The ‘dirty’ coffee from Vietnam contains manganese dioxide

PHOTO: Dak Nong Police

Further to yesterday’s revelation about fake coffee being manufactured and sold from a make-shift factory in Vietnam, this analysis from a Chemist at the Vietnam National University.

Associate Professor Tran Hong Con, a chemistry expert from the Vietnam National University, says the black substance found in D batteries is a toxic chemical called manganese dioxide.

Manganese dioxide is a high oxidant compound, and as little as 0.5 milligrams of it mixed in a litre of water is enough to cause manganese poisoning in humans, the professor told Tuoi Tre News.

Manganese poisoning, also known as manganism, can cause brain damage after prolonged exposure. It was a condition common among manganese ore miners in the 19th century. The poisoning is irreversible and can lead to hallucinations and death.

Yesterday’s report revealed that a Vietnamese family-run coffee manufacturer based in Dak Nong province had been caught producing “dirty” coffee from harmful materials like used batteries, dirt and rock dust.

According to authorities, 12 tons of the “dirty'”coffee were seized during the raid.

Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia are the world’s largest coffee producers. Vietnam has been fast catching up with a reported 2.6 million people in the country employed by coffee manufacturers.