Decaffeinated coffee and tea drinkers frequently opt for decaf beverages due to the health benefits, including heart disease prevention, weight loss and an energy boost. But a new study indicates that many popular brands of decaf may contain chemicals known to cause cancer, liver and brain damage in high doses – like Methylene Chloride which was recently banned as paint stripper due to respiratory problems but used as solvent in coffee decaffeination processes.

Clean Label Project, a nonprofit environmental watchdog group, discovered that many popular decaf coffee brands such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts use methylene chloride – commonly referred to as dichloromethane – in their decaffeination processes. Methylene chloride, commonly referred to as dichloromethane – which has been linked with cancer, cognitive impairment, asphyxiation as well as liver, kidney and reproductive toxicity – in their decaffeination processes. Although FDA have not evaluated levels for over 35 years some brands tested by Clean Label Project exceeded these levels significantly

Methylene chloride is produced as a byproduct of steaming to extract caffeine from coffee beans. German coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius accidentally discovered this process when his shipment became submerged in seawater during transport. As this naturally removed some caffeine, Roselius began researching ways to replicate it industrially; when benzene proved too toxic for use he switched to methylene chloride as his preferred choice.

Methylene chloride-free alternatives exist, including the water-based Swiss Water Process; however, most companies don’t disclose which one their product uses on its label. If you want to steer clear of chemicals altogether when selecting decaffeination methods for your decaf, look for labels stating “solvent-free” and “chemical-free”, as well as certified organic product certifications.

Clean Label website offers a tool for discovering whether or not the coffee you like uses methylene chloride for decaffeination, making this searchable database available to the public. They recommend reaching out directly to brands you love requesting they switch over to more natural and non-chemical decaffeination processes instead.

Organic decaf coffee blends that we particularly enjoyed were La Colombe Luna Azul and Caribou Coffee Pike Place blends, which had distinct woody and smoky notes with pleasant sweetness that wasn’t hidden by ashy or burnt rubber notes. You could also ask your local roaster about their decaf options; many smaller brands that don’t mass-produce can describe the methods they use (often natural solvents like water or carbon dioxide) when decaffeinating their beans, along with tips for producing the best decaf yourself at home!