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Nutrition

Other compounds in coffee

Other compounds found in coffee are formed during the storage and processing of coffee beans. These include compounds such as Ochratoxin A, the source of which is mould that can develop on badly stored green (unroasted) coffee beans, and acrylamide and furan, which arise through the heat processing of foods

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Nutrition

The coffee manufacturers have introduced measures to avoid the development of Ochratoxin A and closely monitor levels of acrylamide and furan in the final coffee product.

Many studies have considered the possible effects on health of the compounds formed during processing, and some of this research is summarised below.

Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by mould that can develop on badly stored coffee beans. OTA can be found in a number of different foods including cereals and dried vine fruits when they are stored under humid conditions20.

Today, ‘Good Agricultural Practice’ in coffee producing countries has enabled effective controls to be put in place at source, ensuring correct storage of coffee beans to avoid the development of Ochratoxin A. EU regulations also control levels of OTA in coffee, thus eliminating the concerns associated with its presence in coffee beans and finished coffee21.

In 2020, The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in its ‘Risk assessment of ochratoxin A in food’, concluded that ‘possible associations between OTA exposure and kidney disease, bladder or hepatocellular cancer have been investigated in epidemiological studies, but it is not possible to establish a causal link between exposure to OTA and adverse effects in humans’22.

For further information from the European Coffee Federation’s ‘Code of Practice for the Prevention of Mould Formation’, click here.

Acrylamide

In June 2015, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a scientific opinion which found that acrylamide in food may potentially pose a health risk, namely an increased risk of cancer23. The conclusion was based on animal studies as EFSA stated that evidence from human studies is limited and inconclusive. A previous review has also suggested that epidemiologic studies of dietary acrylamide intake have failed to demonstrate an increased risk of cancer in humans24. In its review of coffee and cancer, published in June 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified coffee into Group 3 for agents ‘not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans25. After thoroughly reviewing more than 1,000 studies in humans and animals, IARC found there was inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking overall25.

Health authorities have not advised people to stop consuming coffee or any food due to occurrence of acrylamide. In November 2017, the European Commission introduced regulation to reduce the presence of acrylamide in food, including coffee products26.

Furan

Furan and methylfurans form naturally during heating or cooking and are present in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including infant cereals, baby food in jars, breakfast cereals and coffee. In coffee, furan is naturally formed during the roasting process. Furan is likely to have been part of the human diet for thousands of years, as it can be formed through traditional cooking methods.

Several studies indicate that furan levels significantly decrease during coffee brewing, as the compound is highly volatile and evaporates readily27-30.

The levels of furan in coffee are monitored throughout Europe and reports are published regularly by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)31.

Concerns have arisen from studies in animals that suggest a link between high furan intake and the development of some cancers, notably liver cancer32. However, in its review of coffee and cancer published in June 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified coffee into Group 3 for agents ‘not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans’. After thoroughly reviewing more than 1000 studies in humans and animals IARC found there was inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking overall25. In addition, IARC concluded that the research suggests an inverse association between coffee consumption and liver cancer25.

Regulatory bodies have previously examined furan, but to date have not established limits in food or beverage products. In 2017, EFSA published its Scientific Opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of furan and methylfurans in food33. EFSA’s scientific opinion will help EU and national bodies decide whether further research is needed.