China Milk Tea Mercury Case : Boyfriend Planted It, Not Shop

Anhui woman accused Chagee tea shop of mercury in her drink on April 27; police investigation on April 29 reveals her boyfriend as the culprit. No health issues reported.

Tags:

图片



A Chinese woman who accused a famous chain of milk tea shops of planting mercury in her drink was later revealed to be the target of poisoning by her boyfriend, according to an official investigation. The incident sparked widespread public attention on food safety before taking a dramatic twist that shocked netizens.


图片


The woman, surnamed Zhang, hails from Anhui province in central China. She initially took to social media to complain that a Chagee milk tea shop had laced her drink with mercury granules, triggering concerns about the brand’s food safety.

The woman found tiny metal slivers, like those above, in her cup of tea. Photo: Weibo


Zhang stated that her boyfriend bought the milk tea for her on April 27. She said the first few sips were fine, but later she felt small granules in her mouth that “did not taste like tapioca bubbles”—a common topping in milk tea. She chewed on the granules, found them very tough, spat them out, and noticed tiny silver slivers that she identified as mercury.


Zhang called the Chagee shop to complain, but the staff denied any wrongdoing, saying “it was impossible for such a thing to happen in our production process” and suggesting she contact the police. She subsequently called the police and notified a local consumer association, while sharing the incident online—quickly drawing public attention to food safety issues and prompting some netizens to denounce the Chagee brand.


In response, the Chagee shop stated that it was taking the matter seriously and would fully cooperate with the police and market regulators to investigate the incident.


Local authorities intervened the next day, and their investigation results, announced on April 29, took the public by surprise. The investigation team confirmed that the Chagee shop’s ingredients and production procedures were all safe, and the “foreign matter” (mercury) in the milk tea had been “planted by the buyer of the milk tea.”


The investigation team added that they had arrested the suspect, collected relevant evidence, and the case was under further investigation. While the official announcement did not mention names or the suspect’s identity, many netizens connected the dots based on Zhang’s earlier account and deduced that her boyfriend—the person who bought the milk tea—was the culprit.


The twist sparked fierce discussions online. “This is an attempted murder,” one netizen commented. Another said, “I knew the mercury must not have come from the shop. What would a shop keep that for?” A third netizen sympathized with the brand: “Poor milk tea brand, taking the blame for nothing.”


Zhang did not report any health issues following the incident, but mercury poisoning can be fatal in serious cases. It is widely known that exposure to a mercury concentration of over 1.2mg per cubic metre can cause acute intoxication. Symptoms of acute mercury poisoning include damage to the respiratory and digestive systems, skin rashes, chest pain, fatigue, and diarrhoea.









Source: 

Editor: Crystal H


Advertisement


图片


Most Popular


图片


A Chinese man survived five days trapped underwater while diving in a cave by living on raw fish until he was rescued. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
图片
 



Lost diver survive 5 days underwater,lives on fish until rescued

图片
图片


Asian Nations Lead in Visa-Free Travel, Passport Power Shifts?

A Chinese mother has drawn online attention and sympathy after delivering food with her four-year-old daughter, who has a tumor, in a courier box.  Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin


Courier puts sick daughter in delivery box while working as...

图片
图片

Press “wow” 图片

图片


Wenzhou Woman Fined 200 Yuan for Applying Makeup While Using Driver-Assist

A Wenzhou woman was fined 200 yuan for applying makeup and dancing while using her AITO SUV’s driver-assist system. She claimed AI drives better than she does. Police deducted license points.

Tags:

图片



A woman in eastern China has been fined for applying make-up and dancing behind the wheel, then defending her actions by claiming her car’s driver-assistance system drove better than she could. The incident, which involved a premium smart SUV backed by Huawei, has sparked heated discussions about the misuse of driver-assistance technology in China.


A woman in China has been fined for applying make-up, eating and dancing when driving while claiming that her car’s assisted driving system is more reliable than she is. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/CCTV


According to CCTV News, the driver, surnamed Lin, is from Wenzhou in Zhejiang province. She had repeatedly posted videos online flaunting her vehicle’s assisted driving function, with the clips quickly going viral on social media.


A screen shot from a video Lin posted online shows her applying make-up while driving. Photo: CCTV


In the widely shared videos, Lin is seen travelling through a tunnel with the driver-assistance system activated. With both hands completely off the steering wheel, she is shown applying foundation and lipstick, moving to music, and even eating snacks—all while the car is in motion.


Lin was driving an AITO SUV, a premium smart vehicle brand backed by Chinese technology giant Huawei, which is worth about 500,000 yuan (US$73,000). She had also decorated the driver’s seat with flowers and ornaments, though the distance she travelled while engaging in the dangerous behavior has not been disclosed.


Local traffic police recently contacted Lin after internet users reported her for dangerous driving. When questioned, Lin tried to justify her actions, saying: “Although my hands were doing other things, I was still thinking about driving.”


A member of safety staff shows how to drive an autonomous vehicle in southern China. Photo: Xinhua
A member of safety staff shows how to drive an autonomous vehicle in southern China. Photo: Xinhua



Police warned her that unexpected situations—such as roadworks requiring a sudden lane change—could occur at any time, posing a serious risk to her and other road users. They explained that driver-assistance systems are designed for relatively simple road conditions and cannot reliably cope with complex scenarios or emergencies.


