Latest news with #coffee
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Cancer-causing chemical hiding in incredibly common coffee machines should be 'avoided at all costs'
Your at-home coffee machine may be pushing you toward a cancer-related death, doctors say. Experts are warning against using coffee makers made of black plastic over fears the material contains high levels of cancer-causing chemicals and flame retardants. Kitchen utensils, electronics and coffee machines are made of recycled plastic that is melted together from different colored items, which gives it a messy and unappealing color. As a result, manufacturers commonly add a dye known as carbon black to the recycled products to turn them into a consistent black color to look sleeker and uniform. Studies have shown that carbon black contains numerous compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are carcinogenic. As a result, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified carbon black as a carcinogen in 2020, despite limited evidence on its effects on human health. To ensure that their now-black plastic products are immune to electrical fires, they also add in brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) during production A 2024 Chemosphere study has also found that exposure to items containing high levels of BFRs and OPFRs can increase the risk of cancer, cause neurotoxicity and hormone disruption. Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future, said: 'Companies continue to use toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, and that's resulting in unexpected and unnecessary toxic exposures. 'These cancer-causing chemicals shouldn't be used to begin with, but with recycling, they are entering our environment and our homes in more ways than one. The high levels we found are concerning.' Experts believe that if your black plastic coffee maker is damaged or is consistently exposed to boiling water for long periods of time, the cancerous chemicals may start melting during the coffee-making process and slowly trickle down into your coffee cup. Once they enter the body, these chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body's hormonal system. This causes damage to cells and could lead to mutations that may become cancerous. While there is no risk with occasional or rare exposure to carbon black, BFRs and OPFRs, all three of these carcinogens can accumulate in the body and cause damage to vital organs such as the thyroid, breasts, lung and heart. A 2022 Environmental Pollution study found that long-term carbon black exposure might damage lung cell DNA, cause inflammation and pave the way for lung cancer development. A 2017 Duke University study also noted that due to excessive exposure to BFRs and OPFRs through kitchen products such as coffee machines, doctors are now finding these chemicals in the blood, breast milk and urine in nearly all of the Americans they tested. An April 2024 study that tracked over 1,000 Americans over two decades found people with high levels of flame retardants in their blood had a 300 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than people with low levels of the substances in their blood. They also found people were most susceptible to developing thyroid and breast cancer, which are known to be linked to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Similarly, research from Harvard School of Public Health found that 80 percent of women who were undergoing the fertility treatment in vitro fertilization to get pregnant had higher levels of flame retardants in their urine as compared to those who were not. Those with the highest levels of the chemicals in their body had a harder time getting pregnant, staying pregnant and giving birth to a live child than people with lower levels of the chemicals in their body. Apart from damage to American adults, the NIH also warns that flame retardants and their byproducts are especially harmful to children as their organs are still developing and they are more likely to be repeatedly exposed to them by placing plastic items in their mouth or playing with them. 'The health of women and children must be prioritized over the chemical industry profits. We need less poison plastic, more safer chemicals and materials, and an end to plastic ingredient secrecy,' Liu said. To avoid exposure, experts suggest opting for shorter, cooler brews that are BPA-free and made of stainless steel or glass parts. Furthermore, they suggest cleaning your machine and using filtered water to stop mineral and dirt build-up to limit exposure.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Do Wall Street Analysts Like Starbucks Stock?
With a market cap of $105.6 billion, Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) is a global coffee roaster, marketer, and retailer known for its specialty beverages, food items, and iconic brands such as Starbucks Coffee, Teavana, and Seattle's Best Coffee. Operating through its North America, International, and Channel Development segments, the company sells products through retail stores, licensed partners, and consumer packaged goods. Shares of the Seattle, Washington-based company have outperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. SBUX stock has returned 26.3% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 17.4%. However, shares of Starbucks are up 5.1% on a YTD basis, lagging behind SPX's 8.5% gain. More News from Barchart Here's What Happened the Last Time Novo Nordisk Stock Was This Oversold As SoFi Raises 2025 Guidance, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold SOFI Stock Here? Earnings Will Be 'Worse Than Expected' for UnitedHealth. How Should You Play UNH Stock Here? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. Focusing more closely, the coffee chain stock has outpaced the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLY) 21.7% increase over the past 52 weeks and a marginal YTD rise. Despite reporting better-than-expected Q3 2025 revenue of $9.5 billion on Jul. 29, Starbucks shares fell 2.2% the next day due to adjusted EPS of $0.50, missing analyst estimates. Operating margin dropped sharply by 650 basis points to 10.1%, driven by increased labor investments and a costly leadership event in Las Vegas. Additionally, same-store sales declined 2% globally and in North America, marking its sixth straight quarterly decline, raising concerns about sustained demand softness. For the fiscal year ending in September 2025, analysts expect SBUX's EPS to decrease 25.4% year-over-year to $2.47. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat or met the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing on two other occasions. Among the 32 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a 'Moderate Buy.' That's based on 15 'Strong Buy' ratings, two 'Moderate Buys,' 11 'Holds,' two 'Moderate Sells,' and two 'Strong Sells.' On Jun. 26, Barclays raised Starbucks' price target to $108, maintaining an 'Overweight' rating. As of writing, the stock is trading below the mean price target of $93.13. The Street-high price target of $110 implies a potential upside of 21.2% from the current price levels. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Trouble Brewing: Why a Brazilian Tariff May Cause Coffee Prices to Soar
