks were assessed using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) model with exposure parameters. Results A highly sensitive multi-element simultaneous detection method was established with a limit of detection of 0.003 to 0.010 mg/kg, with a recovery rates of 92% to 108% and a precision of 2.9% to 4.5%. Key findings included: (1) Hg was undetected in all regions, while Cr and Ni were universally detected, Pb detection rates exhibited regional differences, with the highest in Xiangfen, Cd detection rates were notably higher in the Taigu; (2) The studied elements exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity; (3) Pb, Ni and Cr in Jiao cheng Jun Ziziphus jujuba Mill. and Xiang fen Guan tan Ziziphus jujuba Mill. exhibited a highly significant positive correlation, while the correlations of the same elements between Tai gu Hu ping Ziziphus jujuba Mill. and Xiang fen Guan tan Ziziphus jujuba Mill. showed a synchronous enhancement; (4) health risk assessment identified potential non-carcinogenic risks for Cr and Pb in Xiangfen, and the daily intake of As approached but remained below the international threshold. Conclusion This study systematically map the heavy metal contamination profile of Shanxi Ziziphus jujuba Mill. for the first time and propose region-specific grading standards for pollutants, providing a scientific basis for improving the quality and safety regulatory framework of jujube products.