Cancer Concerns Lead to Calls to Ban Potentially Harmful Decaffeinating Agent in Coffee

Methylene chloride is used in decaffeinating coffee. It's a known carcinogen banned from some uses, but food uses regulated by FDA remain.

Advocacy groups filed petitions to ban methylene chloride in food, citing the Delaney Clause that requires banning food additives proven to cause cancer.

FDA is reviewing the petitions but currently allows up to 0.001% methylene chloride residues in decaffeinated coffee.

Some coffee companies use alternative decaffeination methods without methylene chloride. Consumers can look for "solvent-free" labels.

If concerned, consumers can consider substitutes like chicory root and dandelion root beverages that are naturally caffeine-free.