Brazil's Coffee Industry Raises Alarm Over Fake Coffee – CoffeeTalk

Brazilian coffee industry is concerned about the rise in coffee prices, which are leading some companies to expand offerings of fake coffee in the local market. Brazil’s coffee roasters association, ABIC, has identified powdered products marketed as coffee but mostly not made with the bean. These powders could contain coffee waste, vegetable pulp, and artificial coffee flavoring. Coffee prices in Brazil have risen more than 50% in the last three months, with global prices hitting all-time highs due to limited supplies following weather woes in producing countries. ABIC has reached out to Brazilian health agencies and the Agriculture Ministry to ask if such products are being sold legally. One such product is called Oficial do Brasil, which is similar to roast and ground brands sold locally, displaying a picture of a hot cup of coffee. The description on the package reads, “traditional coffee flavor beverage.” In smaller letters lower down, it says, “artificial coffee flavor.” Master Blends, the company that produces Oficial do Brasil, said it never said it was coffee and that the product is government-approved.

Currently, such products sell in Brazil for around one-third of the price of regular coffee. The Brazilian food and drug regulator, Anvisa, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the product’s approval status.

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