Lin remained unrepentant, responding: “I had not thought about that because I really trust smart driving. As a female driver, I think it drives better than I do.”


Officers stressed that driver assistance is not the same as autonomous driving and cannot identify every obstacle on the road. Under China’s vehicle automation standards, driver-assistance systems only provide limited steering or speed-control support—such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping—and drivers are required to remain alert and in full control of the vehicle at all times.


Police added that motorists remain legally responsible when using such functions, and traffic violations can lead to fines, licence revocation, or even administrative detention. In Lin’s case, she was eventually fined 200 yuan (US$30) and had points deducted from her driving licence for obstructing safe driving.


Her case has triggered a heated discussion on mainland social media, with related topics drawing more than 10 million views. Netizens expressed their anger and concern over her irresponsible behavior.


“I am terrified of irresponsible drivers like this. If nothing happens, they are lucky; if it does, they endanger both themselves and others,” one online observer commented. Another netizen said: “I hardly ever use smart-driving features. Humans are still more reliable and flexible than machines.”


The misuse of driver-assistance technology is not uncommon in China. On May 4 this year, a man returning to Shanghai reported seeing a driver sleeping in a speeding car while its assisted-driving system was activated. In February 2023, a drunk driver from central China activated the function and later argued he was not controlling the vehicle; he was ultimately sentenced to five months’ detention and fined 10,000 yuan (US$1,400).










Source: 

Editor: Crystal H


Advertisement


图片


Most Popular


图片


图片
图片
 



Dramatic Twist: Chinese woman accuses famous tea shop of adding mercury to drink discovers boyfriend is culprit

图片
图片


Viral but Vulgar? Gexian Village NPC “Xiaohuangyu” Apologizes for Flirtatious Interactions

The untimely death of a celebrity cat in China due to a medical mishap has led its owner, who has five million online followers, to seek justice. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/Baidu


Celebrity Cat Dies From Pet Hospital Blunder and Owner Fights for Justice, Hospital Finally Apologizes...

图片
图片

Press “wow” 图片

图片


Pudong Sports Carnival 2026 : Family Fun, Early Bird RMB100 (May 30-31)

May 30-31: Pudong family sports carnival. Free pickleball, cash prize tournament, global bazaar & charity booths. Early bird RMB100 (reg RMB120).

Tags:

图片
图片
图片

Our 2026 Green City International Sports Carnival is a two-day family festival and sports carnival with international team matches, star player charity coaching, a world football fun zone, global bazaar, charity collaborations, games, live shows, bands, DJs, and more!

Check out a video of last year's fun below...



READ MORE: WATCH! Fun Times at Our Family Festival

图片

Mini World Cup

Football Tournament

图片


On the Sunday, May 31, the carnival will feature a seven-a-side Mini World Cup Football Tournament from 10am to 5pm.


Entry is free and there will be cash prizes for the champion, runner-up, and third place.


Each team must have at least seven players, with at least 50% international participants.


Want to take part?

To register, or for more information, add Ned on WeChat by scanning the QR code below:

图片

World Football Immersion Zone

图片


Step into a global football playground:

  • Brazilian samba dribbling

  • German precision passing

  • Japanese team coordination challenges

One zone, many football souls.

图片

All-Age Sports Zone

图片


A five‑continent adventure course—immersive, challenging, and family‑friendly.


Kids 6+ can explore independently; younger ones go with parents.


图片


Plus! Free Pickleball Experience with pro coaches—pick up the basics in five minutes, compete in fun obstacle races and mini matches.

图片

Global Market & Charity Bazaar

图片


First time in Pudong: JS Market—an international boutique market with global artisans, crafts, imports, and treasures.


Charity Bazaar—international school students and teachers sell cultural goods. All proceeds support the Yilu Tongxing education aid project. Every item you buy helps light a child’s future.

图片

International School

Charity Corner

图片


Calling all international/bilingual schools in Shanghai—host a booth selling sports-themed gear, memorabilia, or run interactive sports games.


All proceeds go to a selected education charity. Participating schools receive an official certificate of contribution.


Scan the QR code on the poster above to get involved!

图片

Rich Immersive Experiences

图片


There is also a Main Stage featuring school performances, global cultural shows, Little Diva talent contest, and more.


图片


CHUMS themed camping seating—comfy chairs, mood lighting, pure relaxation!

图片

Wonderful Pistachio Wonderland

图片


Meet the Wonderful Pistachio mascot, grab a taste, and enjoy a cheerful break.

图片

Food & Drink

图片


Play like an athlete, dine like a foodie. Enjoy global bites like fish & chips, nachos, and more. 


图片

图片

After Party

图片


Moving from afternoon to early evening, enjoy live bands and DJs.


Mingle under the stars—because the game never really ends.

图片

Tickets

This isn’t just a sports event. It’s a celebration of cultures, connections, and community.


Rooted in Green City’s 20-year sports legacy and echoing the 2026 FIFA World Cup spirit, we invite you to a two-day journey where competition meets joy, and neighbors become teammates.


Celebrate the world. Play as one family.


See you at Biyun.


Click below to get your tickets now:


Sat May 30, 10am-8pm


Sun May 31, 10am-7pm


Early Bird RMB100, Regular RMB120


Green Sunshine Stadium, Intersection of Biyun Road & Lanan Road, Pudong District 碧云路和蓝桉路交叉口



图片
▼For more news, click 'Read more' (阅读原文) below.