Decaf Coffee Production Raises Health Concern In Inland Empire, Nation

INLAND EMPIRE, CA— Five years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled to ban the manufacturing, importing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint and coating removers used by consumers. The federal agency said it took the action because of "acute fatalities" tied to exposure to the chemical.

Yet methylene chloride is commonly used to decaffeinate coffee that Californians and the rest of the nation consume.

Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-Colton) is working to change that in the Golden State. In February, she introduced Assembly Bill 2066. If passed, the legislation would ban the common decaf processing method and prohibit the sales, delivery and distribution of coffee decaffeinated by methylene chloride statewide.

The proposal, however, faces heavy opposition from the coffee industry. The National Coffee Association — which lobbies on behalf of the sector — argues that banning methylene chloride would "unjustifiably deny decaffeinated coffee drinkers access to a safe product ... ."

Patch contacted Dunkin', Peet's and Starbucks to confirm whether methylene chloride processing is used in their decaf coffees.

"At Peet’s, all of our decaf coffees are decaffeinated using a natural water process, including our decaf ground, whole bean, and K-cup coffees and our hand-crafted beverages in our cafes," the company said in an emailed statement. "The water process gently removes caffeine from fresh coffee beans while maintaining the distinctive flavor profile of the beans.

"The process is slower than the European Method used by many other brands and by the industry for more than 50 years, but we use the water method for the same reason we do everything in coffee — to achieve the highest quality for our customers," the Peet's statement continued.

According to the NCA, methylene chloride use is common in the "European Method" of coffee decaffeination. It is the least expensive and most widely available decaf method.

Dunkin' and Starbucks did not respond to Patch's request for comment.

In an April 5 CNN report, Starbucks allegedly told the news outlet that its most common decaffeination method involves a solvent, but the coffee company did not disclose what chemical is used.

"The majority of decaffeinated coffee has been made using the European Method for more than 50 years," the NCA said in a statement last month. "European Method decaf is authorized as safe by the rigorous standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ... and other food safety authorities around the world."

The FDA has established that methylene chloride should not exceed 10 parts per million (0.001 percent) in decaffeinated coffee. Is that safe? According to the FDA, yes, but the agency is currently reviewing its stance following a December petition from the Environmental Defense Fund and others. The petition asks the FDA to amend its food additive regulations by removing certain solvents, including methylene chloride.

There is little doubt that methylene chloride — a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor — may be dangerous.

"In addition to causing cancer, methylene chloride is so highly toxic that it can cause death at high levels of exposure," according to California's Prop. 65 warnings. Gloves and respiratory protective equipment are recommended when working with the solvent.

Other solvents that petitioners say should be banned from foods are:

• Benzene is allowed in hops extracts (beer production and supplements).
• Trichloroethylene (TCE) is allowed in decaffeinated coffee; certain spice extracts — used for taste and coloring; and hops extracts.
• Ethylene dichloride is allowed in certain spice extracts (for taste and coloring); hops extracts; in water used to wash sugar beets; and to dilute pesticides.

The petitioners argue that, under the FDA's "Delaney Clause," "no food additive shall be deemed to be safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal ... ."

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers methylene chloride a "potential occupational carcinogen" that can cause cancer. The most common means of workplace exposure are inhalation and skin exposure.

Still, the NCA claims the petitioners have not presented "anything resembling compelling evidence" to warrant a ban on methylene chloride to decaffeinate coffee.

The "FDA and the California legislature must reject these baseless proposed bans," the NCA said.

If AB 2066 passes, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The bill would include civil penalties for violators: up to $5,000 for a first-time offense and up to $10,000 for each subsequent violation.

The legislation currently sits in the state Assembly's Health Committee.