Hidden insect-derived colorants and pests may be lurking in your coffee

A woman named Tay shared on TikTok that doctors initially suspected Crohn's disease, gluten intolerance or blood-pressure issues, but ultimately identified an allergy to cochineal, a red dye produced from crushed scale insects that live on cacti. The ingredient appears on ingredient lists as carmine, crimson lake or Natural Red 4 and is common in items ranging from yogurt to lipstick. While cochineal is intentionally added for color, coffee can also contain accidental insect fragments because the industry processes large volumes of beans, and the FDA allows up to 10% of green coffee to be infested or damaged by insects.

The most frequently cited pests are the coffee berry borer beetle, the coffee bean weevil and the warehouse beetle; cockroaches are explicitly prohibited. The agency also tolerates mold, fungus, and non-food debris such as stones or paper in coffee. Consumers can reduce exposure by purchasing whole beans and grinding them themselves to inspect for contaminants.