Some portafilter espresso machines release too much lead

In 2013, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment tested eight brand-new coffee machines for domestic use as part of a research project examining the release of metals from metallic materials and food contact materials and their transfer into food. These machines consisted of three portafilter espresso machines, three coffee pod machines and two coffee capsule machines.

Excessive lead release was detected in portafilter espresso machines.

There were substantial differences in lead release measured for the different types of coffee and espresso machines. One of the portafilter machines tested released large amounts of lead compared to the coffee pod and capsule machines tested, especially after descaling, while others released hardly any lead.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment does not intend to publish product and manufacturer names. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment investigations were carried out as part of a research project. Due to the small number of samples, the data is not representative. Furthermore, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is not involved in the control of food and consumer goods. This is the responsibility of the monitoring authorities of the federal states (‘Laender’), and the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has informed the monitoring authorities of the test results accordingly.

After descaling, portafilter espresso machines can release large amounts of lead. To reduce lead absorption, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends that consumers rinse the machines thoroughly after descaling. The rinsing steps specified by the manufacturer should be repeated. In cases of daily use, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment additionally recommends, as also prescribed by the manufacturers, always carrying out a rinsing step (preparation with water only) before the actual preparation of espresso or coffee.

It is possible that the acidic descaling products release lead from metal components.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment does not know where the lead in the samples comes from. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment assumes that components within the machines and/or any soldered joints may contribute to the release of lead.

In the EU, there is no legally defined limit for the release of metals from metallic food contact materials. However, the Council of Europe has recommended a release limit for lead that is based on the permissible lead content in drinking water. The Council of Europe resolution on metals and alloys for food contact sets a specific release limit of 10 micrograms (µgshort formicrogram) per kilogram (kgshort forkilogram) of food for the release of lead into food. Further information on the resolution can be found on the Council of Europe website: External Link:https://www.edqm.eu/en/metals-and-alloys-used-in-food-contact-materials-and-articles.

In 2007 and 2011, the Stuttgart Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office carried out research into the release of lead from fully automatic coffee and espresso machines. In 2007, three out of 17 machines analysed showed increased lead release. An improvement in quality was observed in the second investigation period, in which no lead release was detected (limit of determination for lead at 0.005 milligrams (mgshort formilligram) per litre (l) of test water).

In 2021, the German consumer organisation Stiftung Warentest examined portafilter machines for the release of chemical elements (magazine "test", December 2021). In the test, two out of seven machines released increased amounts of lead.