Coffee tested on CNN found to be almost devoid of contaminants, with just minor traces detectable.
The US Food and Drug Administration has advised manufacturers to reduce the levels of acrylamide in the food supply, but a recent investigation by the Clean Label Project has revealed that coffee contains minimal levels of contaminants and toxins, including glyphosate and its byproduct AMPA.
The nonprofit organization tested 45 popular coffee brands from various countries, conducting over 7,000 tests. The results showed low levels of glyphosate and AMPA in coffee, with AMPA levels higher but still minimal. Glyphosate itself was below the EU safety limit of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for green coffee, and for roasted coffee, no EU limit is established but levels were minimal.
Phthalates, chemicals used in plastics and linked to reproductive problems, cancer, asthma, and childhood obesity, were also found especially in canned and pod coffee. Despite their presence, phthalate levels were well below EU migration limits from packaging materials and thus considered low risk.
Health experts emphasize that moderate coffee consumption - about three cups daily - remains beneficial and that the detected contaminants do not outweigh coffeeโs positive health effects, such as reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease.
It's worth noting that the highest levels of phthalates were found in coffee sold in cans, followed by pods and finally bags. Medium roasted coffee beans have the highest levels of acrylamide because they are roasted at higher temperatures long enough to darken the beans. On the other hand, dark roasted coffee beans have lower levels of acrylamide because they are roasted at lower temperatures for a longer period of time, while light roasted coffee beans also have lower levels of acrylamide because they are roasted minimally.
The Clean Label Project measures levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers in food and consumer products, and checks to see whether the tested products' labels list those contaminants. When choosing coffee, consumers should consider darker or lighter roasts in bags or pods and the growing location, which can impact the levels of heavy metals.
The National Coffee Association, which represents the US coffee industry, has stated that decades of independent scientific evidence show that coffee drinkers live longer, healthier lives. So, while it's important to be aware of the low levels of contaminants found in coffee, it's also essential to remember the numerous health benefits associated with moderate coffee consumption.
[1] Clean Label Project. (2021). Coffee Clean Label Report. Retrieved from https://www.cleanlabelproject.org/reports/coffee/ [2] European Food Safety Authority. (2015). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of the safe levels of contaminants in food for glyphosate. Retrieved from https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4147 [3] European Chemicals Agency. (2020). Phthalates - Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Retrieved from https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/regulation/1907/2006 [4] European Commission. (2021). Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/chemicals/contaminants/maximum-levels_en
- The US Food and Drug Administration is urging manufacturers to lower the levels of acrylamide in food, but a study by the Clean Label Project found minimal levels of contaminants and toxins like glyphosate and AMPA in coffee.
- The health-and-wellness benefits of coffee, such as reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease, outweigh the minimal presence of these contaminants.
- The Clean Label Project tests various food and consumer products, including coffee, for heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers, among other substances.
- In its investigation, the Clean Label Project found that phthalates were present in canned and pod coffee, but at levels well below the EU migration limits from packaging materials.
- Darker or lighter roasts of coffee sold in bags or pods, along with the growing location, can impact the levels of heavy metals.
- The National Coffee Association, which represents the US coffee industry, asserts that consumption of coffee is linked to longer, healthier lives based on decades of independent scientific findings.
- In the realm of finance, investing in companies involved in the coffee-and-exercise industry could prove beneficial, according to personal-finance analysts, considering the health advantages of coffee and the growing demand for fitness-and-exercise products.
- The ongoing climate-change crisis and associated environmental-science research highlight the importance of sustainable farming practices in the food-and-drink industry, including coffee production.
- As part of one's education-and-self-development journey, understanding the origins of the food-and-drink you consume, including coffee, can help make more informed shopping decisions.
- The data-and-cloud-computing and technology sectors play a crucial role in supporting environmentally-friendly businesses, lifestyle choices, sports, entertainment, and general-news media outlets that raise awareness about critical issues like climate-change, food-safety, and sustainable living.
- In the realm of entertainment, recent studies show that moderate coffee consumption could contribute to improved mood, cognitive function, and even enhanced performance in activities such as casino-and-gambling or sports, but only for individuals who are not sensitive to caffeine.
