Health Risks of Bubble Tea: Is It Safe to Drink?
The rising popularity of bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea, has prompted discussions about its safety. Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, this trendy drink combines tea, milk or creamer, sweeteners, and chewy tapioca pearls made from cassava. Recent findings, however, suggest there may be health risks associated with consuming bubble tea.
Health Risks of Bubble Tea: Lead Contamination Concerns
Consumer Reports recently conducted tests on bubble tea products from notable chains and packaged brands. They focused on boba pearls, a key ingredient in bubble tea, which are derived from cassava, a root vegetable. Their findings revealed that all samples tested contained lead.
Testing Findings
The Consumer Reports tests included samples from popular chains such as Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea, as well as two packaged products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan. Notably, every tested sample contained lead but none exceeded the organization’s level of concern.
- Every bubble tea sample contained lead.
- No samples exceeded the safety levels set by Consumer Reports.
- Lead levels were below concerning thresholds.
While these findings did not indicate immediate health risks from a single serving, there are recommendations for moderation. James E. Rogers, PhD, the director of food safety research at Consumer Reports, stressed that it’s wise to limit consumption of bubble tea due to the potential for cumulative lead exposure over time.
Industry Response
In response to the findings, Trader Joe’s announced the discontinuation of its Instant Boba Kit. WuFuYuan’s parent company, Shanghai ZhouShi Foodstuffs, stated it is enhancing quality control measures. However, Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea did not provide comments after the tests.
Conclusion
Bubble tea remains a popular beverage choice but carries potential health risks due to lead contamination. Consumers should approach it as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple, especially in light of these findings. Making informed choices is essential when enjoying this trendy drink.
