Why there might be insects inside your morning cup of coffee

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By Kate Fowler

5 January 2024

Yes, you could be gulping crushed insects when you sip your coffee in the morning – and its actually extremely common.�

It might not be the nicest thought, but insects are commonly found in pre-ground coffee beans sold to the public and the FDA knows about it. In fact, theres even a limit on how many insects can be found in your coffee before the FDA will take action (hint: its higher than you might think but also completely safe)�

Why would I find insects in my coffee? 

When it comes to the production of coffee beans, there are certain natural additives that the FDA regards as unavoidable, yet not harmful to humans when consumed. The FDAs Microanalytical Procedures Manual records trace elements found in food and drinks. Insects were a common trace element found in both ground and whole-bean coffee sold to the public.�

The Food Defect Levels Handbook produced by the FDA marks that insects or pieces of insects are unavoidable when it comes to mass-produced raw products.�

Thats not to say the FDA doesnt regulate it, however, with the organization setting a defect action level of 10% or more coffee beans infested by insects.

It doesnt mean that any and all insects are okay with the FDA. According to the departments guidelines published in 2002, psocids, as well as other non-storage insects not normally associated with green coffee beans, are to be reported separately from live whole insects or equivalent.

Most commonly associated with green coffee beans are the coffee berry borer beetle and the coffee bean weevil.

“The major pest attacking coffee beans is the coffee berry borer beetle,�Hypothenemus�hampei�(Ferrari). The larvae of this pest infest the coffee “cherry” on the tree and burrow into the bean. Larvae, pupae, adults, and debris consisting of excreta and cast skins may be found in coffee. Another common pest that may cause insect damage, the coffee bean weevil (Araecerus�fasciculatus�(DeGeer)), is a broad-nosed weevil. In warm, damp climates, it is a storage pest of many seeds, including coffee,” reported the FDA.

What about cockroaches?

Cockroaches in coffee are a big fear of many, with the rumor circulating online for many years. Its reported by Snopes that this started in 2009 when biologist Douglas Emlen revealed in an interview that his undergraduate advisor had allergic reactions to coffee after developing an allergy to cockroaches in his work.�

This however is only anecdotal research and there is little hard evidence available of cockroach traces, grounded or whole, in coffee – though it is of course possible, seeing as cockroaches are still insects.

In fact, the FDA has spoken previously on its stance against cockroaches during the production process of coffee beans. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring food products for the U.S. market, including coffee, are safe and comply with applicable federal laws and regulations including preventing pests like cockroaches from contaminating food. To be clear, cockroaches are not allowed in coffee, a spokesperson told Snopes.

@drsermedmezher

This Just Ruined Coffee 🤢 allergy. In the realm of food production, it might surprise many to know that there are acceptable levels of insects allowed in various food products. Regulatory bodies and food safety standards acknowledge that complete elimination of insects from the food supply chain is practically challenging. Here’s an insight into this aspect of food safety: Insect Contamination Standards: Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and other international bodies, have established permissible levels of insect parts in certain foods, recognizing that a complete absence is impractical. Unavoidable Contaminants: Insects can inadvertently find their way into food during cultivation, harvesting, processing, or transportation, making it challenging to eliminate them entirely. Protein Source: In some cultures, insects are intentionally consumed as a protein source, highlighting cultural variations in acceptable food practices. Quality Assurance Measures: Food manufacturers implement rigorous quality assurance measures to minimize insect contamination, but some level of acceptance is built into standards. Nutritional Considerations: Insects are rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, and intentional inclusion in certain food products is being explored for nutritional benefits. Risk Assessment: Regulatory agencies conduct risk assessments to determine the potential health risks associated with the consumption of insects in food, ensuring that acceptable levels are within safe limits. Common Examples: Products like canned fruits, grains, and chocolate are among those where some level of insect contamination may be deemed acceptable within established guidelines. #FoodSafety #InsectConsumption #RegulatoryStandards #CulturalDiversity #ProteinSource #SustainableFood #FoodQuality #NutritionalBenefits #GlobalFoodSupply #CulinaryPractices #ConsumerAwareness #FoodRegulations #InsectProtein #SustainableNutrition #AcceptableLevels #CulturalDiversityInFood #Entomophagy #FoodProduction #SustainableDiet #HealthAndWellness #FoodSecurity #fyp #fypシ #medicine

♬ Moonlight – Villano

Many internet users only recently made the discovery 

Although the truth of insects in coffee has long been available online, it routinely breaks ground on social media. 

Recently, London doctor Dr Sermed Mezher went viral on TikTok with his explanation of insects found in coffee. It must be noted however that Mezher refers to the unconfirmed claim of cockroaches commonly found in the beans, instead of insects as a whole. 

He does however warn that those with allergies to shellfish, and thus cockroaches, may want to avoid pre-ground coffee beans just in case.