Is Bubble Tea Safe to Drink?
Bubble tea, or boba tea, has become quite popular, but how healthy is it really? A recent report from Consumer Reports highlights some potential health risks, particularly related to lead levels found in these sweet beverages.
For those unfamiliar, bubble tea usually consists of brewed black tea, milk or creamer, sweeteners, various flavors, and chewy tapioca pearls (often referred to as boba) at the bottom. Originating from Taiwan, bubble tea shops have now spread widely across the U.S., with many options available, including DIY kits and canned versions.
According to the USDA, tapioca is derived from the cassava root. However, testing by Consumer Reports shows that cassava-based products may contain concerning levels of lead. This raises questions about the safety of enjoying bubble tea regularly.
In a small-scale study, experts examined boba pearls from two well-known chains, Gong Cha and Kung Fu, alongside packaged products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan. The tests focused on heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. While samples of the boba didn’t reveal dangerous levels of arsenic, cadmium, or mercury, lead levels were notably high.
Most samples tested were found to contain over 50% of the threshold considered concerning. Specifically, WuFuYuan’s tapioca products had a 29% lead concern level, while Kung Fu’s milk tea reached 63%, Gong Cha’s pearl milk tea at 70%, and Trader Joe’s instant boba kit came in at 83%. Experts like Dr. James E. Rogers suggest this is a strong reason to limit bubble tea to an occasional treat rather than a daily choice.
Although the concern levels are lower compared to other cassava products—which can have lead levels exceeding 2,000%—no amount of lead consumption is deemed safe. This is particularly important as lead exposure is associated with thousands of cardiovascular-related deaths annually.
In children, exposure to lead can negatively impact brain development, making caution essential. In light of these findings, Consumer Reports states that it is wise to minimize intake of foods and beverages known to contain lead.
Corporate Responses
In response to these findings, Trader Joe’s has ceased selling the instant boba kits. Similarly, Gong Cha emphasized that they are committed to ingredient safety. They conduct their own testing and claim no adverse findings have been reported.
Consumer Reports cautions that their study doesn’t cover the entire bubble tea market, suggesting that consumers should be vigilant about consumption and consider bubble tea more of a treat than a routine beverage.
The overall message is to approach bubble tea with a mix of enjoyment and caution. It’s a popular indulgence, but awareness of its potential risks is essential for health-conscious drinkers.
