A major food safety scare involving a popular Chinese tea brand has taken a dramatic turn after authorities concluded that allegations of “mercury contamination” in a milk tea were fabricated.
The incident centred on a woman in Anhui province who claimed she discovered multiple silver-coloured metallic particles in a drink purchased from leading beverage chain Bawang Chaji. She alleged the substance could be mercury, triggering public concern online.
The woman insisted her claims were genuine, telling reporters she had no reason to harm herself and maintained that the drink was contaminated when she bought it. The case quickly escalated, prompting involvement from police and local market regulators.
However, following a joint investigation and laboratory testing of the beverage and store premises, authorities found no evidence of contamination linked to the outlet. Officials later determined that the substance in question was not introduced by the shop.
Investigators reportedly concluded that the metallic material had been placed into the drink by the complainant herself, effectively overturning the initial accusation against the business.
Authorities also highlighted that mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature, making the claim of solid particles inconsistent with its physical properties.
The case has since sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, with many users criticising the lack of scientific understanding behind the initial allegation.
Police have confirmed that individuals involved are now under investigation, while the tea shop has been cleared of wrongdoing after cooperating fully with inspections and testing procedures.
