A new report from Consumer Reports found that some popular bubble tea drinks contain concerning levels of lead. Researchers tested boba pearls and liquids from four brands — Gong Cha, Kung Fu Tea, Trader Joe’s, and WuFuYuan — and found that three out of four had more than half of the amount considered concerning in one serving. While none were above official danger levels, experts say there is no safe amount of lead exposure.
Boba pearls are made from tapioca, which comes from cassava, a root that can naturally absorb heavy metals from soil and water. The report showed that Trader Joe’s Instant Boba Kit had the highest lead level at 83%, followed by Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea. Even though other heavy metals like arsenic and mercury were not found at risky levels, long-term lead exposure can cause heart problems in adults and harm children’s brain development.
Experts recommend drinking bubble tea only once in a while instead of every day. Trader Joe’s has stopped selling its Instant Boba Kit, and other companies say they’re tightening their quality controls. Consumer Reports says it’s best to limit foods known to contain lead since even small amounts can build up in the body over time.
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