Popular bubble tea may contain worrying levels of heavy metals, research shows

Bubble tea may be a sweet and delicious treat, but is it that good for you?

Consumer Reports has published the results of a recent investigation into the contents of a bubble tea drink (also known as boba tea), suggesting potentially concerning levels of lead.

Bubble teas typically contain a brewed tea of ​​your choice, milk or cream, sweetener, flavoring, and tapioca pearls, or jelly-textured bubbles known as boba, found at the bottom of the drink.

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Originating from Taiwan, bubble tea shops have exploded across the United States in recent years. Home boba tea kits and canned options are also available.

Tapioca, the main ingredient in boba, is obtained from cassava, which is a root vegetable, according to the USDA.

According to recent testing by Consumer Reports, products containing yucca can sometimes have very high levels of lead.

Experts conducted a small test on boba pearls from two popular chains, Gong Cha and Kung Fu, as well as two packaged products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan, to determine the presence of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

Three samples of each product were tested, and the liquid and boba were analyzed separately.

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According to the researchers, none of the boba samples contained levels of arsenic, cadmium or mercury that could pose a health threat.

Lead levels were higher, although none of the boba tested were above Consumer Reports’ official levels of concern, as reported by James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director of food safety research and testing.

Three of the four boba samples contained more than 50% of the level of concern in one serving. However, the researchers noted that this was not a comprehensive look at the boba tea market.

Lead was detected in both boba pearls and tea. Sana Mujahid, Ph.D., manager of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, said it’s “hard to know” where the lead in the liquid portion comes from.

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WuFuYuan’s Tapioca Pearl product had a lead concern level of 29%, followed by Kung Fu Tea’s Boba Milk Tea at 63%, Gong Cha Pearl Milk Tea at 70%, and Trader Joe’s Instant Boba Kit at 83%.

“[This] is a good reason to treat it as an occasional treat, not an everyday staple,” Rogers said in the report.

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While a level of concern of 83% is much lower than other cassava-based foods containing more than 2,000%, researchers noted that no level of lead exposure is considered safe.

“It is difficult to avoid exposure to some lead. It is found in varying amounts in food, drinking water, soil and in many homes,” Rogers said. “Health risks come from repeated or continuous exposure over time.”

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“But small amounts add up and can have long-term health effects. That’s why it’s wise to minimize exposure to known sources of lead when possible.”

Lead has been shown to have “serious adverse effects” on the developing brain and nervous system, which can be particularly threatening during pregnancy and in young children.

Tom Neltner, national director of Unleaded Kids in Washington, D.C., commented in the report that lead exposure in adults causes about 256,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease each year.

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Generally, bubble tea can be high in sugar and calories in general. Some drinks can contain close to 1,000 calories in one serving, depending on add-ins and toppings.

Consumer Reports recommended consumers limit regular consumption of boba tea, as any product known to contain lead and other heavy metals should be consumed “in moderation.”

Companies respond

Trader Joe’s informed Consumer Reports that the grocery store has discontinued its Instant Boba kit.

Jason Tsou, CEO of WuFuYuan’s parent company, Shanghai ZhouShi Foodstuffs in China, shared in a statement to Consumer Reports: “We take the safety of our products very seriously, and its scope has prompted us to further improve our existing quality control measures.”

In a statement to News Digital, Gong Cha said the bubble tea company takes the quality and integrity of its ingredients “very seriously.”

“[This] “It’s a good reason to treat it as an occasional treat, not an everyday staple.”

“To maintain our high standards, we work with suppliers who undergo rigorous independent testing,” the company wrote. “Our boba pearls, like most boba pearls, are made from tapioca, a root vegetable. Because root crops can naturally absorb traces of lead from soil and water, we monitor closely to ensure levels stay within FDA guidelines.”

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Gong Cha stated that it also conducts its own independent testing of all ingredients, which have not shown “any adverse results.”

News Digital has contacted Kung Fu Tea for comment.