President Trump's proposed 50% tariff on Brazilian goods is likely to lift the price of the preferred coffee for most U.S. consumers. Brazilian arabica beans are the source for roughly 35% to 40% of the coffee consumed in the U.S. and a pending levy on imports starting Aug. 1 would increase the price of coffee in cafes and grocery stores alike.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Barista Training And Coffee Shop Success: The Importance Of Investing In Staff
Sergey Baburov. Founder of HYDE. The global coffee market was valued at $269.27 billion in 2024, and its growth is expected to exceed $369 billion by 2030. In today's competitive coffee industry, a shop's performance hinges on more than premium beans or advanced equipment. Staff expertise plays an equally critical role. Baristas act as frontline representatives who can enhance operational success by delivering consistent experiences and reinforcing brand identity. As the founder of a coffee brand, I've seen firsthand how investing in comprehensive barista training can directly translate to customer loyalty and business growth. My experience has shown me that a well-trained team is not a cost—it's a company's most crucial asset. Baristas, Brand Perception And The Importance Of Training Baristas don't simply prepare beverages. They serve as key touchpoints between coffee shops and their clientele. Their skills can shape customer experiences and perceptions in a market where differentiation is vital. Salesforce's 2022 State of the Connected Customer report, which surveyed a total of roughly 17,000 consumers and business buyers, found that 88% of consumers said "the experience a company provides is as important as its products or services." This further underscores the need for effective training and ongoing staff development. From ensuring drink consistency to fostering welcoming environments, baristas can elevate satisfaction and retention, turning casual visitors into regulars. Their expertise impacts several core areas: • Quality Consistency: Baristas who are trained effectively can consistently provide high-quality drinks. • Customer Engagement: PwC's 2018 consumer study revealed customers will pay up to 16% more for superior services and products, highlighting baristas' role in boosting satisfaction and sales. • Revenue Growth: Trained staff adept at upselling, such as suggesting pastries or premium blends, can increase average check sizes. • Market Edge: Personalized service sets shops apart in saturated markets. Deep barista expertise can be a key differentiator that helps foster a loyal customer base and allows even smaller coffee shops to compete with larger chains. Training could benefit coffee shops from an employee retention standpoint as well. In 2019, Sitel Group found that 37% of employees would consider leaving roles without development opportunities. Learning and development opportunities can also lead to improved employee engagement and help foster "a workforce of motivated, satisfied and productive employees who feel they are in the right place to reach their full potential," per the Society of Human Resource Management. Structuring Effective Barista Training Effective barista training programs should blend technical mastery and interpersonal skills. This means it should cover essentials like espresso extraction (e.g., grind size, dose, timing) and milk steaming (e.g., temperature, texture, latte art) to ensure precision. Educating baristas on alternative methods as well—such as pour-over coffee or cold brew—can expand a shop's offerings. I also recommend incorporating sensory training to sharpen flavor detection (e.g., floral or citrus notes), so they can provide tailored recommendations that can enhance customer satisfaction. Programs should also emphasize active listening to ensure baristas can recall regulars' orders, as well as upselling techniques, like pairing drinks with food. This can help boost revenue. Conflict resolution training is another important element; this equips staff to handle feedback and maintain a positive brand image. For instance, we run role-playing scenarios for handling difficult customer feedback, which empowers the team with confidence and turns a potential negative into a positive, brand-building moment. To make this training truly stick, it must be a continuous cycle, not a one-time event. Beyond a comprehensive initial onboarding for new hires, we find success with quarterly refreshers on core skills and brief, focused pre-shift huddles for daily updates. To keep these sessions engaging, we ditch the slideshows in favor of interactive formats. One of our most effective strategies is a weekly 'taste, calibrate, discuss' session, where the entire team tastes the day's espresso together to align their palates and product descriptions. The Bottom Line Investments in training have the potential to yield quantifiable results, including higher customer satisfaction and retention rates, as skilled baristas help foster trust and comfort; improvements in revenue, thanks to upselling strategies and those improved customer retention rates; and greater efficiency, as optimized workflows can cut wait times and reduce errors. As you can see, barista training represents a strategic investment that can elevate coffee shop performance across quality, revenue and loyalty. In a market that's expected to surpass $300 billion in just a few years, prioritizing human capital and barista training could give coffee shops a competitive advantage. 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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks net earnings plunges 47% in Q3 FY25
Starbucks has reported attributable net earnings of $558.3m for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) - a slump of 47% compared to the same period of fiscal 2024. For the quarter ended 29 June 2025, the coffee giant's consolidated net revenues grew almost 4% year-on-year to $9.45bn. However, it experienced a 2% decline in global comparable store sales, attributed to a 2% drop in comparable transactions. In North America, comparable store sales fell 2%, driven by a 3% decrease in comparable transactions. The US market reflected a similar trend, with a 2% decline in comparable store sales and a 4% drop in comparable transactions. International comparable store sales remained flat, supported by a 1% increase in comparable transactions, while China reported a 2% increase in comparable store sales, driven by a 6% rise in comparable transactions. Starbucks' operating income for the quarter decreased to $918.7m from $1.4bn in the third quarter of the previous year. Operating margin contracted to 13.3% from 21% in the previous year, primarily due to deleverage, investments in the "Back to Starbucks" initiative, which included additional labour costs and the leadership experience 2025 programme and inflationary pressures. In Q3 FY25, Starbucks opened 308 net new stores, bringing its total to 41,097, 53% company-operated and 47% licensed. Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Niccol stated: 'We've fixed a lot and done the hard work on the hard things to build a strong operating foundation, and based on my experience of turnarounds, we are ahead of schedule. "In 2026, we'll unleash a wave of innovation that fuels growth, elevates customer service and ensures everyone experiences the very best of Starbucks. We're building back a better Starbucks experience and a better business.' "Starbucks net earnings plunges 47% in Q3 FY25" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
