BBC backtracks as row brews over ‘plastic in tea bags’ programme
‘It is important to stress that no evidence has been found in the studies that tea poses a consumer health risk’
THE BBC has been forced to remove parts of a programme that suggested tea bags leach microplastics into people’s drinks, after doubts were raised about its methodology.
War on Plastic: The Fight Continues, which will air on Tuesday on BBC One, alleged that tea bags from Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley contained high levels of polypropylene, which can survive in the environment for hundreds of years.
The show also originally included footage of researchers from the University of East Anglia conducting an experiment that it said showed “every cup of tea” from these tea bags left plastic particles in the water when boiled.
But the BBC removed the segment after doubts were raised, saying in a statement that “on further investigation, doubts over the replicability and methodology of a microplastic experiment we filmed means we have removed that short section from the film.”
The scientists had been unable to quantify how many plastic particles might make their way into a cup of tea.
Twinings, Tetley and Yorkshire Tea said they would be switching to fully biodegradable tea bags by the end of the year.
The withdrawn segment had preceded mention of a study conducted in 2019 by researchers at Mcgill University in Canada, which found that some plastic-based tea bags, sold by retailers including Starbucks, released 11billion microplastic and 3 billion nanoplastic particles as the tea was brewed.
Dr Tim Bond of the Tea Advisory Panel, which is funded by the tea industry’s trade body, said the Canadian study was flawed and that the amount of plastics found was “minute”.
He added: “It is important to stress that no evidence has been found in the studies referenced, that tea poses a consumer health risk.”
The study looked at tea bags made from nylon and polyethylene terephthalate, unlike most British tea bags, he added. Starbucks told the BBC its tea complied with food standards.
The documentary about the problem of single-use plastic is presented by Hugh Fearnley-whittingstall and Anita Rani.
The BBC said: “War on Plastic: The Fight Continues reflects the fact that it is not yet known if microplastics are a health risk for consumers.”
There is inconclusive research into the impact of microplastics. The World Health Organisation has said particles in drinking water do not appear to pose a risk, but has called for more research.