Starbucks recalls more than 50,000 "risky" straws

Many places provide disposable straws for a cold drink or coffee in summer, but such straws can also be potentially risky. A few days ago, Starbucks Enterprise Management (China) Co., Ltd. filed a recall plan with the AQSIQ, recalling a batch of stainless steel straws because of safety risks.

Fall or cause lips to tear

According to the Chinese mainland recall plan, 54457 stainless steel straws made between September 2013 and March 2016 will be recalled from August 3, affecting 54457 pieces in the Starbucks area.

Why recall this batch of straws? The reporter learned that the stainless steel straws within the scope of this recall, due to the hard texture, consumers (especially children) in the use of unexpected circumstances, such as falls or impact, may have the hidden danger of accidental injury. Starbucks advises consumers with stainless steel straws to avoid letting children use stainless steel straws without adult care. According to US news station CNBC, there are reports that the straws caused four children to suffer lip lacerations. Starbucks recalled more than 2.5 million packets of stainless steel straws in the United States last Tuesday.

For stainless steel straws within the scope of the recall, Starbucks will replace matching plastic straws for consumers free of charge to eliminate hidden dangers. Consumers only need to register at any store with a stainless steel tube cup.

Stainless steel tube cups have been suspended in Shanghai

The reporter visited several Starbucks stores in Shanghai and found no problem with straw provision.

The reporter learned from the Starbucks clerk that this stainless steel straw is not provided separately, but is used together with several kinds of cups. A total of six styles of cups are recalled, namely: 16 oz Christmas fruit red stainless steel straw cup, 16 oz black striped Logo stainless steel straw cup, 16 oz ice cube stainless steel straw cup, 16 oz facade stainless steel straw cup carbon black, 16 oz double layer stainless steel vacuum magic ice cup and 16 oz stainless steel straw cup.

In the Starbucks store in the neighborhood of Shangxiang Road, the reporter did not find that there was a notice of straw recall pasted. There is no stainless steel tube cup on the store shelf. The clerk said that stainless steel cups are not sold in the store, and there are currently no consumers to replace stainless steel straws.

Wang Ying, public affairs manager of Shanghai Unified Chinese mainland Coffee Co., Ltd., said that stainless steel straws are not sold separately at Starbucks, but are used as accessories for some Starbucks accompanying cups. Such products were not sold on the mainland until September 2013. At present, Starbucks stores in Shanghai have stopped selling stainless steel tube cups after the announcement.

Buy plastic straws and recognize the QS logo

In addition to stainless steel straws may cause harm to children, ordinary plastic straws also have safety risks. The reporter learned that the quality inspection department of Jiangsu Province conducted a general survey of 100 batches of plastic straws in wholesale markets, supermarkets, online stores and catering enterprises. It is found that there are hidden dangers in many aspects, such as fluorescent substances, plasticizers, azo dyes and heavy metals in more than 50% of plastic straws, and more than 60% of plastic straws belong to three no products.

The reporter visited several supermarkets yesterday and found that the plastic straws sold in the supermarket are all licensed products, and the packaging also shows the production date, shelf life, production license number and QS quality certification number and other information. However, individual roadside beverage shops use independently packaged straws, and there is no information on the wrapping paper. Many fast food restaurants, such as KFC and McDonald's, provide straws that are not packaged and are in direct contact with the air.

General plastic products contain polyethylene and polypropylene, which will produce harmful substances in the case of high temperature, and many unscrupulous manufacturers use recycled waste plastics to make straws. Consumers such as long-term use of color substandard goods, fluorescent substances and heavy metals will accumulate in the body, bringing cancer risk.

The quality supervision department recommends that you buy plastic straws to identify the "QS" mark on the outer package. In addition, try to avoid buying brightly colored products.