霸王茶姬对“奶茶比作准毒品”争议表态 “上海禁毒”回应

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding "霸王茶姬" (Bawang Tea) and its caffeine content has sparked significant online discussion, with the company responding to allegations that its high-caffeine beverages are akin to "quasi-drugs" [2][5]. Group 1: Incident Background - A social media post claimed that high-caffeine drinks like those from Bawang Tea are exploiting a "quasi-drug" narrative, leading to public panic [5]. - Bawang Tea issued a statement on December 26, asserting that it is taking legal action against the spread of false information that harms its reputation [5]. Group 2: Company Response and Education - On December 26, Bawang Tea further clarified the relationship between tea leaves and caffeine, explaining that natural tea contains polyphenols and theobromine (caffeine), and that the term "caffeine" was first identified in coffee in the early 19th century [7]. - The "Shanghai Anti-Drug" WeChat account emphasized that all true teas (including black, green, oolong, and white teas) contain caffeine, with only a few herbal teas (like rose and chrysanthemum tea) being caffeine-free [7]. Group 3: Caffeine Regulation and Safety - According to legal definitions, caffeine is classified as a second-class psychoactive substance in China, and high-purity caffeine preparations can be highly addictive and dangerous [7]. - Historical context was provided, noting that in the 1980s, there was a significant issue in Shanxi with the abuse of caffeine mixed with other substances, leading to high addiction rates [7]. - A study indicated that adults can safely consume up to 1524g of liquid milk tea daily without exceeding caffeine limits, provided they do not consume other caffeine-containing foods [7].