Bubble Tea consists of sweetened green or black tea to which milk and fruit syrup is added. As a special feature, the drink contains little balls (bubbles) made of starch. Some of these balls are filled with a sweet liquid. The bubbles, which are sucked up with a straw, are roughly 10 to 15 mm in diameter.

When drinking Bubble Tea, starch balls can accidentally get into the lungs. When foreign bodies enter the lungs, this is called “aspiration”. Aspiration poses a hazard for children up to the age of four in particular.

Different factors facilitate such aspiration accidents. They include sucking with a straw, because as a result of the negative pressure generated in the pharynx, the epiglottis can be lifted. This means that the epiglottis, which is normally closed during swallowing, is opened and liquids or solids can easily get into the lungs. In addition, it is known that children up to the age of four in particular are at risk to aspirate foreign objects roughly in the size of peanuts. The balls used in Bubble Tea are of a similar size.

So far, no aspiration accidents have been reported to the BfR following consumption of Bubble Tea. In the estimation of the institute, however, such accidents are foreseeable, especially for children up to the age of four. Reports in the press about the first emergencies could not been verified by the BfR on the base on intensive inquiries.

From the viewpoint of the BfR, Bubble Tea should carry clear labels saying that small children up to the age of four may aspirate Bubbles.

The hazard of children getting Bubbles into their lungs is especially great for children up to the age of four. Due to past experience with foreign bodies that are comparable to bubbles, the aspiration hazard is regarded as lower for older children and adults.

Since the aspiration hazard seems to apply to children under four in particular, children up to that age should to the greatest possible extent refrain from drinking Bubble Tea altogether. If they have Bubble Tea nevertheless, they should drink it without a straw, because sucking with a straw increases the likelihood of aspiration accidents.

If a small child exhibits prolonged coughing or difficulty in breathing following the consumption of Bubble Tea, it is imperative that the child should see a doctor.

A cup of Bubble Tea can contain up to 500 calories. That amounts to roughly half of the daily energy needs of a four-year-old child or one third of daily energy needs of a seven-year-old child.

Food additives, for example, colourants, must only be used in foods if they have gone through an approval procedure. Only approved additives may be used. The European Approval Authorities (the European Commission in cooperation with the EU member states), only give approval, if the use of the substance in food is safe from the health point of view. Foods must state the additives they contain. For goods that are sold loose, consumers must be informed of the used additives, for example by means of notices.