Carcinogen found in coffee beans: report

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 2-4; ADDS with new information in para 5, 7)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- A cancer-causing toxin has been found in coffee beans sold on the local market, a report by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said Wednesday.

The findings showed that of the 210 coffee bean samples examined by laboratories,
seven had ochratoxin levels of 1.3-4.8 parts per billion (ppb). The levels are
below those set by the EU at 5 ppb, but some may exceed the safety ceiling of 4
ppb enforced in Italy.
Ochratoxin is a toxin caused by fungus growth on various foods. Contamination can
occur before or after harvesting and during the packaging and storage processes
if there is sufficient oxygen, heat and moisture.
It is categorized as a "possible class 2B" carcinogen by the International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization, and can cause
problems with the nervous and respiratory systems as well as trigger cancerous
growth.
Experts said that judging by the amount discovered, domestically sold coffee
products could have an average of 0.608 ppb of ochratoxin. At this amount a
person who drinks more than seven cups of contaminated coffee a day may be at
risk.
The KFDA also said that the tests conducted on 66 coffee products in 2006 showed
57.6 percent, or 38 samples, showed signs of the toxic chemical, with all 14
coffee mixes examined showing minute traces.
The health agency, meanwhile, said that although the country has no criteria for
permissible ochratoxin levels in drinks like the EU, it is in the process of
setting up regulations within the month.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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