A recent study by the Foundation for Consumers has revealed that every one of the 15 popular Thai milk tea brands tested contains food colour additives.
Conducted through its Smart Buy online magazine, the foundation collected samples in March and had them tested at a laboratory certified to ISO 17025 standards.
The findings showed that approved food colours were present in all samples, with each milk tea brand using between one and four different colourants.
Common additives identified included Sunset Yellow FCF, Tartrazine, Ponceau 4R, and Carmoisine (also known as Azorubine).
Notably, Sunset Yellow FCF was detected in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 7.90 milligrams per kilogram to a high of 291.41 milligrams per kilogram.
The three brands with the highest levels of Sunset Yellow FCF measured 291.41 mg/kg, 250.20 mg/kg, and 222.26 mg/kg, respectively.
Dr. Kaew Kangsadan-ampai, an advisor to Smart Buy magazine, noted that while these additives are legally approved for food use, excessive consumption may pose health risks.
He recommended that consumers select milk tea products displaying an official Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval number and encouraged them to read product labels carefully. Dr. Kaew also suggested reducing the intake of coloured milk teas or preparing homemade versions with natural, colour-free ingredients.
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