Contamination concerns in matcha powder products

Investigations into matcha powder have identified various contaminants in products sold across Europe. An inquiry by Que Choisir in France found aluminum in all seven tested brands, with five exceeding safety limits established by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). The study noted that because matcha is consumed as a fine powder, the risk of ingesting substances like aluminum, which is absorbed by tea plants from the soil, is increased.

Subsequent testing by ÖKO-TEST in Germany identified mineral oil residues in several organic matcha powders. Of 18 organic products tested, five contained concerning levels of mineral oil components, specifically aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH), which can be linked to genetic damage or cancer. Two products from China were highlighted for poor performance, with one receiving an overall grade of ‘insufficient’. This investigation also noted elevated aluminum levels in some samples.