Premium Coffee Tested for PFAS, Mycotoxins & 500+ Pesticides — Guide

Which premium coffee brands have zero detections of PFAS, pesticides and mycotoxins? That was the question we were trying to answer when we sent some of the most popular premium coffees to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides and mycotoxins. Which premium coffee brands does Mamavation recommend after all this testing? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you consumer studies like safest olive oils tested for phthalates, the safest salt tested for heavy metals and microplastics, and best water purifiers that can filter PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for our latest consumer study on premium coffee tested for PFAS, mycotoxins, mold, yeast and 500+ pesticides.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  Copyright © 2024 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Organic & Premium Coffee Brands May Be Safer Than Conventional Coffee

First of all, we have some good news for you. Most of the organic & premium coffees we tested were “clean” without traces of PFAS “forever chemicals,” 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, or mold. If you purchase organic & premium coffee, you’ve likely heard that “coffee is full of pesticides and mycotoxins.” We found this not to be an accurate statement when referring to the premium coffee brands we tested.

However, because we didn’t test every single premium coffee and conventional coffee brand available on the market today, we cannot make that assumption for every brand. But first, let’s go over some of the issues that could present themselves in conventional coffee, and then we will go over the details of what we tested for and the laboratory results of the brands that were tested.

UPDATED: After our original study on coffee was posted, researchers found that people who drank lots of coffee had more PFAS in their blood. So we went back to the drawing board and started testing these coffees again for 40 PFAS analytes. What we found AGAIN was that premium coffee brands were not as problematic as other types of coffee. We have no idea what type of coffee the people who participated in this study were drinking, but we don’t think they were drinking premium brands like the ones we tested.

Pesticides in Coffee

Many types of pesticides are used in coffee production.  Recent studies have found the vast majority of pesticides used in coffee production fall under these categories: organophosphates (OP), pyrethroids, and carbamates. For a more complete list of what is used in coffee production, here are some pesticides you may find in conventional coffee. To have the safest coffee, you’ll want to avoid the pesticides on this list. (Note: Mamavation included all these pesticides in our testing, including hundreds more.)

1. Parathion Methyl: Used to fight leaf miner infestations, this toxic chemical is highly toxic to humans, mammals, birds, and fish. It’s an extremely hazardous insecticide that has been banned in India since 2016, banned in Indonesia, & banned in the European Union.
2. Endosulfan: Used to fight against the coffee cherry borer, this dangerous pesticide doesn’t dissolve easily in the soil and is toxic to most animals. It affects the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and even death.
3. Chlorpyrifos: This pesticide class has been banned in the United States for household use because of birth defects.
4. Triadimefon: This copper-based fungicide is used against coffee rust. It’s suspected reproductive problems can arise with chronic exposure. Studies have also linked it to hyperactivity in rats. In Kenya and Costa Rica, this copper-based fungicide has accumulated in the soils and become a problem.
5. Abamectin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is legal everywhere.
6. Aldicarb: This extremely hazardous insecticide has been banned everywhere but Brazil. So you’ll find this chemical on some Brazillian coffee beans that are not organic.
7. Cirpoconazole / cyproconazole: This is a slightly hazardous fungicide that is restricted for household use in the US. Cyproconazole is a reproductive toxicant in EPA’s 2011 predictive model of reproductive toxicity. Cyproconazole demonstrated it can induce liver swelling in mice according to studies.
8. Cypermethrin / ZetaCypermethrin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is banned in India. Cypermethrin is used to control parasites that infest cattle and ticks on docs. 
9. Dichlorvos / DDVP: This moderately hazardous organophosphate insecticide is banned in several countries. A study found a link to increased odds of ADHD in children. Banned in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and restricted in US. 
10. Haloxyfop: This moderately hazardous herbicide is restricted in the European Union.
11. Imidacloprid: This moderately hazardous insecticide may see a ban from Canada soon. The primary effects of longer-term, low dose exposure to imidacloprid are on the liver, thyroid, and body weight.
12. Permethrin: This moderately hazardous insecticide is banned in the European Union and restricted in the United States. It’s used to treat scabies and lice and can be applied to the skin as a lotion. As an insecticide, it’s sprayed on clothing and crops.
13. Phorate: This extremely hazardous insecticide is banned in the European Union and India. Phorate is very easily absorbed and its toxicity is high.
14. Propiconazole: This moderately hazardous fungicide is banned in the European Union.
15. Terbufos: This extremely hazardous organophosphate insecticide is banned in the European Union and restricted in the United States. Organophosphate poisoning is not common in the United States, but cases of terbufos poisoning occur in the developing world. This insecticide is widespread and very dangerous for farmers.

