'Poison in your coffee' report sounds alarm over widespread pesticide use

A farm worker harvests coffee beans at a plantation in Porciúncula, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, on 17 July 2025. A new report says millions of coffee workers are exposed to hazardous pesticides. AP - Bruna Prado

Coffee production around the world depends heavily on pesticides, leaving millions of farm workers exposed to harmful chemicals while pesticide residues are also found in exported coffee beans, a report published on Monday warned.

The report's authors say the biggest concern is not what ends up in consumers' cups, but the health and environmental damage linked to intensive coffee farming.