A doctor has assessed the health risks of cockroach particles in coffee
In most cases, tiny insect particles in ground coffee will not harm health, but there is an exception, said Ekaterina Kashukh, candidate of medical sciences, gastroenterologist, expert of Hemotest Laboratory. She told Izvestia on January 23 that drinking such a drink can cause an allergic reaction in people allergic to mussels, oysters, shrimp, crayfish and other similar products.
In mid-January, the Daily Mail reported that scientists speculate that some bags of ground black coffee may contain microscopic particles of cockroaches and other insects that get there during bean harvesting, processing.
"Cockroaches and other insects get into bags of coffee beans during harvest, from warehouses and from the shops where the coffee is ground, dried and processed. Of course, regulators require growers to treat facilities for rodents and insects, but it's not always possible to protect products 100 percent. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are at least 10% of various insect fragments per bag of coffee beans. And this volume of strange inclusions is considered quite acceptable," Kashukh said.
According to her, in most situations, tiny insect particles in ground coffee will not harm health, but there is an exception.
"Cockroaches contain tropomyosin, a protein that is also produced in mollusks and crustaceans. Tropomyosin is a pretty strong allergen, which in addition is not destroyed by heat treatment. So ground coffee, which contains fragments of cockroaches, may well cause an allergic reaction in people allergic to mussels, oysters, shrimp, crayfish and other similar products," she explained.
The gastroenterologist specified that there may be tingling on the tongue and in the mouth, swelling, itching, rashes all over the body or in some areas, abdominal pain. At the slightest signs of allergy should take antihistamines, she emphasized. If symptoms do not go away and increase, one should seek medical help as soon as possible.
She added that in Russia, according to GOST 32775-2014, no foreign impurities and pests are allowed in roasted coffee. The level of toxic substances - arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead - is also measured in the finished product.
"If the indicators are exceeded or the coffee does not meet other requirements, the product will not reach the shelves. This is clearly regulated by legislation," concluded Kashukh.
Earlier, on December 16, a nutritionist, endocrinologist "SM-Clinica", Candidate of Medical Sciences Oksana Mikhaleva told "Izvestia" that pregnant and lactating women should be very careful about caffeine, as its excessive consumption can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus, causing palpitations. At the same time, excessive caffeine can reduce iron absorption in the intestine, leading to anemia in children during breastfeeding.
