• Gork@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    At the time of his 2009 interview, Emlen also said that U.S. standards allowed for coffee beans to contain up to 10% “insect filth and insects” — a fact that has been somewhat misrepresented. According to guidance issued by the FDA, an average of 10% or more of green coffee beans were found to be insect-infested, which included beans damaged by insects or mold.

    That isn’t super encouraging that the standard is less than 10% any matter that isn’t coffee, including insect parts.

    • FancyPantsFIRE@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      You’re not going to be encouraged by everything else they allow.

      Though I think (anyone feel free to jump in if I’ve got it wrong) that the coffee limits are not 10% non-coffee matter by weight but rather 10% of beans demonstrating insect damage/infestation/mold. This is not exactly reassuring, but it’s almost certainly far less insects than 10% of your coffee bag’s weight being ground up buggies. You can read about the FDA’s coffee analysis process which is interesting, if somewhat opaque.

      • Theme@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        7 months ago

        I’m going to tell myself that this is an American thing that the EU protects me from. Then I will not look into it any further, so that I can continue to exist. Thank you

        • FancyPantsFIRE@lemm.ee
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          7 months ago

          I’m pretty sure all insect fragments, rodent droppings, and the like all vanish as soon as they cross the EU border in accordance with food safety regulations. /s

          I did start reading into said EU regulations a bit, but I won’t ruin your day.