Is Coffee Carcinogenic?
Not by IARC's 2016 evaluation. In June 2016 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking coffee as not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans, its Group 3, after a large body of evidence led it to re-evaluate coffee, which it had classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) in 1991. In the same evaluation, IARC classified drinking very hot beverages as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), based on limited evidence from studies showing positive associations between cancer of the esophagus and drinking very hot beverages.
The ingredient that raises questions is acrylamide. The FDA says high temperature cooking such as frying, roasting or baking is most likely to form acrylamide, and that it is found mainly in foods made from plants, such as potato products, grain products or coffee. The National Cancer Institute lists coffee among the major food sources of acrylamide, and says a large number of epidemiologic studies in humans have found no consistent evidence that dietary acrylamide exposure is associated with the risk of any type of cancer.
California addressed coffee in its Proposition 65 rules. OEHHA says section 25704, effective October 1, 2019, states that exposures to chemicals in coffee listed on or before March 15, 2019 as known to cause cancer, that are created by and inherent in roasting coffee beans or brewing coffee, do not pose a significant risk of cancer.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceIn June 2016 IARC classified drinking coffee as not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3), re-evaluating coffee drinking it had classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) in 1991. IARC, World Health Organization ↗
- Government sourceIARC classified drinking very hot beverages as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), based on limited evidence of positive associations with cancer of the esophagus. IARC, World Health Organization ↗
- Regulatory filingCalifornia's section 25704, effective October 1, 2019, states that exposures to listed chemicals in coffee created by and inherent in roasting beans or brewing coffee do not pose a significant risk of cancer. California OEHHA, via web.archive.org ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA says high temperature cooking such as frying, roasting or baking is most likely to form acrylamide, which is found mainly in plant foods such as potato products, grain products or coffee. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe National Cancer Institute lists coffee among the major food sources of acrylamide, along with French fries, potato chips, crackers, bread, cookies and breakfast cereals. National Cancer Institute ↗
- Government sourceThe National Cancer Institute says a large number of epidemiologic studies in humans have found no consistent evidence that dietary acrylamide exposure is associated with the risk of any type of cancer. National Cancer Institute ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.