Mycotoxins in Coffee

Another major contamination problem you’ll find in coffee is mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain molds and fungi according to the World Health Organization (WHO). You are exposed to them in your environment and food. When it comes to food, they grow in coffee beans, grains and cereals, dried fruits, nuts, spices, cocoa beans, and apples. Molds produce mycotoxins when they grow and spread and these mycotoxins in high amounts are dangerous to both animals and humans.

Several studies have found mycotoxins inside roasted and green coffee beans in low concentrations. You’ll also find mycotoxins in some animal products, including eggs and dairy products (if the animals ate contaminated feed).

Here’s the mycotoxins mostly found in coffee:

• Aflatoxin B1: this mycotoxin is a known carcinogen and studies have shown that it can have harmful effects. Aspergillus mold produces Aflatoxin. Aspergillus molds grow mostly on crops, such as grains and nuts. Aflatoxin is the most common mycotoxin on earth.
• Ochratoxin A: this mycotoxin is commonly found in coffee as well as cereals, bread, fruits, spices, and even beer. It can also be transmitted to eggs and meat via contaminated feed. Penicillium and Aspergillus produce Ochratoxin.

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Coffee

Researchers linked high consumption of coffee to higher levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” like PFOA in the blood. It’s likely PFAS is finding its way into coffee through biosolids in compost, polluted water, or manufacturing practices.

Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Sachets

Although this is the first time we’ve tested and found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” in coffee sachets, we’ve been finding them in several other types of packaging. PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. In fact, many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies.

PFAS “forever chemicals” are found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for PFAS-free sachets for coffee and tea. If you would like to read more about the testing we have done on indications of PFAS in other products, click here.

For this investigation, we tested one sachet from one coffee brand for organic fluorine, which is an indicator test for PFAS, however, we followed up also testing coffee directly for 40 PFAS analytes. More will be discussed below.

Details Behind the Testing Mamavation Did On Premium Coffee Brands

500+ Pesticide Laboratory Test for Coffee Brands — Testing Details

For this investigation premium coffee brands were sent to our EPA-certified lab and analyzed using two different methods which totaled testing for 587 pesticides down to the lowest standardized level. The first group analyzed coffee using the GC-MS/MS technique for 227 pesticides and included the following:

