No carcinogen found in drip bag coffee: Taiwan FDA

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-09-21
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

A local outspoken nephrologist has recently sparked controversy over the alleged carcinogenic risk associated with drip bag coffee products. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that the filter bags found on the shelves in Taiwan are made of nonwoven fabric, not the alleged paper reinforced by a wet-strength agent, which is believed to contribute to cancer risk.

Dr. Chiang Shou-shan, a former attending physician at Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, warned last Friday that the filter bag is usually made of paper which contains a cancer-causing carcinogen “wet-strength agent” intended for use in maintaining viability while hot water is poured into the small bag of roasted ground coffee.

“Wet-strength agents such as Polyamide Epichlorohydrin are a type of insecticide and a type of Alkylating agent. They are highly carcinogenic and can cause oral and stomach cancer if you consume them with foods or drinks,” Chiang said in his Facebook post.     [FULL  STORY]