Popular Chun Cui He milk tea from Taiwan recalled

(Photo: Seth Lui)

[UPDATE on Tuesday 22 August 2016, 4:32pm to include 7-Eleven’s response to the recall]

The hugely popular Chun Cui He milk tea from Taiwan has been taken off the shelves of exclusive retailer 7-Eleven in Singapore due to a non-permitted additive.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said on Tuesday (23 August) that it has worked with the supplier to recall the drink, which contains L-theanine. The ingredient is currently not on the list of permitted food additives under the Food Regulations of Singapore.

AVA said in a media release that the drink poses “no food safety risk”. It added, “Consumers who have consumed this product and have any health concerns can consult your doctor or seek medical advice.”

A 7-Eleven spokesman told Yahoo Singapore that the retailer has begun removing the drink from its stores island-wide. Some stocks were already sold out before the AVA’s announcement.

Customers who have concerns over the safety of the drink can go to any 7-Eleven outlet for a refund of unopened bottles, the spokesman added.

Since the launch of the milk tea in Singapore on 13 July, stocks of the drink have been sold out across 7-Eleven stores within hours after being put on the shelves, causing the retailer to impose a limit of six bottles for every single receipt purchase.

However, there is still hope for fans in Singapore to enjoy the drink, as 7-Eleven said that the importer, Abana Singapore, is in the process of registering L-theanine as an approved additive with AVA.

“We are also working with the supplier to bring in new flavours that comply with AVA’s guidelines,” the spokesman said.

The Chun Cui He brand of latte drink, which is also sold at 7-Eleven, is not affected by the recall and will continue to be sold, the spokesman added.