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Release of lead from coffee and
espresso machines
As part of a current research project, the BfR is investi-
gating the release of metals from various metallic materi-
als and articles with food contact and their transfer to
food or food simulants. Various analytical procedures are
being established and applied during the course of the
project. In 2013, the BfR published its first results on the
release of lead from coffee machines.
For the research project, the BfR used exemplarily eight
brand-new coffee machines designed for household use.
These comprised three portafilter, three coffee pad and
two capsule espresso machines. On several days, five
samples of artificial tap water were taken from each ma-
chine without the use of coffee powder, pads or capsules.
This simulated the release process during intended use.
In accordance with the manufacturers' guidelines, each
machine was also decalcified using the recommended
products and subsequently re-tested. The outcome was
that the artificial tap watersamples from the coffee ma-
chines used in the test showed differences in their re-
lease of lead, for example, and that there was a down-
ward trend in the amount of lead released both during
the sampling process over the course of a day as well
as across the various days of the project. In some cases,
the strong increase in lead release after decalcifying was
particularly conspicuous.
In the EU, there is currently no legal limit for the release of
metals from metallic food contact materials. In its resolu-
tion on “metals and alloys used in food contact materi-
als and articles”, the European Council recommends a
specific release limit for lead based on the permissible
lead content in drinking water of 10 micrograms lead per
kilogram (μg/kg) food. However, for a transitional period
the European Council considers a specific release limit
for lead of up to 40 µg/kg of food to be acceptable.
In the samples tested, the BfR found that two of the por-
tafilter espresso machines exceeded the recommended
level of 10 μg/kg. The release of lead from one of the
two portafilter espresso machines following decalcify-
ing was within the temporarily acceptable limit. The other
portafilter espresso machine exceeded the temporarily
accepted limit following decalcifying, with levels rang-
ing from 2 to 1,600 μg/kg. For all other machines, lead
concentration following decalcifying was below the Euro-
pean Council's recommended limit of 10 μg/kg. The BfR
points out that the data collected from these samples and
measurements are not representative. The findings were
nevertheless reported to the competent food surveillance
authorities.
In the BfR's investigation, the amount of metal released
from the portafilter espresso machines decreased dur-
ing the course of the day from the first sample to the fifth
sample. The results show that, on top of the daily rinsing
process suggested by the manufacturer, rinsing before
consumption of the first cup of espresso or coffee can
reduce exposure to lead.
Dietary intake of lead lies within the range of the healthy
tolerable amount. Additional release from food contact
materials made from metal and alloys into food, should
therefore be avoided as much as possible. For the use of
portafilter espresso machines, the BfR recommends that
the rinsing procedures suggested by the manufacturer
are carried out thoroughly both during daily use and after
decalcifying.
In a research project, the BfR measured release levels
of lead from different types of coffee and espresso
machines clearly exceeding the current release limit
for lead.
Product Safety
