Does Coffee contains cockroaches? -Sazia
Sazia Jindal/ August 10,2025
Coffee, originated in 9th century is really loved by people in many parts of the world today. From casual sippers to caffeine aficionado, it is very popular.
There are people who enjoy coffee on daily basis. Drinking coffee for many has become a daily ritual. People might feel really distraught to know the fact that coffee actually contains cockroaches and FDA, Food and Drug Administration has allowed this but wait here’s a catch, it’s not in a way general humans think but different.
Coffee contains a very small amount of insects which are generally not visible from human eye and they are harmless to humans. They are in such a small quantity that humans cannot even taste them.
Basically, in storage warehouses the unprocessed coffee is stored in sacks and cockroaches sneak inside because such open-air places attract insects like bettles, cockroaches,etc. it is almost impossible to fully eliminate these insects. Also after this coffee gets roasted,and brewed. Roasting often kills all the germs, bacteria or pathogens. Also the fragments are too small to harm human health. That’s why FDA has allowed 10% of cockroaches in coffee.
FDA said, “Coffee Beans, Green — Insect filth and insects (MPM-V1). Average 10% or more by count are insect infested or insect damaged.” But suddenly a question arises that does it mean coffee is non-vegetarian? The answer is a YES and I know this might be really excruciating for all vegetarians.
But that’s the truth. If it bothers then coffee enthusiasts can buy coffee beans from trusted roasters and can grind it themselves afterwards but agin even this can’t guarantee zero contamination as the cockroach fragments are so small for naked eye to see.
Overall, listening to this might not sound good but knowing the reality is important. Coffee would never contain more than 10% of cockroaches. Drinking coffee might not sound hygienic now but it’s not unsafe. We need to accept the fact, especially in unavoidable circumstances and be aware.
Note: The views expressed by the writer are personal. Sazia Jindal is a student of B.A-l, Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala
