EU Officials Find Toxic Metals in Italian Office Coffee Machines

When Alexander Jöst, an Austrian archivist working at the European Commission in Brussels, took a sip of his usual Italian espresso, he noticed an unusual metallic tang. That small detail set off a chain of events revealing that the high-end coffee machines used by top EU officials were dispensing espresso tainted with dangerously high levels of toxic metals.

The espresso from these machines contained 175 times the normal amount of nickel and 15% more lead than safe drinking limits allow — enough to raise serious health concerns.

What Went Wrong With the Coffee Machines?

In January 2024, the European Commission installed around 20 new Italian-made fully automatic coffee machines, including 17 units of the brand Carimali (translated here as “” in the original), in offices throughout its Brussels headquarters. These machines, which cost roughly €120,000 in total, are designed for ease of use: with a single touch, they grind beans, froth milk, brew espresso, and eject used grounds. One of these machines was even placed in the personal office of then-European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

But when staff began noticing a strange metallic taste in their coffee, concerns grew. Alexander Jöst, suspicious of the off-flavor, paid €70 out of pocket to send samples of his coffee back to Austria for independent lab testing. The results were alarming: his espresso had nickel levels 175 times above typical safety thresholds, along with 15% higher lead content than deemed acceptable for drinking water.

How Did Heavy Metals Get Into the Coffee?

Following Jöst’s findings, the European Commission’s internal services commissioned third-party testing by SGS, a global quality verification firm. SGS confirmed part of Jöst’s results: out of approximately 20 Carimali machines tested, 17 were producing espresso with unsafe levels of both nickel and lead.

The investigation traced the source of the contamination to the water reservoirs inside the machines, where elevated levels of both metals were found. However, officials ruled out problems with the building’s water supply or pipes, confirming that the mains water quality met all regulatory standards.

The manufacturer, Italy’s Carimali, disputed the findings, claiming their machines meet all international safety standards. In a statement, the company’s head of marketing and communications, Luca Dusi, insisted, “Our products comply with all international standards.”

Why Are These Metals Dangerous?

Nickel and lead are both recognized toxic heavy metals. Exposure to elevated levels can have serious health implications, especially with repeated consumption over time. According to the medical briefing issued by the Commission to employees, nickel can typically be cleared from the body within 7 to 40 days depending on the level and duration of exposure, but effects vary individually. People with allergies or sensitivities may experience more severe reactions, commonly including gastrointestinal disturbances.

While lead is less likely to accumulate quickly from occasional coffee consumption, any detectable excess raises red flags, particularly given the regular, concentrated intake associated with daily espresso.

What Happened Next?

In response to the findings, the European Commission has since taken the affected coffee machines out of service. The incident has also reignited criticism of the institution’s spending and workplace practices, with detractors pointing to the luxury expenditure — high-spec coffee machines for top officials — amid broader concerns over institutional transparency and accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee machines were found to have high heavy metal levels?

The coffee machines in question were high-end Italian fully automatic models, primarily the Carimali brand, installed in the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. Out of approximately 20 machines, 17 were found to produce espresso with unsafe nickel and lead levels.

How much nickel was in the coffee?

The tested espresso contained nickel at levels 175 times higher than normal safe thresholds. Lead was also present at 15% above acceptable drinking water limits.

What caused the contamination?

The source of the heavy metals was traced to the internal water reservoirs of the coffee machines. The building’s water supply itself was confirmed to be clean and within regulation standards, and the connecting pipes were ruled out as the cause.

Are these machines still in use?

No. Following the discovery and confirmation of the elevated metal levels, the European Commission has taken all affected coffee machines out of service.

Could drinking this coffee make someone seriously ill?

The medical note from the Commission stated that while nickel can be cleared from the body within 7–40 days depending on exposure, the elevated levels found could pose risks, especially for sensitive individuals, potentially causing gastrointestinal issues. Lead exposure, even at low levels, remains a health concern.

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