Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding COSTA's organic Pu'er tea product, which claims a 100-year shelf life, raises questions about the validity of such a long expiration date and its implications for consumer safety and marketing practices [1][6][7]. Group 1: Product Details - Consumers reported that the packaging of COSTA's organic Pu'er tea indicates a production date of October 1, 2025, and an expiration date of October 1, 2125, suggesting a shelf life of 100 years [1]. - The product is priced at 53 yuan for a net weight of 35 grams, with the details stating that under proper storage conditions, Pu'er tea is suitable for long-term preservation [2]. Group 2: Expert Opinions - Industry experts highlight that while Pu'er tea can be stored for extended periods, the optimal shelf life is generally around 10 years, and improper storage can lead to quality degradation [5][6]. - Food safety analysts express skepticism about the 100-year shelf life claim, suggesting it may be a marketing gimmick that poses food safety risks [6]. Group 3: Regulatory and Legal Aspects - The labeling of food products must adhere to legal standards, and the claim of a 100-year shelf life could mislead consumers, potentially violating food safety laws [7]. - The absence of scientific validation for the 100-year shelf life raises concerns about the authenticity of the claim and its compliance with food labeling regulations [6][7]. Group 4: Company Background - COSTA, founded in 1971 in London, was acquired by Coca-Cola in 2019, which has since expanded its product offerings to include ready-to-drink coffee and tea beverages [7].

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding COSTA's organic Pu-erh tea packaging, which claims a 100-year shelf life, raises questions about food safety and marketing practices in the tea industry [1][3]. Group 1: Product Details - The product in question is COSTA's organic Pu-erh tea (ripe tea), priced at 53 yuan for a net weight of 35 grams, with a production date of October 1, 2025, and an expiration date of October 1, 2125, indicating a shelf life of 100 years [1][3]. - The customer service of COSTA confirmed that the tea can be stored for a long time if kept in proper conditions, but did not provide details on how the shelf life was determined or if there were any experimental certifications [3]. Group 2: Industry Insights - According to food industry analyst Zhu Danpeng, there is currently no unified national standard for the shelf life of tea, and different types of tea have varying standards. Special teas like Pu-erh, black tea, and white tea tend to have longer shelf lives [3]. - Zhu Danpeng expressed skepticism about the 100-year shelf life claim, suggesting it is more of a marketing gimmick and poses significant food safety risks, as improperly stored tea can spoil within decades [3]. - Lin Zhi, director of the Science and Technology Department at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute, stated that the optimal shelf life for Pu-erh tea is around 10 years, and the concept of "the older, the better" only applies within this timeframe [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the controversy surrounding the labeling of COSTA's organic Pu-erh tea, which claims a shelf life of 100 years, raising concerns about food safety and marketing practices [1][6][9]. Group 1: Product Details - Consumers reported that the packaging of COSTA's organic Pu-erh tea indicates a production date of October 1, 2025, and an expiration date of October 1, 2125, suggesting a shelf life of 100 years [1]. - The product is priced at 53 yuan with a net weight of 35 grams, and the details state that under proper storage conditions, Pu-erh tea is suitable for long-term preservation [1]. Group 2: Expert Opinions - Food industry analyst Zhu Danpeng stated that there are no unified national regulations on tea shelf life, and while certain teas like Pu-erh may have longer shelf lives, improper storage can lead to mold and food safety risks [6]. - Zhu also criticized the 100-year shelf life claim as a marketing gimmick, emphasizing that some teas can degrade into a paste after just a few decades [6]. - Lin Zhi, director of the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, noted that the optimal shelf life for Pu-erh tea is around 10 years, and the concept of "the older, the better" only applies within this timeframe [7]. Group 3: Legal Perspectives - Lawyer Chen Yanhong pointed out that while there is a consensus that Pu-erh tea can be stored long-term, the claim of a 100-year shelf life lacks scientific validation and exceeds safe industry standards [9]. - The labeling may mislead consumers regarding the product's shelf life, potentially violating laws that require food labels to be truthful and accurate [9].