8 Oct, 2008 - A carcinogenic toxin has been found in coffee beans sold in South Korea, according to sources close to the country's food and drug administration service.
Tests revealed that cancer-causing ochratoxin has been found in domestically sold coffee in the South East Asian country. The average reported level of 0.608 parts per billion could harm someone who drinks more than seven cups of coffee a day, reports have claimed.
Ochratoxin is caused by fungus growing on food, with contamination likely to occur either before or after harvesting and during the packaging and storage process if the levels of oxygen and moisture are sufficient.
The substance – classified as a possible class 2B carcinogen – can cause cancerous growths as well as trigger problems with the respiratory and nervous systems.