If you’re a fan of decaf, you’ve probably come across troubling headlines about the chemicals in your morning coffee.
Many people choose to drink decaf for health reasons. It is also a common choice during pregnancy, when women are advised to limit their caffeine intake.
Many decaf coffee producers apply the “European” or “direct” method, which involves steaming green coffee beans before repeatedly rinsing them with a chemical solvent to extract the caffeine.
One of the most popular solvents is methylene chloride.an industrial chemical also found in paint strippers, adhesives and degreasers.
The Environmental Working Group, an American environmental organization, has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the apply of methylene chloride in food and decaffeinated coffee.
Meanwhile, in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) most, but not all, industrial uses of methylene chloride have been banned following a risk assessment that showed the chemical could cause neurotoxicity and cancer at certain doses.
The agency is also urging consumers not to apply products containing methylene chloride that they may have already purchased to remove paints and coatings.
However, experts say there is no need to worry about drinking decaffeinated coffee, even if these chemicals are used in its production.
Should the methylene chloride in decaf coffee be a concern?
When methylene chloride is used as a caffeine solvent, only a very tiny amount of the chemical remains on the grains.
Under the Australian Food Standards Code, the maximum amount of methylene chloride allowed in decaffeinated coffee is 2 milligrams per kilogram — in other words, two parts per million.
Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows a maximum level of methylene chloride in decaffeinated coffee of 10 parts per million, which is five times the limit in Australia.
Oliver Jones, professor of chemistry at RMIT, says the toxicity of the chemical depends on the dose and concentration of methylene chloride in decaffeinated coffee should not be a cause for concern.
“There is really no evidence that the levels of methylene chloride in decaf coffee cause any problems,” says Professor Jones.
Lauren Ball, professor of community health and wellbeing at the University of Queensland, shares this view.
“There is a theoretical risk that we have — but I am not aware of any case, proof or data that people have negative health effects or side effects from these solvents.”
The Australian and Recent Zealand Food Standards Agency (FSANZ) has said it is looking into the presence of methylene chloride in decaffeinated coffee. secure for consumers up to the permitted level of 2 mg/kg.
“FSANZ has no plans to change the permitted levels of methylene chloride, however if any modern scientific evidence indicates there is a safety issue for consumers we may change the Code.”
Is decaf coffee hearty for pregnant women?
Many women drink decaf coffee during pregnancy to limit their caffeine intake, and should take extra care to avoid exposure to any chemicals.
“Pregnancy is a time when many mothers take extra precautions about what goes into their bodies,” says Professor Ball.
Some decaffeinated coffee is produced without the apply of solvents.so this is an option for people who would like to completely eliminate exposure to these chemicals.
Some producers, for example, extract caffeine from coffee beans without using solvents, using liquid CO2 or the “Swiss Water Process” method.
One of the challenges for consumers is that decaffeinated coffee labels often do not provide information about the extraction methodsays Professor Ball.
It is suggested to assume that solvents have been used unless the manufacturer provides otherwise.
Finally, remember that decaf coffee still contains some caffeine. A 250 ml serving of decaf coffee contains two to six milligrams of caffeine.
If you are pregnant, it is recommended to limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg per dayHearty, non-pregnant adults are advised to limit their caffeine intake to 400 mg per day — the equivalent of about four shots of espresso.
Are there any health benefits to drinking decaffeinated coffee?
Studies have linked coffee consumption to health benefits, including a lower risk of certain diseases. It’s unclear, however, whether this effect comes from the beans or something else entirely.
Some studies have shown that health benefits are also associated with decaffeinated coffee.
Bottom line is that despite worrying headlines, a cup of decaf coffee is unlikely to pose a health risk, says Professor Jones.
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