Quick Answer
Whether bubble tea is vegan depends on the milk, creamer and toppings: tapioca pearls are made mainly from tapioca starch; milk tea made with fresh milk, or with creamer containing milk ingredients such as casein, is not vegan; and some pudding and jelly toppings may contain egg or animal-based ingredients. Under Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare rules on vegetarian claims for packaged food (in force since 1 July 2009), packaged foods claiming to be vegetarian must state one of five labels: vegan, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian or “five pungent” vegetarian. Always check each product’s ingredients and vegetarian label.
Taiwan’s 5 Vegetarian Labels
| Label | Definition |
|---|---|
| Vegan (pure vegetarian) | Purely plant-based food without the five pungent plants (green onion, garlic, chives, shallots and asafoetida) |
| Ovo-vegetarian | Vegan plus egg products |
| Lacto-vegetarian | Vegan plus dairy products |
| Lacto-ovo vegetarian | Vegan plus dairy and egg products |
| “Five pungent” vegetarian | Plant-based food that includes the five pungent plants |
Under the rules, a product may not simply say “suitable for vegetarians”; incorrect or false labeling can be penalized under Taiwan’s Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
How to Check Each Bubble Tea Ingredient
| Ingredient | What to check |
|---|---|
| Tapioca pearls | Mainly tapioca starch; see What Is Tapioca Starch? Still check the product’s ingredients |
| Tea | Tea leaves are plant-based |
| Fresh milk | Dairy |
| Creamer | Some creamers contain milk ingredients such as casein; see What Is Non-Dairy Creamer? |
| Syrups | Check the ingredients |
| Pudding, milk foam | May contain egg or milk |
| Jelly toppings | Depends on the gelling agent: gelatin is animal-based, while agar and konjac are plant-based |
Note: although creamer is often described as “plant-based milk”, it may contain milk protein, so vegans should read the ingredient label.
How Shops Can Offer Vegan Options
- Get ingredient data from suppliers and confirm the vegetarian category of each ingredient.
- Build a vegetarian chart showing which drinks are vegan, lacto-vegetarian or lacto-ovo vegetarian.
- Use plant milks such as oat milk or soy milk for plant-based milk tea.
- Avoid cross-contact: use separate tools when vegan customers care about it.
Export and Private Label
Packaged foods claiming to be vegetarian must follow the labeling rules; for export, follow the destination country’s vegetarian or plant-based labeling rules. See Packaged Food Labeling Rules and What Is Halal Certification?
How Tang Sugar Can Help
Tang Sugar can provide product specifications and ingredient information to help stores determine vegetarian categories. Please contact us.
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FAQ
Is bubble tea vegan?
It depends on the milk, creamer and toppings. Milk tea made with fresh milk or creamer containing milk ingredients is not vegan; vegans can choose plant milk alternatives.
Are tapioca pearls vegan?
Tapioca pearls are made mainly from tapioca starch, but recipes vary by product, so check the ingredients and vegetarian label.
What are Taiwan’s vegetarian labels?
Under Ministry of Health and Welfare rules there are five: vegan, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian and “five pungent” vegetarian.
Is non-dairy creamer vegan?
Some creamers contain milk ingredients such as casein and are therefore dairy; check the product’s ingredient label.
Further Reading
- What Is Non-Dairy Creamer?
- Food Allergen Labeling Rules
- How Are Tapioca Pearls Made?
- How Many Calories Are in Bubble Tea?
- Request samples
Sources
- Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare: Check the vegetarian label when shopping (in Chinese)
- Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare: Inspection results after the five vegetarian labels took effect (in Chinese)
- SGS: Vegetarian labeling rules and testing services (in Chinese)
