Is vanilla from Mexico and the Caribbean dangerous?
A. Coumarin, which was usually found in vanilla from Mexico and the Caribbean countries until recently can be dangerous in large quantities as it has been found to cause liver cancer in laboratory animals. Coumarin has been banned in the United States since the early 1950s. Much of the so-called vanilla extract from Mexico no longer has coumarin in it. It may, however, have red dyes which are banned for use in the United States.
