Award Banner
Award Banner

Bubble tea operators updating menus in line with Nutri-Grade label requirements

Bubble tea operators updating menus in line with Nutri-Grade label requirements
Drink toppings such as pearls, jellies, ice cream and whipped cream must also be labelled with a declaration of their sugar content.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE — Bubble tea operators are putting the finishing touches on their reformulated drinks and menus as the deadline for the roll-out of a mandatory nutrition labelling scheme for freshly prepared beverages draws near.

By Dec 30, food and beverage outlets selling freshly prepared drinks such as juices, smoothies, bubble tea, and coffee, will have to carry Nutri-Grade labels on their physical and online menus. Drink toppings such as pearls, jellies, ice cream and whipped cream must be labelled with a declaration of their sugar content. The Nutri-Grade mark for pre-packed beverages kicked in from Dec 30, 2022.

The Nutri-Grade system comprises colour-coded grades from A to D, with D containing the highest sugar and/or saturated fat content. Drinks that are graded D are not allowed to be advertised.

So far, only one out of five bubble tea chains that The Sunday Times spoke to has rolled out the nutrition labelling on its menus.

Two out of five of the operators said that the bulk of their drinks are expected to be labelled B and C, while one is in a last-minute rush to tweak its recipes in a bid to reduce the number of drinks graded D.

For drinks operators that offer customisable options for their beverages — like bubble tea chains that give customers the choice of a sugar level between 0 per cent and 100 per cent — a drink's Nutri-Grade rating will be based on the highest sugar content offered, which is 100 per cent sugar.

In doing so, consumers will be advised on the maximum amount of sugar they could potentially consume and can make more informed choices, said the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board in response to industry feedback in February.

The authorities also hope the industry would be encouraged to reduce the maximum amount of sugar and saturated fat in the drinks.

For operators who do not offer a range of customisation options for their drinks, a beverage's Nutri-Grade rating is based on the default preparation.

LiHo, which has 88 outlets islandwide, has implemented the Nutri-Grade labels on its menus since the second quarter of 2023. Out of its 27 drinks, three are rated B, 12 are rated C, and 12 are rated D.

Aqilah Aziz, senior marketing executive at LiHo parent company Royal T Group, said that some health-conscious customers have switched to drinks in the lower-sugar grades with the roll-out of the Nutri-Grade ratings for freshly prepared drinks.

LiHo is also planning to replace its current menu with reformulated drinks by the second week of December. With the new menu of 41 drinks, there will be seven drinks in the D category, 25 labelled C, and nine rated B.

"We went through a round of reformulation to ensure that most of our drinks are not in the D category because we would face a lot of restrictions in promotions… We reduced the sugar content of our drinks' sugar levels, and cut sugar out from raw ingredients," said Aqilah.

Heytea Singapore brand director Jonathan Chan said the brand is still in the midst of reformulation, and the gradings for its drinks are still being finalised.

The brand is making a concerted push to bring its most sugary drinks in the D grade down to at least a C grade.

Heytea has five outlets across Singapore, and about 30 drinks on its menu.

Many of its drinks also come with standard toppings, which are counted towards the drink's Nutri-Grade rating. For example, its Very Grape Crystal drink contains Kyoho grapes and crystal pudding.

"We usually recommend toppings that pair well with the drink itself, and because of that, reformulation is tough… If we take away the topping, can we fulfil the consumer experience that we hold dear to? That's something we still have to toy with," said Chan.

PlayMade senior marketing manager Stephanie Soo said that the brand has completed its reformulation, and is planning to bring out the menu with Nutri-Grade labels before the deadline, though she did not specify when.

Most of PlayMade's drinks will be in the B and C grade, with some rated A.

"Besides adjusting our sugar levels, we also offer alternatives like sugar substitutes to ensure we can retain as much of our tea taste that customers have been enjoying," added Soo.

The brand has more than 40 drinks on its menu, and will have 22 outlets by December.

Read Also
singapore
Cultured or not? Vitagen taunts Yakult over 'D' Nutri-Grade rating, draws brutal comments

But some bubble tea chains like Each-a-Cup and Gong Cha have opted to make only minor tweaks to their recipes, in order to preserve the taste that their consumers are familiar with.

They also maintain that customers already have the choice of healthier beverages, by opting for lower sugar levels.

Each-a-Cup business development manager Ivan Chua said that most of the brand's more than 115 drinks will be in the C and D categories.

It will not be feasible to reduce the sugar content of the drinks' sugar levels to meet healthier Nutri-Grade ratings as the change would be too drastic, said Chua.

"For example, a 100 per cent sugar level is probably about 30g of sugar, we can't cut it all the way to 15g for instance," he said, adding that the sugar content for the other sugar levels like 70 per cent, 50 per cent and 20 per cent will all be impacted if changes were to be made for one.

"That could mean a drink with 50 per cent sugar level will taste like that of 20 per cent sugar level or even as though there's no sugar added," said Chua, adding that consumers would not be used to it.

Gong Cha Asia-Pacific chief executive Danny Lee concurred, saying that major reformulation could completely alter the taste of a drink.

The brand only made slight modifications to a few of its sweetest drinks.

Of its menu of some 30 beverages, there are three Ds, nine Bs, and the rest are Cs.

"There are two kinds of people. Some are very serious about their nutrition and would not even come to a bubble tea store. So if you have bubble tea, you already know that it's an indulgence, and you have the chance to reduce the sugar level to that of your choice," said Lee, adding that seven in 10 of Gong Cha's customers choose sugar levels of 50 per cent or below.

PHOTO: The Straits Times

ALSO READ: Bubble tea, fruit juices, fresh coffee must display sugar level from end of 2023

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

homepage

trending

trending
    Hong Kong actor Lee Lung Kei still plans to marry fiancee 37 years younger after her release from prison
    2 Taiwanese men allegedly part of a crime syndicate charged with cheating
    AI and art: Studio Ghibli-inspired trend sparks debate on ethics and consent
    Edwin Goh proposes to Rachel Wan, both returning to Singapore after 2 years in Australia
    'My brain got so fried up': Gurmit Singh hit by anxiety attack while acting in his 1st Chinese drama
    How do Trump's tariffs affect you? Here is an explainer
    2 GRCs and 1 SMC: This Woodlands junction separates 3 electoral divisions
    The iconic Milo Van beverage is now available in supermarkets
    21 men in Singapore among 435 arrested in cross-border operation targeting online child sex abuse
    Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical to make Asia premiere in Singapore this December
    What happens next after South Korea's removal of President Yoon?
    Singapore and Malaysia police's video collaboration for Hari Raya goes viral

Singapore

Singapore
    • Singapore deploys 34-member emergency medical team to aid Myanmar quake relief efforts
    • PPP's Goh Meng Seng says MPs work 'extra hard' only before elections for votes, Baey Yam Keng hits back
    • 'She should be with her family': Employer gives maid plane ticket, $800 to return to Myanmar and search for missing mum
    • 'Don't cheat, don't be greedy': Elderly couple in their 90s share secret to longevity with DPM Heng in viral clip
    • Clean-up underway for oil leak from Johor; public advised to avoid water activities at Changi and Pasir Ris beaches
    • Online voting not feasible due to 'voter impersonation' risks: ELD
    • Singapore disappointed with tariffs, will engage US to clarify calculations: DPM Gan
    • 'He needed something to help him fight,' says man who bought Hokkien mee for dying patient
    • MaNaDr admits to lapses, introduces 1-minute minimum teleconsultation rule
    • New bus interchanges in Woodleigh and Pasir Ris to open in late April

