Nonprofit Group Wins Court Battle to Warn California Residents and Visitors of Acrylamide in their Coffee

In late March, a Los Angeles judge ruled that coffee companies in the state must put a cancer warning on coffee products to warn of chemicals. One of these chemicals is known as acrylamide, a byproduct of roasting coffee beans.

Back in 1990, the state of California designated acrylamide as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. In 2011, that listing was expanded to include reproductive toxicity. Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. 

Acrylamide is not just found in coffee products. According to the National Cancer Institute, acrylamide is also found in some foods, including French fries and potato chips; crackers, bread and cookies; breakfast cereals; canned black olives; and prune juice. The chemical is also used in manufacturing to make substances called polyacrylamide and acrylamide copolymers. These are used in many industrial processes, such as the production of paper, dyes and plastics, and in the treatment of drinking water and wastewater, including sewage. They are also found in consumer products, such as some caulking products, food packaging and various adhesives.

“While news of the judge’s ruling about warning labels for coffee took many California residents by surprise, exposure to elevated levels of acrylamide is a potential concern from various foods and beverages, tobacco smoke and occupational exposures,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, along with our parent company EMSL Analytical, Inc., we have experience testing for acrylamide and many other chemicals of concern in foods, beverages, packaging and work environments.”

To learn more about chemical testing or other food, beverage, environmental and industrial hygiene testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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