Matcha tea products found to exceed French aluminum safety limits

An investigation by the French consumer magazine Que Choisir has revealed that several matcha tea products contain aluminum levels that exceed safety recommendations. Testing conducted on seven different matcha products showed that all samples contained aluminum, with four exceeding the reference values established by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses).

In the most significant case, a single cup of matcha contained nearly four times the daily limit recommended by Anses. The study highlights a discrepancy between European and French standards; while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sets a reference dose of 143 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, Anses has implemented a stricter limit of 40 micrograms per kilogram as of 2025.

Despite these findings, none of the tested products violate current European Union regulations, as the EU has not yet established maximum legal limits for aluminum in food and beverages. The investigation notes that regular consumption of high-aluminum foods can pose risks to the nervous system, particularly as many adults already exceed recommended limits through other dietary sources like bread and pastries.