Millions of Americans enjoy a good cup of coffee, including those who drink decaf from time to time. It estimated that more than 26 million Americans prefer to have a cup of decaffeinated coffee. Whether because of the sensitivity that caffeine causes to many, or because they crave the taste of coffee but prefer not to get additional energy, at least once a day,
Decaffeinated coffee
The coffee plant contains caffeine naturally. And some may imagine that decaffeinating coffee is done in a natural way. Similar to roasting coffee for a very long time or simply choosing a lower amount of caffeine by reducing the proportion of coffee beans. But in reality, the process of removing caffeine from coffee, as is the case with many modern foods, requires a lot of processing. As the coffee beans must be subjected to treatment using chemical solvents, the most important of which is methylene chloride.
Methylene chloride
Methylene chloride, a “colorless. Volatile liquid with an odor similar to chloroform,” which OSHA asserts is not the safest ingredient. If small amounts are used.
The Methylene chloride used in various industrial processes, in many different industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint removers, metal cleaning, and degreasing.”
Related: 5 Types of Coffee That Aid in Burning Body Fat
Strict procedures
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers methylene chloride a probable carcinogen, meaning it has linked to cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been making decisions to allow the use of methylene chloride in very small levels since January 2024, while the Environmental Protection Agency recently banned the use of methylene chloride in most applications.
10 ppm
The US Food and Drug Administration allows a small trace. No more than 10 parts per million (equivalent to 0.001%) of methylene chloride to remain on coffee beans to allow consumption. So the US Food and Drug Administration filed a petition earlier in 2024 requesting that some potentially harmful chemicals. Including methylene chloride, benzene, ethylene dichloride. And trichloroethylene, removed from foods and beverages.
Swiss water method
Other methods used to remove caffeine from some types of coffee. Including the so-called Swiss water method, which involves soaking green coffee beans in water. Allowing the caffeine to leach out naturally over several hours.
Experts advise that decaffeinated coffee consumers who are concerned about exposure to methylene chloride should check with several nonprofit organizations that test beverages for potentially harmful chemicals. To ensure that brands are free of methylene chloride or any chemicals.
