Some forms of a hugely popular drink loved by by 94 percent of young Americans may contain worrying amounts of lead, a new report has revealed.
Non-profit watchdog Consumer Reports (CR) looked at four different brands of bubble tea to look at safety hazards such as lead, a toxic metal thought to lead to developmental delays and autism.
The colorful beverage, also known as boba tea, is a sweet, flavored tea-based drink from Asia that has become increasingly popular in the us.
It originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, where tea shops began adding CHEWY tapioca ‘pearls’ to milk tea.
However, concern has mounted around the tapioca balls, as they are made from cassava, a root vegetable that can absorb heavy metals such as lead from the soil.
The CR investigation examined tapioca pearls from two major tea chains found in across America – Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea – as well as packaged boba products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan.
Each sample was tested for four heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Variations of a hugely popular tea drink drunk by 94 percent of young Americans has found to contain worrying amounts of lead, a new report has revealed (stock image)
Three out of four samples contained more than 50 percent of CR’s safety threshold for lead in a single serving.
CR used California’s Proposition 65 limit for lead (0.5 micrograms per day) to decide when to be concerned. There aren’t many federal rules for lead in food, and because any amount of lead can be harmful, CR uses this strict limit as the safest standard available.
On the flip side, all of the boba samples tested negative for dangerous levels of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
CR’s analysis found that in some cases, the liquid portion of bubble tea contained more lead than the tapioca pearls themselves.
Researchers suggested the contamination might stem from the water, sweeteners, or even brewing equipment used in certain shops.
A growing body of research has linked prolonged exposure to lead with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and cardiovascular dysfunction, as it builds up in vital organs and damages cells and neurons.
The FDA notes that even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses, and there is no ‘safe’ level.
The agency noted: ‘Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood.
‘Children and babies are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller body size, metabolism, and rapid growth.’
At low levels, health experts children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ and behavior changes.
At higher levels of lead exposure, symptoms of lead poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures and coma.
CR researchers examined tapioca pearls from two major tea chains – Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea – as well as packaged boba products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan. Each sample was tested for four heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury
Additionally, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues.
Lead is poisonous when inhaled, as well as through contact with the skin and ingestion.
Dr Sana Mujahid, CR’s manager of food safety research and testing who was involved in the new study, said lead exposure in regards to bubble tea ‘can vary depending on where and how the drink is made.’
She said it was difficult to tell where the lead in the liquid portion of the bubble teas came from and it could have been from the water or the equipment used at a particular shop.
Both Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea declined to comment to CR and is yet to respond to the Daily Mail on the findings.
Trader Joe’s confirmed it has discontinued its Instant Boba Kit, while WuFuYuan said it is tightening its quality control standards and working with accredited labs to test for lead.
Jason Tsou, general manager at WuFuYuan’s parent company, Shanghai ZhouShi Foodstuffs, said: ‘We take the safety of our products very seriously, and your outreach has prompted us to further improve our existing quality control measures.’
According to market research firm IbisWorld, there were 6,635 bubble tea shops across the country in 2024, a number expected to double by 2028.
In the US, the FDA has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children.
Tom Neltner, national director of Unleaded Kids, a nonprofit focused on protecting children from lead poisoning, also told CR: ‘There’s really no safe amount of lead exposure. Every bit adds up over time.’
For most consumers, the researchers said the occasional bubble tea is unlikely to pose a health risk.
Dr James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at CR, said: ‘These levels weren’t so high that we’d tell people to completely avoid bubble tea.
‘However, given that some samples approached half our concern level, it’s best to enjoy bubble tea as an occasional treat – not an everyday drink.’
They advise limiting intake and maintaining a varied diet to avoid overexposure to heavy metals.
Nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin C can also help reduce the body’s absorption of harmful metals.
