Is Your Bubble Tea Safe? Non-Compliant Additives & Sweeteners!

In the world of bubble tea, ensuring that the ingredients your customers consume are safe and compliant with regulations is more important than ever. Recently, the Food Standards Agency circulated information specific to our industry that has led to concern among customers and businesses alike. At Boba Box, we want to take a moment to clarify the situation and give you the peace of mind you deserve when choosing our products.

Key Takeaways

  • Hidden Risks in Bubble Tea: artificial sweeteners and additives are being used in non-compliant ways in some bubble tea products, posing health and legal risks.
  • Boba Box Assurance: All Boba Box products are fully compliant with UK and EU food regulations; we use compliant sweeteners and additives and always have transparent labeling.
  • Prohibited Ingredients: Be aware of ingredients like Sucralose, Aspartame, and Konjac (E425) that should not be in some bubble tea products and categories unless they meet specific requirements.
  • Industry Impact: Non-compliance by circulation of these products can damage the entire bubble tea industry, causing fear and confusion among consumers.
  • Your Action Steps: Always check ingredient lists, request full disclosures from suppliers, and choose trusted providers like Boba Box for safe, compliant products.
  • Commitment to Safety: Boba Box prioritises rigorous quality control, transparent labelling, and adherence to all regulatory standards to ensure consumer safety and trust.

Unveiling the Hidden Risks in Bubble Tea Ingredients

Unapproved Artificial Sweeteners and Additives

The current concern revolves around the use of certain ingredients in bubble tea products, specifically artificial sweeteners and additives that are either not approved for use in conjunction with other ingredients or not properly declared in some bubble tea offerings. Mislabelling or the use of non-compliant ingredients can lead to health and legal issues. This is why accurate ingredient sourcing and labelling to ensure regulatory compliance are vital to maintaining a high standard across the industry.

Unfortunately, some products may not fully adhere to these standards, which has caused industry-wide repercussions and led to a rise in misinformation about what is and isn’t safe to consume. At Boba Box, we understand how important trust is, and we want to assure you that our products are fully compliant with all UK and EU food regulations.

Boba Box's Commitment to Safety and Compliance

1. No Incorrectly Used Artificial Sweeteners or Non-Compliant Additives in Our Products
All of our range is free from non-compliant artificial sweeteners and additives and Boba Box is proud to be the first and only UK supplier to offer juice balls made with 15% real fruit juice - completely free from artificial sweeteners and colours. Our commitment to using natural, high-quality ingredients means that our products not only taste great, but also meet strict regulatory standards.
2. Transparent Labelling
We believe transparency is key to trust. All our ingredients are clearly labelled, and we work hard to ensure that every product you receive from Boba Box complies with all legal requirements by having our labels reviewed by a team of subject matter experts at a highly respected and accredited UK-based organisation. Whether it’s sweeteners, flavours, additives or stabilisers, we guarantee that everything we use is both safe and clearly documented.
3. Rigorous Quality Control
Our products undergo stringent testing to ensure they meet the highest safety and compliance standards. We partner with trusted suppliers and regularly test and review our products to ensure they remain compliant as regulations evolve. This dedication allows us to provide high-quality bubble tea ingredients that you can rely on.

The Prohibited Boba Ingredients You Need to be Aware of

List of Artificial Sweeteners

The below artificial sweeteners should not be used in bubble tea products unless they meet specific requirements for permitted use or are combined with other approved ingredients, including:

○ Sorbitol (E420)

○ Erythorbic acid (E315)

○ Sodium Erythorbate (E316)

○ Acesulfame K (E950)

○ Aspartame (E951)

○ Saccharin (E954)

○ Sucralose (E955)

○ Steviol Glycosides (E960)

○ Neotame (E961)

○ Xylitol (E967)

○ Erythritol (E968)

The Dangers of Konjac (E425) in Bubble Tea

Konjac (E425) should not be used in products (usually popping boba/juice balls and/or jelly/pudding toppings) due to possible choking hazards due to the consistency, solubility, shape, size, and manner of consumption. 

The Illegal Practice of Over-Stickering Labels

Over stickering - some companies have simply put a new sticker over old labels, without changing the non-compliant ingredients, this is not only illegal but also dangerous as you don’t know what you putting in your drinks to supply to consumers.

The Impact of Non-Compliance on the Bubble Tea Industry

When bubble tea shops and suppliers fail to comply with regulations, it’s not just their reputation that suffers—it can also impact the entire industry, creating fear and confusion among customers. That’s why Boba Box is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality in every product we offer. We understand that misinformation can spread quickly but rest assured that we remain committed to maintaining a transparent, ethical approach to bubble tea supplies production.

How to Protect Your Customers and Business

We encourage all customers to read website descriptions and ingredients carefully when placing new orders. If your usual supplier is not displaying their ingredients - ask them for a full list so you can check compliance.

At Boba Box, we’re here to help — if you need any clarification about our products or industry regulations, feel free to reach out to us directly at office@bobabox.co.uk. We are happy to guide you through any questions or concerns you may have.

Moving Forward: Ensuring a Safe and Enjoyable Bubble Tea Experience

The bubble tea industry is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes the responsibility of maintaining trust and safety. Boba Box is proud to lead the way with compliant, transparent, and delicious products that you can confidently serve in your shops or enjoy at home.

We’re dedicated to the success of the bubble tea community and will continue to champion industry standards that benefit both businesses and consumers.

Thank you for your continued trust in Boba Box. Together, we can ensure that bubble tea remains a safe and enjoyable treat for everyone.

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