• 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
• 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
• 2-phenylphenol (SP)
• 8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
• Acetochlor
• Acrinathrin
• Alachlor
• Aldrin
• Alpha Endosulfan
• Alpha-HCH
• Ametryn
• Anthraquinone
• Atrazine
• Beflubutamid
• Benalaxyl
• Benfluralin
• Beta Endosulfan
• Beta-HCH
• Bifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
• Bifenox
• Bifenthrin
• Biphenyl
• Bitertanol
• Bromophos-ethyl
• Bromophos-methyl
• Bromopropylate
• Bupirimate
• Captan
• Captan (Sum)
• Carbophenothion
• Chinomethionat
• Chlordane (Sum)
• Chlorfenapyr
• Chlorfenson
• Chlorfenvinphos
• Chlormephos
• Chlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
• Chlorothalonil
• Chlorotoluron
• Chlorpropham
• Chlorpyrifos
• Chlorpyrifos-methyl
• Chlorthal-dimethyl
• Chlorthion
• Cinidon-ethyl
• Cis-Chlordane
• Cyfluthrin
• Cyproconazole
• Cyprodinil
• DDD-pp+DDT-0p
• DDT (Sum)
• DEET
• delta-HCH
• Deltamethrin
• Desethyl atrazine
• Diafenthiuron
• Diazinon
• Dichlobenil
• Dichlofenthion
• Diclobutrazol
• Dicloran
• Dicofol (Sum)
• Dicofol 0,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Dicofol o,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Difenoconazole
• Diflufenican
• Dimefox
• Dimoxystrobin
• Diniconazole
•  Dinobuton
• Diphenylamine
• Disulfoton (SP)
• Disulfoton (Sum)
• Disulfoton Sulfone
• Disulfoton Sulfoxide
• Ditalimfos
• Endosulfan (Sum)
• Endosulfan-Sulphate
• Endrin
• EPN
• Epsilon-HCH
• EPTC
• Ethalfuralin
• Ethion
• Ethofumesate (SP)
• Ethoprophos
• Etridiazole
• Etrimfos
• Fenarimol
• Fenazaquin
• Fenchlorphos (SP)
• Fenchlorphos (Sum)
• Fenchlorphos Oxon
• Fenitrothion
• Fenpropathrin
• Fenson
• Fenthion (SP)
• Fenthion Oxon
• Fenvalerate
• Flucythrinate
• Flumetralin
• Fluopicolide
• Fluopyram
• Fluotrimazole
• Flutamone
• Fluvalinate
• Folpet
• Folpet (Sum)
• Fonofos
• Furalaxyl
• Heptachlor (SP)
• Heptachlor (Sum)
• Heptachlor Epoxide A
• Heptachlor Epoxide B
• Heptenophos
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Hexaclorobutadiene
• Hexacanazole
• Iodofenphos
• Iprobenfos
• Iprodione
• Iprovalicarb
• Isazofos
• Isofenphos
• Isophenfos-methyl
• Kresoxim-methyl
• Lambda-Cyhalothrin
• Lindane
• Malaoxon
• Malathion (SP)
• Mefenpyr Diethyl
• Mepronil
• Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methoxychlor
• Metribuzin
• Mevinphos
• Mirex
• Molinate
• Myclobutanil
• Naled
• Naled (Sum)
• Napropamide
• Nitrofen
• Nitrothal Isopropyl
• Nuarimol
• o,p-DDD
• o,p-DDE
• Ofurace
• Oxadixyl
• Oxychlordan
• Oxyfluorfen
• p,p-DDT
• p,p-DDE
• Paraoxon Methyl
• Paraoxon-ethyl
• Parathion Methyl (SP)
• Parathion Methyl (Sum)
• Parathion-ethyl
• Parathion-ethyl (Sum)
• Penconazole
• Pendimethalin
• Pentachloroaniline
• Pentachloroanisole
• Pentachlorobenzene
• Pentachlorobenzonitrile
• Pentachlorophenol
• Permethrin
• Phenthoate
• Phorate
• Phosalone
• Phthalimide
• Piperonyl butoxide
• Pirimiphos-ethyl
• Pirimiphos-methyl
• Procymidone
• Profenofos
• Profluralin
• Prometryn
• Propazine
• Propetamphos
• Propyzamide
• Prothiofos
• Pyrazophos
• Pyridaben
• Pyridaphenthion
• Pyrifenox
• Pyrimethanil
• Pyriproxyfen
• Quinalphos
• Quintozene
• Quintozene (Sum)
• Silthiofam
• Simazine
• Tebuconazole
• Tebufenpyrad
• Tecnazene
• Tefluthrin
• Terbacil
• Terbumeton
• Terbuthylazine
• Terbuthylazine Desethyl
• Terbutryn
• Tetrachlorvinphos
• Tetracanazole
• Tetradifon
• Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
• Tetramethrin
• Tetrasul
• Thiometon
• Tolclofos-methyl
• Trans-Chlordane
• Transfluthrin
• Triadimefon
• Triadimenol
• Tri-allate
• Triamiphos
• Trifluralin
• Uniconazole
• Vinclozolin
• Zeta-cypermethrin

