Global tapioca pearl scare affects bubble tea industry
Amidst maleic acid scare Aust bubble tea retailers reassure their customers.
Bubble Tea Chain, Easyway Tea, earlier released a statement on Facebook about the recent news of maleic acid contained in tapioca pearls.
The brand assured their customers that their product has not been affected. The brand indicated that samples currently available on their menu were voluntarily provided to the SGS Group for a comprehensive test.
“At Easyway Tea, we have built a first-class supply chain over almost 12 years, based on a long-term relationship with our trusted suppliers. We only import ingredients sourced from traceable and quality-assured supplier.
“Product safety, quality and satisfaction of our customers are always our first priority. We assure our products are safe to consume,” added the brand.
In addition, QSR Media conducted an interview with tea franchise, Chatime, to get the brand’s response on the issue and how this has been affecting the tea industry in the country. The brand has more than 800 stores worldwide, with 50 outlets across Australia.
Below is a Q&A with Karen Leong, Head of Marketing at Chatime.
QSR Media: Is your product affected by Maleic Acid?
Karen: All Chatime ingredients including the tapioca starch balls (pearls) which are added to our Chatime drinks are imported from Taiwan and abide by the Australian Food Laws and Regulations. To ensure that our products have not been affected by Maleic Acid, Chatime Taiwan Head Office sent samples of the tapioca starch balls to one of the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS Taiwan on the 16th May 2013.
Using the HPLC-DAD (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection) method, test results from the food lab confirmed that the total amount of Maleic Acid and Maleic Anhydride in our tapioca starch balls is lower than the detection limit value and our tapioca starch balls served in Chatime drinks meet stringent food safety standards.
QSR Media: How are you responding to the issue?
Karen: This is a serious food safety issue which Chatime has not taken light-heartedly, hence for sending the tapioca starch balls to SGS Taiwan. Chatime consistently provides customers with fresh tea products and therefore food safety is and always will be our number one priority. Chatime products are officially verified by the Public Health Bureau and has a Safety Certificate for passing the overall inspection.
QSR Media: How do you think it is affecting the Bubble Tea industry in Australia?
Karen: The Maleic Acid issue has now lifted the standards of quality of all bubble teas to a higher level. In addition, consumers who were aware of the recent issues will have greater expectations about the quality of bubble teas that they purchase and will continue to be loyal to those brands that did not take the issue light-heartedly and responded to the issue.
Quality control of any ingredients imported for bubble teas from overseas will now be more vigilant and will need to pass all relevant Australia Food Laws and regulations set out by the Australia Quarantine, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Food safety Department, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
We believe that consumers in Australia are intelligent and will choose high quality food and beverage products. In addition they will support brands that make food safety their number one priority.
QSR Media: Any other comments?
Karen: Chatime offers the world’s most authentic tea experience and is rapidly becoming known as ‘the fresh tea specialist’. Founded in Taiwan in 2003, Chatime is an international franchise with over 800 stores worldwide. The company launched in Australia in 2009 and has quickly grown to over 50 outlets located across Australia.
Combining 30 years of tea production and a team of professional tea testers, Chatime has modernised the traditional Taiwanese tea culture. Chatime employs state-of-the-art technology and uses the highest quality ingredients to deliver a great tea tasting experience. Chatime is committed to consistently deliver high quality beverages and outstanding customer service.
