59% of Pesticides Used in Coffee Production Are Banned in the EU, Investigation Finds

A recent investigation reveals a disturbing reality behind coffee production: 59% of the pesticides employed are prohibited within the European Union. The report, titled 'Poison in Your Coffee,' compiled by organizations including Coffee Watch and Deutsche Umwelthilfe, synthesized scientific literature, government data, and field research from major coffee-producing nations like Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya, and Colombia.

The study underscores a significant regulatory double standard, where pesticides deemed too hazardous for use in wealthy nations are exported to coffee-producing countries with weaker regulations. Farmers in these regions frequently lack adequate protective equipment, exposing them directly to chemicals classified as highly dangerous by the World Health Organization. These include substances that are carcinogenic, reprotoxic, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxic.

Researchers estimate that one in every five cups of coffee might contain pesticide residues. Specifically, glyphosate residues, known as AMPA, were detected in 72% of the analyzed samples. The report details how countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and Kenya have seen substantial increases in pesticide use over the years, with coffee cultivation representing a significant portion of national pesticide consumption in some regions.

The findings point to severe health risks for agricultural workers and rural communities. They bear the brunt of exposure through mixing, spraying, water contamination, and drift, leading to acute poisonings, respiratory issues, neurological symptoms, reproductive damage, and an increased risk of cancer. The report highlights that in Brazil alone, 164 registered glyphosate products are authorized for coffee cultivation, and studies on green coffee beans from various countries have confirmed the presence of glyphosate, AMPA, and insecticides.