The second group analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:

• 3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
• Abamectin
• Acephate
• Acequinocyl
• Acetamiprid
• Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
• Alcarb (SP)
• Aldicarb (Sum)
• Aldicarb Sulfone
• Aldicarb Sulfoxide
• Ametroctradin
• Aminocarb
• Amitraz (SP)
• Atrizine Desisopropyl
• Azaconazole
• Azadirachtin
• Azamethiphos
• Azimsulfuron
• Azinphos-ethyl
• Azinphos-methyl
• Azocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
• Azoxystrobin
• Ben-Carb-TPN (Sum)
• Bendiocarb
• Bentazone (SP)
• Bentazones-methyl
• Benthiavalicarb
• Bioallethrin
• Bixafen
• Boscalid
• Bromacil
• Bromoxynil (SP)
• Bromuconazole
• BTS 44595
• BTS 44596
• Buprofezin
• Butachlor
• Butocarboxim
• Butoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
• Butralin
• Buturon
• Cadusafos
• Carbaryl
• Carbendazim and Benomyl
• Carbetamide
• Carboxin (SP)
• Carfentazone-ethyl (SP)
• Chloratraniliprole
• chlorbromuron
• Chlorfluazuron
• Chloridazon
• Chloroxuron
• Chlorsulfuron
• Chlorthiophos
• Clethodim (SP)
• Clethodim Sulfoxide
• Clofentezine
• Clomazone
• Clopyralid
• Clothianidine
• Coumaphos
• Crimidine
• Cyanazine
• Cyantraniliprole
• Cyazofamid
• Cyclanilide
• Cycloate
• Cycloxydim (SP)
• Cyenopyrafen
• Cyflufenamid
• Cyflumetofen
• Cyhalofop-butyl
• Cymoxanil
• Cyromazine
• Demeton S
• Demeton-S-methyl
• Demeton-S-Methylsulfone
• Demeton-S-sulfoxide
• Desmedipham
• Desmetryn
• Dialifos
• Dichiofluanid
• Dichlormid
• Dichloroprop
• Dichlorvos
• Diclofop (SP/SQ)
• Diclofop (Sum)
• Diclofo-methyl (SP/SQ)
• Diethofencarb
• Diflubenzuron
• Dimefuron
• Dimethachlor
• Dimethenamid-P
• Dimethoate
• Dimethoate (Sum)
• Dimethomorph
• Dimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
• Dinotefuran
• Diuron
• DNOC
• Dodemorph
• Dodine
• Edifenphos
• Emamectin B1a
• Epoxiconazole
• Ethaboxam
• Ethiofencarb
• Ethiofencarb sulfone
• Ethiofencarb sulfoxide
• Ethiprole
• Ethirimol
• Ethoxyquin (SQ)
• Etofenprox
• Etoxazole
• Famoxadone
• Fenamidone
• Fenamiphos (SP)
• Fenamiphos (Sum)
• Fenamiphos Sulphone
• Fenamiphos Sulphoxide
• Febnuconazole
• Fenbutatin oxide
• Fenhexamid
• Fenobucarb
• Fenoxycarb
• Fenpiclonil
• Fenpropidin (SP)
• Fenpropimorph
• Fenpyrazamine
• Fenpyroximate
• Fensulfothion
• Fensulfothion Oxon
• Fensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
• Fensulfothion Sulfone
• Fenthion (Sum)
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfone
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
• Fentin (SP/SQ)
• Fenuron
• Fipronil (SP)
• Fipronil (Sum)
• Fipronil Sulfide
• Fipronil Sulfone
• Flamprop
• Flazasulfuron
• Flonicamid (SP)
• Flonicamid (Sum)
• Florasulam
• Fluazifop-methyl (SP)
• Fluazifop-P (SP)
• Fluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
• Fluazinam
• Flubendiamide
• Fludioxonil
• Flufenacet
• Flufenacet (Sum)
• Flufenacet ESA
• Flufenacet OA
• Flufenoxuron
• Flumioxazin
• Fluometuron
• Fluoxastrobin
• Flupyradifurone
• Fluquinconazole
