Archive · 26 Dec 2025
FDA Approves Tiny Cockroach Traces in Coffee
The FDA says it's normal and safe for your coffee to have tiny traces of cockroaches.
They explain that when coffee is stored in big warehouses, some insects like cockroaches might get mixed in.
The FDA allows up to 10% of raw coffee beans to be insect-damaged because it's almost impossible to remove every single one.
This has been known since the 1980s when some people had allergic reactions to pre-ground coffee.
In China, there's even a special coffee made with ground cockroach powder and mealworms, which some believe can boost your immune system.
So, don't worry if your coffee has a few tiny insect parts, it's perfectly safe to drink.
FDA allows up to 10% of raw coffee beans to be insect-infested or damaged
Cockroaches are naturally attracted to the strong smell of coffee
Insect contamination is unavoidable in large-scale food production
Whole coffee beans are less likely to have insects than pre-ground coffee
A Beijing insect museum offers coffee made with ground cockroach powder and mealworms
- Who
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- What
- FDA allows up to 10% of raw coffee beans to be insect-infested or damaged
- When
- The issue was first noticed in the 1980s
- Where
- United States, China (Beijing insect museum)
- Why
- Insect contamination is unavoidable in large-scale food production and cockroaches are attracted to the smell of coffee
- FDA Standard for Coffee Beans
- Up to 10% can be insect-infested or damaged
- FDA Standard for Cocoa Beans
- Less than 4% mouldy, less than 4% insect-damaged, less than 6% either
- Cockroach Attraction
- Naturally attracted to the strong smell of coffee
- Health Impact
- Considered safe and do not affect health
- Alternative Coffee
- Beijing insect museum offers coffee with ground cockroach powder and mealworms