Formaldehyde in Coffee

Abstract

Formaldehyde is the simplest and one of the most abundant aldehydes found in foods and beverages. Formaldehyde is also an important air pollutant in a variety of outdoor and indoor atmospheres because it is widely used in many manufacturing processes. On the other hand, toxicity of formaldehyde has begun to receive much attention recently. Exposure to formaldehyde has reportedly caused dermatitis and pulmonary irritation in workers and has also proved to be associated with hepatotoxicity in many species, including humans. Moreover, recent evidence based on animal studies has implicated formaldehyde as a potential carcinogen. Because humans may be exposed to formaldehyde either through inhala tion of polluted air or through ingestion of foods, its role as a potential health hazard should be considered and further research on determination of formaldehyde in foods and beverages such as coffee is in order.