• Fluoxypyr (SP)
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Flusilazole
• Flutolanil
• Flutriafol
• Fluxapyroxad
• Foramsulfuron
• Forchlorfenuron
• Formetanate (SP)
• Formothion
• Fosthiazate
• Fuberidazole
• Halosulfuron methyl
• Haloxyfop (Sum)
• Haloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
• Haloxyfop-methyl (SP)
• Haloxyfop-R (SP)
• Hexaflumuron
• Hexazinone
• Hexythiazox
• Imazalil
• Imazapic
• Imazappic
• Imazapyr
• Imidacloprid
• Indaziflam
• Indoxacarb
• Iodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
• Ioxynil (SP)
• Isocarbophos
• Isoprocarb
• Isoprothiolane
• Isoproturon
• Isopyrazam
• Isoxaben
• Isoxathion
• Ivermectin
• Lenacil
• Linuron
• Lufenuron
• Mandipropamid
• Matrine
• MCPA (SP)
• Mecarbam
• Mepanipyrim
• Meptyldinocap
• Mesosulfuron-methyl
• Mesotrione
• Metaflumizone
• Metamitron
• Metazachlor (SP)
• Methiocarb (Sum)
• Methoprotyne
• Methoxyfenozide
• Metobromuron
• Metolachlor and S-Metolachlor
• Metolcarb
• Metoxuron
• Metrafenone
• Metsulfuron-methyl
• Milbemectin SQ (Sum)
• Milbemycin A3 (SQ)
• Milbemycin A4 (SQ)
• Monocrotophos
• Monolinuron
• monuron
• Neburon
• Nicosulfuron
• Nitenpyram
• Norflurazon
• Novaluron
• Omethoate
• Oxadiargyl
• Oxydiazon
• Oxamyl
• Oxasulfuron
• Oxathiapiprolin
• Oxycarboxin
• Paclobutrazol
• Pencycuron
• Penthiopyrad
• Phenmedipham
• Phorate (Sum)
• Phorate Oxon
• Phorate Oxon Sulfone
• Phorate Oxon Sulfoxide
• Phorate Sulfone
• Phorate Sulfoxide
• Phosmet (SP)
• Phosmet (Sum)
• Phosmet oxon
• Phosphamidon
• Phoxim
• Picolinafen
• Picoxystrobin
• Pinoxaden
• Pirimicarb
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
• Prochloraz (SP)
• Prochloraz (Sum)
• Promecarb
• Propachlor
• Propamocarb (SP)
• Propanil
• Propaquizafob
• Propargite
• Propham
• Propiconazole
• Propoxur
• Proquinazid
• Prosulfocarb
• Prosulfuron
• Prothiocaonazole
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
• Pyridalyl
• Pyridate (SP)
• Quinclorac
• Quinoxyfen
• Quizalofop-ethyl (SP)
• Rimsulfuron
• Rotenone
• Saflufenacil (SP)
• Sebuthylazine
• Sethoxydim
• Spinetoram
• Spinosad
• Spirodiclofen
• Spiromesifen
• Spirotetramat (SP)
• Spirotetramat (Sum)
• Spirotetramatenol-glucoside
• Spirotetramat-enol
• Spirotetramat-ketohydroxy
• Spirotetramat-monohydroxy
• Spiroxamine
• Sulcotrione
• Sulfosulfuron
• Sulfotep
• Sulfoxaflor
• Tebufenozide
• Teflubenzuron
• Tepraloxydim (SP)
• Terbufos
• Terbufos (Sum)
• Terbufos Sulfone
• Terbufos Sulfoxide
• TFNA
• TFNG
• Thiabendazole
• Thiacloprid
• Thiamethoxam
• Thiamethoxam (Sum)
• Thidiazuron
• Thifensulfuron-methyl
• Thiobencarb
• Thiocyclam
• Thiodicarb
• Thiofanox
• Thiofanox Sulfone
• Thiofanox Sulfoxide
• Thiophanate-methyl
• Tolfenpyrad
• Tolylfluanid (SP)
• Tolyfluanid (Sum)
• Triasulfuron
• Triazophos
• Triazoxide
• Trichlorfon
• Tricresyl phosphate
• Tricyclazole
• Tridemorph
• Trifloxystrobin
• Triflumizole (SP)
• Triflumizole (Sum)
• Triflumizole FM-6-1
• Triflumuron
• Triforine (SQ)
• Triticonazole
• Vamidothion
• Zoxamide

