Does the new DFE Process use Methylene Chloride?

Answer: The new process takes place by dissolving the caffeine with water.  Methylene Chloride is subsequently used to perform a liquid-liquid extraction of the caffeine from the water.  Methylene Chloride is a magical chemical and when used correctly can be controlled like a brain surgeon manipulates his scalpel.

The limited use of Methylene Chloride is credited to the remarkable precision in which our Target Specific Extraction (TSE) technology can separate the caffeine from the extraction water.  As a result we can guarantee that 0 parts per million (0ppm) of Methylene Chloride is left in the roasted coffee.

Can the DFE Process be labeled “Natural”?

Answer: The Canadian Food Inspection agency has a clear definition as to how the word “Nature” and “Natural” may be used when referring to foods and food ingredients. An excerpt from the relevant section reads as follows:

“Foods or ingredients of foods submitted to processes that have significantly altered their original physical, chemical or biological state should not be described as "natural". This includes such changes as the removal of caffeine.”

The USA has a different definition. The following summary was extracted from Wikipedia:

“In the United States, neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has rules for “natural." The FDA explicitly discourages the food industry from using the term.[10] The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits labeling that is false or misleading, but does not give any specifics. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has a standard for organic food.[11]>

Because there is no legal meaning for natural foods, food manufacturers can include ingredients that may not be considered natural by some consumers.

The poultry industry has been criticized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest for labeling chicken meat "all natural" after it has been injected with saline solution up to 25% of its weight, but there is no legal recourse to prevent this labeling.[12]

Although there is no legal U.S. definition for natural foods, there are numerous unofficial or informal definitions, none of which is applied uniformly to foods labeled "natural".”

In conclusion the use of “Natural” will be entirely up to the roaster in his choice of labeling practices. However, we will guarantee that 0 parts per million (0ppm) of Methylene Chloride is left in the roasted coffee.

(More Coming soon...)

We are presently taking all questions via the Contact form. We will compile the questions and place them in this section along with the response. Unlike most FAQ’s we decided to let the public create the FAQ section.)