In a concerning revelation for decaffeinated coffee lovers, CNN reports that the beloved beverage may contain a chemical linked to cancer. Health and environmental activists are now urging the ban of this substance, known as methylene chloride, from the production process of decaf coffee.

Previously used by coffee roasters to remove caffeine from coffee beans, methylene chloride is not only utilized as a solvent in various manufacturing and commercial processes but has also been banned by the federal government as a paint stripper since 2019. Now, there is growing pressure to completely phase out its use in consumers and industry, except in limited settings.

Research shows that short-term exposure to methylene chloride can have detrimental effects on the central nervous system. Prolonged exposure to the chemical has been linked to the development of liver and lung cancers, as well as liver damage in general.

Despite these risks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently allows the use of methylene chloride for the production of decaffeinated coffee. This has raised concerns among health advocates, prompting a petition filed late last year by groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, urging the FDA to ban methylene chloride from the decaf coffee production process.

The FDA published the petition in January and accepted public comments on the application until March. As of now, federal regulations permit the use of methylene chloride as long as it does not exceed 10 parts per million in decaffeinated roasted coffee and soluble coffee extract.

Critics argue that the use of methylene chloride is unnecessary and point to alternative methods for decaffeination. These include the implementation of safer processes that use carbon dioxide as a solvent or the Swiss Water Process, where coffee beans are soaked in warm water and organic solvents are utilized instead of methylene chloride.

While awaiting the FDA's decision on the petition to ban methylene chloride, experts recommend that decaf coffee enthusiasts seek out organic beans or those labeled as having undergone the Swiss Water Process.

As the debate over the use of methylene chloride in decaf coffee continues, consumers and industry stakeholders alike are calling for safer alternatives to ensure the health and well-being of all coffee drinkers.