Wed, 29 May 2013 07:15:00 GMT
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By May Ng
Industrial starch rumoured to be found in ‘pearls’
Tapioca balls found in bubble tea tested positive for banned industrial starch.
Before popular bubble tea franchises hit Malaysia back in the 90s, bubble tea lovers would grab their cuppa at night markets. The bubble tea craze in Malaysia has stuck around for a few years now and people are still queuing to get their hands on a bubble tea drink. The drink base ranges from milk tea, coffee, tea or fruity. Then you pick your sweetness level and ice or without ice. Oh wait, don’t forget the pearls!
Taiwan recently came to light where a company based in Central Taiwan was found positive for a banned industrial raw material in starch balls. Of which is found in tapioca balls mainly used in bubble tea drinks. The company has alerted overseas buyers of which Malaysia was one of them to omit the pearls. The Food and Drug Administration of Taiwan found maleic anhyride in the tapioca balls which if mixed with water becomes maleic acid. And it is prohibited from Taiwan’s list of approved starches in food products.
It is not the first time this ‘bubble’ issue raised public scare particularly towards milk tea drinkers. Are you a pearl lover? If tapioca pearls were removed from bubble tea drinks, can you survive? Share with us your second alternative topping. Grass jelly? Red bean? Aloe vera for a healthier option anyone?
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