Does Decaffeinated Coffee Contain Formaldehyde?

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Kathryn van Zwieten 13 Comments

(Republished from the Aug. 2011 Healing Harvest Newsletter)

What an unappetizing question! There are two things that I have found many men to be most passionate about in their diets, and they are… meat and coffee. First off, there is a small amount of formaldehyde present in coffee beans (naturally occurring) that is released during the high temperature roasting process. Unlike tea, coffee contains a very hard shell around the bean, and often times solvents are used in the lengthy decaffeinating process. The beans can have direct or indirect contact with these substances.

Though it is believed that coffee is no longer processed with formaldehyde in the US, though the FDA allows formaldehyde in present day vaccines and other food substances that convert to formaldehyde derivatives in the human body – such as aspartame, it is best to contact the company to know for sure what type of process they use. Water processes followed by ethylene acetate (naturally occurring in fruits and veggies) are more natural methods, and that is where the term “naturally decaffeinated” comes from.

However, it is interesting that some people report the smell of formaldehyde or allergic reactions (in formaldehyde sensitive individuals) to some coffee brands- this should make us all think twice to what is really in there. Though it is true that there are some beneficial substances in coffee, it is also true that in some studies, even a cup of day can interfere with fertility. Caffeine can have devastating effects on our health as well. (Less is best, none is divine). So if you have to have that coffee from time to time (or more frequently than that), make sure it is a good one and you know what is in there- all the way to the last drop!