What a sad news for coffee aficionados out there.
Plans to abolish the emergency stockpiling of coffee beans has been announced by Switzerland, as they decided that coffee beans are not necessary for human survival.
From The Guardian:
Nestlé, the maker of instant coffee Nescafé, and other importers, roasters and retailers are required by Swiss law to store bags of raw coffee. The country also stockpiles staples such as sugar, rice, edible oils and animal feed.
This system of emergency reserves was established between the first and second world wars as Switzerland prepared for potential shortages in case of war, natural disaster or epidemics.
According to the plan released for public comment, coffee stockpiling obligations will expire by the end of 2022, with companies free to draw down what they have in their warehouses.
“The Federal Office for National Economic Supply has concluded coffee ... is not essential for life,” the government said. “Coffee has almost no calories and subsequently does not contribute, from the physiological perspective, to safeguarding nutrition.”
(Image Credit: Ailura / Wikimedia Commons)
Look what providing safe beverages to Chicago after the fire did for Schlitz.