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'I was right there just 3cm behind her': Exo's Kai recalls joys of simple life during military service, meeting commuter checking him out online
    • E-Junkies: The Click Five will consider making new music if upcoming tour goes well
    • Former NCT idol Lucas to make acting debut in Taiwan
    • 'Blessed beyond measure': Desmond Tan and wife expecting second child
    • Jean-Claude Van Damme accused of having sex with trafficked women
    • Jim Carrey pays tribute to Val Kilmer's 'grace and courage'
    • Val Kilmer reportedly discussed reprising his role as Batman before his death
    • Sum 41 releases final music video before splitting up
    • Probe finds former Smap idol Masahiro Nakai committed sexual assault, victim says 'What I've lost will never be recovered'
    • Gossip mill: Chantalle Ng dating longtime friend, ex-TVB actress now sells chicken feet, Leslie Cheung's partner pays tribute on his 22nd death anniversary

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • A first look: Blue Bottle Coffee's cafe at Raffles City, here's what to expect
    • Life-sized dinosaurs, pre-historic plants: Gardens by the Bay to transform into Jurassic World this May
    • 'The menu is a reflection of us': Singaporean woman and American husband open restaurant selling soul food
    • Life after death: Guide to be launched to help parent caregivers plan for autistic children's future
    • Hyundai Santa Fe review: Rugged-looking premium SUV levels up the luxury for Hyundai
    • What to do this weekend (April 4 to 6)
    • Long-range cruiser: GAC E9 luxury MPV with over 1,000km of range now in Singapore
    • Deepal officially arrives in Singapore with opening of new showroom
    • We ask parents how they keep their children's screen time low - here's the lowdown
    • The best new-launch condo layouts we've seen so far in 2025

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag
    • Games in April: RPGs, racing and Ronaldo in a fighting game
    • Is it time to get a MacBook at a good price? The M4 MacBook Air says yes
    • China's Baidu launches 2 new AI models as industry competition heats up
    • China's top universities expand enrolment to beef up capabilities in AI, strategic areas
    • International Women's Day: Meet the Singapore women levelling up in gaming
    • US indicts slew of alleged Chinese hackers, sanctions company over spy campaign
    • Meet the women powering innovation in tech in Singapore and beyond

Money

Money
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • Trump's tariffs provoke trade war threats, fears of pricier iPhones
    • Australia says US tariffs 'not act of a friend' but rules out reciprocal move
    • South Korea's acting president calls for talks with US over tariffs
    • Southeast Asian nations, hit particularly hard by US tariffs, prep for talks with Trump
    • China urges US to immediately lift tariffs, vows retaliation
    • Trump's tariffs stoke global trade war as China and EU vow response
    • HDB to launch 3,000 balance flats in July 2025: What homebuyers need to know
    • With 61 years left on its lease, this Bishan maisonette matches national record at $1.5m
    • Why are homebuyers choosing pricier new launch 2-bedders over resale options in 2025?

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: Singapore and Malaysia police's video collaboration for Hari Raya goes viral — and other top stories today
  • Myanmar junta chief meets foreign leaders in Bangkok as earthquake toll tops 3,100
  • Russian drone barrage hits Kharkiv homes, kills 4 people
  • Trump offers support to French far-right leader Le Pen after her conviction
  • For Trump, tariff gamble brings political risk
  • South Korea's President Yoon ousted
  • Driver of car in Amsterdam explosion may have been attempting suicide, police say
  • Netanyahu may visit US next week, Trump says
  • South Korea's impeached President Yoon faces court ruling to decide his fate

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Thai woman struggles to evacuate during earthquake while her dog sleeps unfazed
  • Workers painting exterior of Geylang block discover man's skeletal remains in flat
  • 'New, younger' PAP team vows to reclaim WP-controlled Sengkang GRC, says Lam Pin Min
  • New face Jackson Lam 'very good on the ground' and will be asset to Parliament, says Shanmugam
  • Woman who publicised tips on how she evaded GST for luxury purchases fined $18k
  • Powerful quake in Southeast Asia kills several, 81 trapped in Bangkok building rubble
  • Dog dies after being skinned alive in Malaysia, animal welfare group condemns 'barbaric' act
  • Blue for seafood, red for meat: Case partners Koufu to have colour-coded price labels at 'cai fan' stalls
  • WP will campaign for 'responsible and loyal opposition' in GE2025 to earn seats in Parliament, says Pritam
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.