China’s leading bubble tea player, Mixue has become a hot topic among Chinese netizens recently as two of its stores were caught using expired jams and inadequate amount of ingredients to make fruit teas.
The fresh ice cream and tea brand was quite popular among Chinese consumers for its reasonably priced products costing an average US$1.10, relatively lower than many other bubble tea stores. By the end of March 2022, Mixue had become China’s largest bubble tea player with more than 21,000 stores all across China.
An undercover investigation by news reporters found that 2 of its stores in Nanjing hired employees without the need to present a health certificate as required by the Food Safety Law. In addition, the store managers also instructed shop assistants to change the sell-by date of multiple items including jams, red beans, cheese, and oats so that they can be used although they have already expired for making bubble tea products. They were also told to use lesser ingredients than usual in making these products.
After the report was released, the local regulation authority in Nanjing conducted an investigation into the 2 stores, and instructed them to make the necessary changes. They will also face fine/penalty in accordance to the law.