Mycotoxin & Mold Testing of Coffee Details

The mycotoxins analyzed were via LC-MS-MS using the SOP: PESTMYCO-LC-PREP-001 method. The mold results were analyzed used the Rapid Yeast and Mold (RYM) method. The detection limit for the quantitative analysis was 1 Colony Forming Unit per milliliter (CFU/mL) or 1 CFU/gram (g). In this case, both yeast and mold registered counts of 0 CFU/mL or 0 CFU/g, indicating no presence of these microbes in the sample.

Here are the tests our EPA-certified laboratory performed:

• Aflatoxin B1
• Aflatoxin B2
• Aflatoxin G1
• Aflatoxin G2
• Ochratoxin A
• Total Aflatoxins
• Yeast
• Mold

PFAS “Forever Chemical” Indicator Testing in Sachets

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory uses marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in sachets. Organic fluorine is a marker for PFAS because all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based compounds that contain fluorine.

The specific lab method used to test for total fluorine was the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10 ppm or greater, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the product by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine. This marker testing is likely to show the presence of PFAS.

Organic fluorine can also capture other fluoropolymers, pharmaceuticals, and common hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (commonly known as R-134a) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (commonly known as HFO-1234yf), which are all also considered PFAS. No chemical represented in an organic fluorine test are something you want around your food or personal care products.

Scott Belcher, Ph.D. & Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University says “fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),  are extremely common forms of PFAS that could be contributing to the organic fluorine found in coffee sachets similar to tea bags. Methods used for detecting individual PFAS, such as PFOA or GenX, cannot directly identify PTFE. However, the analysis of total organic fluorine (TOF) does account for all PFAS contaminants in bandages, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”

40 Specific PFAS Analytes in Coffee

We elected to update this investigation by testing for forty specific PFAS analytes at our EPA-certified lab after discovering that coffee drinkers were more likely to have higher levels of PFAS in their blood and serum. We wanted to be able to offer our audience coffee brands that did not contain specific PFAS analytes when tested. Our lab tested for the following 40 PFAS analytes:

• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
• NMeFOSAA
• NEtFOSAA
• 4:2 FTS
• 6:2 FTS
• 8:2 FTS
• NEtFOSA
• NMeFOSA
• NMeFOSE
• NEtFOSE
• 9Cl-PF3ONS
• HFPO-DA (GenX)
• 11Cl-PF3OUdS
• ADONA
• 3:3 FTCA
• 5:3 FTCA
• 7:3 FTCA
• NFDHA
• PFMBA
• PFMPA
• PFEESA

Mamavation’s Raw Data From Our EPA-Certified Laboratory

Mamavation sent two sets of eleven brands of premium coffee to different EPA-certified laboratories looking for traces of contaminants:

• 500+ pesticides (which is more comprehensive than other testing we’ve seen)
• mycotoxins, mold, & yeast
• organic fluorine, an indicator of PFAS “forever chemicals,” for one coffee sachet (similar to a tea sachet).
• UPDATED August 2024: 40 Specific PFAS “forever chemical” analytes for all the ground coffee

All products were sent to the laboratory in original packaging and purchased between January and May 2024. The product was not diluted by brewing the coffee and testing mostly water. The whole beans or ground beans were tested directly by the lab. (Most of the time coffee brands will dilute the coffee by brewing it instead and hand those labs to the public. This is not what Mamavation did.) Three different EPA-certified laboratories were used for testing and all coffees were given the same test.

Products were selected by Mamavation community members representing what they are already buying and using in their homes to feed their families. Some coffee was donated by community members, however most products were purchased by Mamavation directly. We could not purchase and test all the recommended brands because we had a limited budget for this testing.

If you would like to donate to our efforts, you can do so by giving a tax-deductible donation here through Environmental Health Sciences. You can also support our efforts by shopping our affiliate links. Please note that links below are affiliate in nature and any purchases will pay us back for the testing and allow us to do more testing in the future. 

Not Our Favorite Coffee

In this category, we show you what our lab alleges was found. We also added testing of 40 PFAS analytes in August 2024. Reminder: All coffee brands had their coffee beans or ground coffee tested directly by the lab. The product was not brewed and diluted. (Most of the labs you’ll find online offered by brands are of diluted coffee.) This is the category we are not recommending.

• Isagenix Organic Blend Coffee Green Tea + MCTS + Trace Minerals — 0.44 ng/g 6:2FTS (type of PFAS), however, non-detect for 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast.
• Purity Coffee Flow — 2-phenylphenol (SP) 0.015 mg/kg found in the coffee. Alternatively reported as 15 ppb of 2-phenylphenol. This chemical is considered an antimicrobial agent used as a bacteriostat, fungicide, and sanitizer. 2-phenylphenol is a broad-spectrum fungicide used to protect crops in storage from developing mold and mycotoxins. This substance has a low oral mammalian toxicity, is a neurotoxin, and is a recognized irritant. 2-phenylphenol in not allowable in USDA organic standards, however this is not proof that it’s an added chemical because it can also arise as a contaminant in the roasting process. Our lab did NOT find any trace of mycotoxins, mold, yeast, or the 40 PFAS analytes we specifically tested for.
• Purity Coffee Ease Sachets — 187 ppm organic fluorine was found in the teabags, which is indicative of PFAS “forever chemicals.”
• Subtle Earth Organic Coffee Honduran Marcala 100% arabica NonGMO Low Acidity Small Batch Roasted Medium Dark Roast Ground — <MRL ng/g 6:2FTS (type of PFAS below the MRL but still found), however, non-detect for 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast

Best Coffees

Each product in this category was tested for 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast. Most (except one) were also tested for 40 PFAS analytes. Each product was non-detect for each category tested. These are the brands we recommend you purchase from because our lab alleges they do not contain the contaminants we tested for. Reminder: All coffee brands had their coffee beans or ground coffee tested directly by the lab. The product was not brewed and diluted. (Most of the labs you’ll find online offered by brands are of diluted coffee.)

• Bulletproof The Original Sweet & Smooth Clean Coffee Medium Roast Ground Coffee — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 25 % off products.)
• Danger Coffee Feel Dangerously Good Medium Roast Single Origin Whole Bean — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off products.) 
• Death Wish Coffee Co. Ground Organic Espresso Roast — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast
• Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Coffee Grown by Small Farmers Ground Organic Mind, Body & Soul Blend of Medium & Vienna Roasts — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast
• Lifeboost Coffee Dark Roast Ground from Central American Non-GMO Pure Low Acid — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off products till August 1st) 
• Peet’s Coffee Dark Roast Tasting Notes Chocolate Truffle, Smoke, Caramel USDA Organic Ground — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast
• Scout & Cellar Scouting Grounds Roasting Company House Blend –non-detect 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast (Use discount code “welcome15” for 15% off new customers orders)(Please note we haven’t tested this coffee for 40 PFAS analytes yet, but we still wanted to include it. We will update this post as soon as we have results.) 
• The Bean Organic Coffee Company Organic Aloha Bean (Hawaiin Hazelnut) Medium Roast Ground — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)