Often unknown ingredients in bubble tea

Unknown composition of bubble tea

06/21/2012

Bubble Tea has long since become a trend drink in Germany. But the brightly colored fattening is in consumer advocates in the criticism. Given the high sugar content, the drink contains unknown, undeclared ingredients that could potentially be harmful to your health.

Composition of Bubble Tea does not have to be declared
The cult drink from Asia is also very popular in Germany, especially among children and teenagers. But especially for the youngest Bubble Tea could be harmful to health. As „Focus Online“ Recently, the beverage was suspected to contain toxic plasticizers. Since the brightly colored drinking pleasure as so-called „loose ware“ is valid, its exact composition does not have to be declared. Most sellers do not know what they are selling to their customers. Well-known are the ingredients tea, syrup, milk, yoghurt and colored beads. People with hypersensitivity or allergies to dyes and preservatives, flavors or acidulants should be cautious about consuming bubble tea as these may contain the same substances in the beverage but are not identified. In addition, there is the suspicion that health-damaging plasticizers are among them. According to Angela Clausen of the consumer center NRW, the cups and syrup bottles from Asia could contain so-called phthalates, which could influence the human hormone balance.

Infants may choke on pearls in Bubble Tea
Parents should also note that often no information is given about the caffeine content. Among other things, children can already have health problems with small amounts of bladder tea. The colorful, about peas large pearls that are contained in the drink, could also be a choking hazard, warns the professional association of paediatricians. The beads are drawn in with a thick straw from either a fruit drink or ice cream mix. Some balls are filled with fruity syrup and burst only when chewing. Toddlers may inadvertently ingest the beads altogether. Then, a severe cough usually occurs, which must be treated immediately because the bullets may become lodged. If they reach the lungs via the trachea, pneumonia and lung collapse can occur. Clausen explained to him „Focus Online“, that it urgently requires warnings for children under the age of five.

The trend drink contains three times as many calories as Coca Cola and is thus clearly in the category of fattening. Consumers not only harm their figure with the enjoyment of bubble tea, but also their purse, because the new trend is not cheap. A cup costs up to five euros.

Bubble Tea now also in the fast food restaurant
The fact that Bubble Tea is not only a fad, but also in the future of the teen diets is indispensable, also shows the entry of fast-food giant McDonald's in the tea business. Matthias Becker, Marketing Director McDonald's Germany, spoke of „Trend drink of the year. "The group wants to promote its McCafé with Bubble Tea.Special Bubble Tea Bars, which exist for about two years in German cities, you can „Bubble Tea“ in the future also with voucher for the reduced price of 1.99 euro with McDonald's received.

Reactions to the launch of the trendy drink at McDonald's are mixed. Some voices complain that the lid in the fast food chain is only put on and not glued. In addition, McDonald's's lower-calorie drink tastes less fragrant than Bubble Tea Bars. (Ag)

Read about:
Consumer advocates warn against bubble tea
Health Warning Bubble Tea
Bubble Tea: Modern fattening
Lung collapse due to bubble teas
Harmful Bladder Tea

Image: Claudia Hautumm