Molds and Mycotoxins in Coffee

Jan 27, 2020by "John H."

Everybody wants to live a healthy lifestyle, and for lots of people, coffee is a part of that lifestyle. For a while, it seems, coffee had a bad rap. "It'll stunt your growth," they said. "It's bad for your heart, your nerves, your stomach!" Turns out those were stories started by a guy who wanted to sell more of his coffee alternative.  Now, we're not endorsing serving coffee to kids, but for adults, the consensus is that coffee isn't just not bad for you, but it might actually be good for you. (Note: FRC recommends always following the advice of your healthcare professional!)

Pour over coffee in a Chemex

What about Mold and Mycotoxins?

First, lets start with "what is a mycotoxin?". 


Basically, it's a toxic substance produced by a fungus, and these toxins are found pretty much everywhere. Most cereals, spices, nuts, fresh and dried fruits, juices and wines, meats, cocoa and chocolate, and yes, coffee beans, contain mold and mycotoxins. 


Does this mean your coffee is toxic? Of course not! In testing, scientists found that even if you drank the "dirtiest" coffee, you would have to consume gallons a day - every day - to even come close to risking toxic levels.

Brewed coffee in a Chemex

Know Your Brews

At Fresh Roasted Coffee, we  take great care in sourcing the highest-quality coffee beans from around the world. Our suppliers, whether they are farmers, co-ops, or exporters, share our goal: to offer only the best coffees to our customers. 

In order to achieve this goal, we contract with merchants that follow all the best practices for reducing the possibility of contamination by mold and mycotoxins. However, it is important to note that it's impossible to completely eliminate mold and mycotoxins from coffee. Any coffee brand or retailer that is claiming otherwise, is not being honest or transparent.

Coffee pouring from a Chemex into a Fresh Roasted Coffee Mug

We love coffee. We love people who love coffee. And we want you to know that we have the same concerns that you do. 


We work every day to ensure that our coffee is not only the most delicious coffee available, but also the safest. In order to achieve that goal, we have partnered with a leading microbiology and food safety lab to test some of our best-selling coffees for a full range of mold and mycotoxins. 


Below you will find the complete list of coffees that have been tested for mold and mycotoxins and passed.




Our certified laboratory was not able to detect any trace levels of mold, Aflatoxin or Ochratoxcin in any of these sampled coffees.

So Coffee Is Ok To Consume?

If you are taking the time to "know your brew" and understand the truth around mold and mycotoxins - then coffee is absolutely safe to consume. Many recent studies have found that it may even be beneficial to your health. 


While we don't recommend drinking 25 cups a day (even though a recent study said it's OKAY to do so), your daily dose won't hurt you. Quite the opposite!


Drinking moderate amounts of coffee is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and neurological diseases. It can encourage your body to burn fat and improve brain function.


If you still have questions or concerns about mold and mycotoxins in coffee, please feel free to email us at info@freshroastedcoffee.com. 

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