Coffee's global popularity is drawing scrutiny over the pesticides used to grow it. NGO Coffee Watch says coffee is among the world's most pesticide-intensive crops, with many chemicals linked to serious health risks.

Banned in Europe, they are still widely used in producing countries such as Kenya. Kenyan farmer Isaac Njuguna lost his sight because of pesticide exposure at work, and researchers have found hazardous pesticides common on Kenyan farms and residues in some coffee imports. While EU and Kenyan authorities say monitoring is increasing, but critics call the practice a double standard and urge safer alternatives.