Über unsCoffee Pad Machines Given a Thumbs Up for Containing No Lead and Nickel
Ein Bericht aus unserem Laboralltag
Iris Eckstein
Investigations on fully automated coffee machines conducted in the years 2007 and 2011 were once again carried out by CVUA Stuttgart this year in February, 2014. Nine different models of coffee pad machines from four manufacturers were analyzed, on the basis of which a somewhat broader database was able to be developed.
Within the realm of a research project carried out by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), a total of eight different types of coffee machines including three pad machines were analyzed for the release of metals. The pad machines tested by the BfR showed no abnormalities. However, espresso machines containing filters were found to have a greater degree of lead solubility, especially after being delimed (see Policy Brief Nr. 003/2014 of the BfR from 14.01.2014 under http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/freisetzung-von-blei-aus-kaffee-und-espressomaschinen.pdf).
Conclusion
Coffee from the tested machines contained neither lead nor nickel. Other elements (chrome, copper, manganese and zinc) were also inconspicuous. Nevertheless, we recommend filling the machines with fresh water and rinsing out the machines daily.
A Look Back
Analyses conducted by CVUA Stuttgart in 2007 revealed the release of nickel in amounts significantly over 0.1 mg/l in seven out of 17 fully-automated coffee/espresso machines. Moreover, there was a high release of lead in the coffee and/or in the heated steam at the first usage and after the deliming of three out of 17 machines. In the CVUA's second series of tests in 2011 no lead or nickel was found released into the test water. The reports on the test series have been published on the CVUA Stuttgart internet site (in German).
CVUA Stuttgart ermittelt erhöhte Blei- und Nickelabgabe durch diverse Kaffee- und Espressovollautomaten
Aktuelle Untersuchungen belegen: die Blei- und Nickelabgabe von Kaffee- und Espressovollautomaten wurde gesenkt
Info Box
Test water must be in accordance with DIN 10531 (2011-06)
Water that is used in investigations must comprise a specific constitution (amount of salt and pH/value). Since tap water differs by region, comparable test results can only be made when the water used in all tests has the same composition.
Legal Situation
In the standard DIN 10531 (2011-06) there are specific criteria established for hot drink machines for the release of lead (0.05 mg/l) and nickel (0.1 mg/l) into test water. In September 2013 the Council of Europe published updated, toxicologically founded resolutions and technical guidelines for metals and alloys that are used in food contact materials. In contrast to previous criteria, these guidelines put stricter measures in place for food contact materials made of metal, e.g. 0.01 mg/kg of lead can be released into food. The opinion of the Council of Europe notwithstanding, during a transition period of three years a level of 0.04 mg/kg will be tolerated. For nickel, a value of 0.14 mg/kg and, temporarily, of 0.7 mg/kg food was established. The recommended guidelines of the Council of Europe, as with the guidelines of the DIN 10531 (2011-06), are not legally binding, but rather a measure for maintaining good manufacturing practice and technical quality.
The DIN 10531 (2011-06) recommended amount of 0.05 mg/kg for lead is five times higher than the Council of Europe's preferred 0.01 mg/kg, after the expiry of the 3-year transition period.
Current Investigations at CVUA Stuttgart
At the beginning of 2014 nine coffee pad machines from four manufacturers were investigated for the release of elements. The samples were selected randomly and CVUA Stuttgart had no prior information as to which models of coffee pad machines had already been tested by the BfR.
|
Model |
Manufacturer |
|
LONO Kaffeepadmaschine |
WMF Consumer Elektrik GmbH |
|
Petra Electric Kaffee-Pad-Automat |
Petra Deutschland GmbH |
|
Petra Electric * KaffeePadAutomat |
Petra Deutschland GmbH |
|
Senseo original |
Philips Consumer Lifestyle BV |
|
Senseo Viva Café |
Philips Consumer Lifestyle BV |
|
Senseo Twist |
Philips Consumer Lifestyle BV |
Senseo Latte duo |
Philips Consumer Lifestyle BV |
|
Senseo Twist |
Philips Consumer Lifestyle BV |
|
Tassimo |
Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH Carl-Wery-Str. 34 |
The machines were put into operation in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturers. The analyses were conducted following the guidelines specified under Norm DIN 10531 (2011-06) for a migration test with test water of a specific composition. A sample of test water was analyzed 3 times: after the first run, after a rest period of 24 hours (with and without first rinsing), and after a deliming in accordance with manufacturing instructions. In addition, test water from models with a hot water outlet or steam nozzle for the foaming of milk was also taken from these positions for analysis. The limit of quantitation for the testing procedure used for test water was 0.001 mg/l for lead and 0.005 mg/l for nickel.
Results of Current Investigations at CVUA Stuttgart
There was neither nickel nor lead solubility detected directly after the first run of the machines and after the deliming. There was also no solubility of elements detected after the rest period, when the machine was rinsed with test water beforehand, without a coffee pad. In all cases, when the machines were tested without rinsing beforehand and after a rest period of 24 hours trace amounts of nickel were found in the approximate amount of 0.01 mg/l, about 1/10 that of the recommended value. Likewise, trace amounts of other metals were found (chrome, copper, manganese and zinc), also well under the recommended value. The manufacturers recommend in the instruction manuals that, after a period of rest, the water should be replaced. For most of the models, it is also recommended that, if the machine is not in use for a longer period of time, it should be rinsed before using it again. Some even suggest, as a matter of maintenance, not only filling the machine with fresh water daily, but also rinsing the machine every day.
Photo Credits
Samples, CVUA Stuttgart.