Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
China Times Electronic News
By Huang Wenbo/Tainan Report
April 22, 2015
Following the discovery of DDT in its tea ingredients, the well-known British-style tea chain "British Blue" conducted its own tests and found six types of tea—Earl Grey, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Oolong, Assam, and Jade Green Tea—contained the carcinogenic pesticide "Fipronil." The Tainan City Health Bureau was notified by the company at noon on the 21st and ordered all 96 of British Blue's stores nationwide to suspend operations.
**Fipronil Contamination Leads to Nationwide Store Closures**
On April 14, "British Blue" was found to have DDT residues in its rose petals, sourced from Taipei-based Zhoujie Trading Company. The company claimed innocence, stating they relied on Zhoujie's inspection certificates and were also victims.
To verify the safety of other tea products, "British Blue" independently tested six batches of tea leaves purchased from Zhoujie on March 23 and 27. The results showed pesticide residues in Earl Grey, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Oolong, Assam, and Jade Green Tea. The company reported the findings to the Tainan Health Bureau at noon on the 21st, prompting the bureau to instruct health authorities across Taiwan to oversee the "cessation of operations" at all 96 stores.
The Tainan Health Bureau dispatched inspectors to "British Blue's" warehouse and flagship store, sealing 11 outlets in Tainan and confiscating over 800 kilograms of raw materials for testing. Lin Minghong, manager of the company's nutrition department, stated they would cooperate with investigations. All 96 stores would "voluntarily suspend operations" until the case was fully clarified before considering reopening.
**Exceeding Limits by Tens to Hundreds of Times**
Tainan Health Bureau Deputy Director Lin Bifen noted that the Taipei Health Bureau had been notified to trace the source of Zhoujie Trading's tea leaves. The Tainan District Prosecutors Office has also launched an investigation into the distribution of Zhoujie's products.
The bureau stated that Fipronil residues should not exceed 0.002 ppm, but the six contaminated teas exceeded this limit by tens to hundreds of times. Consumers expressed outrage, calling it "unbelievable to drink such toxic substances" and questioning why health authorities allowed "British Blue" to continue operating after the DDT incident.
**Fipronil Fact Sheet**
Fipronil is a pesticide commonly used in insecticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as a carcinogen, and countries like France, Italy, and China have banned its use. The UK and Australia are also considering bans.
Studies show that Fipronil residues in grass consumed by cattle accumulate in fat and milk, posing direct health risks. Animal experiments also indicate Fipronil affects fertility, leading to smaller fetuses in pregnant animals. (Compiled by Huang Wenbo)
Source:
UK Blue Tea Found with Carcinogenic Pesticides Again
By Huang Wenbo/Tainan Report
April 22, 2015
Following the discovery of DDT in its tea ingredients, the well-known British-style tea chain "British Blue" conducted its own tests and found six types of tea—Earl Grey, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Oolong, Assam, and Jade Green Tea—contained the carcinogenic pesticide "Fipronil." The Tainan City Health Bureau was notified by the company at noon on the 21st and ordered all 96 of British Blue's stores nationwide to suspend operations.
**Fipronil Contamination Leads to Nationwide Store Closures**
On April 14, "British Blue" was found to have DDT residues in its rose petals, sourced from Taipei-based Zhoujie Trading Company. The company claimed innocence, stating they relied on Zhoujie's inspection certificates and were also victims.
To verify the safety of other tea products, "British Blue" independently tested six batches of tea leaves purchased from Zhoujie on March 23 and 27. The results showed pesticide residues in Earl Grey, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Oolong, Assam, and Jade Green Tea. The company reported the findings to the Tainan Health Bureau at noon on the 21st, prompting the bureau to instruct health authorities across Taiwan to oversee the "cessation of operations" at all 96 stores.
The Tainan Health Bureau dispatched inspectors to "British Blue's" warehouse and flagship store, sealing 11 outlets in Tainan and confiscating over 800 kilograms of raw materials for testing. Lin Minghong, manager of the company's nutrition department, stated they would cooperate with investigations. All 96 stores would "voluntarily suspend operations" until the case was fully clarified before considering reopening.
**Exceeding Limits by Tens to Hundreds of Times**
Tainan Health Bureau Deputy Director Lin Bifen noted that the Taipei Health Bureau had been notified to trace the source of Zhoujie Trading's tea leaves. The Tainan District Prosecutors Office has also launched an investigation into the distribution of Zhoujie's products.
The bureau stated that Fipronil residues should not exceed 0.002 ppm, but the six contaminated teas exceeded this limit by tens to hundreds of times. Consumers expressed outrage, calling it "unbelievable to drink such toxic substances" and questioning why health authorities allowed "British Blue" to continue operating after the DDT incident.
**Fipronil Fact Sheet**
Fipronil is a pesticide commonly used in insecticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as a carcinogen, and countries like France, Italy, and China have banned its use. The UK and Australia are also considering bans.
Studies show that Fipronil residues in grass consumed by cattle accumulate in fat and milk, posing direct health risks. Animal experiments also indicate Fipronil affects fertility, leading to smaller fetuses in pregnant animals. (Compiled by Huang Wenbo)
Source: