Although coffee can contain certain contaminants and toxins, it does not represent any danger to health, according to a recent study by Clean Label Project.
Some 57 coffee varieties have been studied as part of this survey aimed at detecting health risks in this daily product.
The analyzes notably revealed the presence of traces of glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide associated with hormonal disturbances and neurotoxic effects, as well as one of its by-products in some of them.
Low amounts of plastic derivatives from their packaging have also been identified in other varieties.
However, according to what the executive director of Clean Label Projet said, Molly Hamilton, in an interview with CNN, the quantities detected are too minimal to endanger the health of coffee consumers.
“Although some contaminants were detected, most were present at minimal levels, well below the security limits established by the European Union for a portion of 180 ml. This means that coffee is generally safe, ”she said.
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Plastics from packaging
In addition to glyphosate, the tests revealed that certain coffees also contained small amounts of phthalates, a plasticizer present in consumer products such as food containers.
Phthalates have been associated with reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and not descended testicles in baby boys, as well as a drop in the number of sperm and testosterone levels in adult men.
Studies have also established a link between phthalates and asthma, infantile obesity and cancer.
The survey revealed that the highest levels of phthalates were in the coffee sold in boxes, followed by pods and finally sachets.
“The high levels of phthalates detected in coffee pods and canned coffee suggest that the packaging could be an important source of exposure to these worrying chemicals,” said Andrews, interim scientific director of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a consumer defense group in CNN.
A surprising discovery in organic cafes
The investigation has also revealed “large” quantities of aminomethylphosphonic acid, or AMPA, a by-product of the glyphosate that breaks into the environment, according to the report.
AMPA has been shown to damage cell DNA of prostate cells and increases the risk of liver inflammation and metabolic disorders in young adults.
Although organic certified coffee producers cannot use pesticides such as glyphosate, the biological fields may be contaminated by runoff from neighboring conventional farms, said Molly Hamilton.
“We clearly need more strict protection measures and greater transparency in our food system,” she added.
Other contaminants present in the cafe
Heavy metal levels depend on the place of cultivation of coffee. Africa has some of the lowest levels of heavy metals, while the highest levels have been observed in Hawaiian cafe.
An analysis also revealed that 100 % of the tested coffee samples contained small amounts of acrylamide, a colorless and odorless chemical that has been associated with cancer in animals exposed to extremely high doses. However, this chemical is not considered toxic to humans at low doses.
Clean Label’s tests have revealed that acrylamide levels varied depending on the degree of roasting of coffee beans. The highest levels of acrylamide have been found in medium roasting, followed by light roasted and dark roasted.
“Dark cafes are the best choice because they are roasted at lower temperatures for a longer period, which prevents acrylamide levels from increasing,” said Hamilton.
“When you choose your coffee, opt for the darkest or clearest roasting in sachets or dosters, and take into account the place of coffee culture, which can affect the heavy metal content,” she advises.
“Coffee remains one of the clean product categories that we have ever tested. Our report is not intended to alert consumers or dissuade them from drinking coffee, but rather to give them the means to choose the cleanest and safest coffee, “she concluded.