A woman in Suzhou, Anhui province has alleged that she found mercury-like metallic droplets in a drink purchased from a chain tea shop, sparking an official investigation.
According to reports, the customer, identified as Ms Wang, said she bought a beverage from a “Chagee” outlet at a shopping mall in Dangshan. She claimed that while drinking the beverage, she noticed small, hard particles that could not be chewed, later discovering what she suspected to be liquid metal.
She also shared images showing several small, silver-coloured spherical substances mixed in the drink. Ms Wang said she initially raised the issue with the store, but claimed staff denied the possibility and advised her to report it to the authorities. She has since filed a police report and lodged a complaint with the local market regulator.
In response, the store strongly denied the allegation, stating that mercury could not be present in its production process. Staff said they are cooperating fully with police and regulatory authorities, and emphasised that the final conclusion will depend on the official investigation.
Local authorities have since launched a full inspection of the outlet, including checks on ingredients, equipment and operational procedures. Samples of the drink have been sealed and sent for laboratory testing, with results pending official release.
