Adulterated tea on the rise — the cost of cheap tea in Pakistan’s dhabas

KARACHI: In Pakistan, tea is more than just a beverage — it’s an essential part of daily life. But according to investigations and expert reports, this beloved drink has turned into a “silent poison” due to widespread adulteration.

The tea sold particularly at roadside stalls (dhabas) has been found to be extremely harmful to health, with long-term consumption linked to chronic illnesses.

Investigations reveal that the “milk” used in these stalls is often a chemical mixture rather than pure milk. This concoction contains substances like washing powder and other synthetic ingredients to mimic the color and thickness of real milk — chemicals that can have serious health effects.

In May, the Sindh Food Authority inspected 127 tea stalls and dhabas across various areas of Karachi. The findings were alarming: most of them used contaminated and adulterated tea leaves, and only 10 per cent used genuine milk.

Laboratory tests revealed that 80 per cent of milk samples were tainted with chemicals such as detergents, carbonates, salt, sugar, powdered milk, and added water. Additionally, 110 samples of tea leaves were also found to be adulterated.

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According to Sindh Food Authority Director General Asif Jan Siddiqui, the samples were tested at a joint lab operated by Karachi University and the Food Authority. As part of the ongoing crackdown, dozens of people from various districts have been detained for involvement in adulteration.

One such bustling tea stall belongs to Gul Sher in Karachi, which sees heavy footfall daily. Speaking to **Independent Urdu**, he said, “The rush starts after sunset and continues until morning. We make more than 4,000 cups of tea a day, using a strong Quetta-style blend.” He insisted that he uses real milk. “If our tea was adulterated, there wouldn’t be this much demand — we sell taste.”

However, a shopkeeper, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted he uses formula milk instead of pure milk due to cost. “Customers want cheap tea, and real milk is expensive,” he said.

Dr Syed Muhammad Ghufran Saeed, Associate Professor at the University of Karachi’s Department of Food Science and Technology and an investigator with the Food Authority, told Independent Urdu: “We tested samples of both milk and tea leaves. We found that baking soda and antibiotics were being mixed into the milk, while synthetic dyes were added to the tea leaves. Used tea leaves are also being dried and mixed with fresh ones — a cheap but harmful practice.”

He warned, “The effects of adulterated tea take time to show, but eventually lead to digestive issues, acidity, ulcers, and even cancer. The dyes used, such as azo dyes, are industrial chemicals meant for textiles and plastics. These disrupt blood cell production and significantly increase the risk of deadly diseases like cancer when consumed over time.”

So how can one tell if tea is adulterated?

Professor Ghufran explained, “In our region, people associate real milk with foam, so detergents are added to create it. When the tea is whipped, it forms a thick layer of foam, which is actually a sign of adulteration.”

Clinical dietitian and nutritionist Sana Asfar from Aga Khan Hospital told **Independent Urdu**: “The chemicals in tea affect the digestive system, liver, and kidneys, especially damaging the stomach lining, causing ulcers and complex diseases. Artificial additives also increase toxic buildup in the body, posing serious health risks.”

Dr. Sana added: “There’s a common belief here that tea relieves headaches and fatigue, but that’s mostly psychological comfort. In reality, two cups of homemade tea per day are sufficient for good health.”

When asked about this issue, most citizens admitted they were unaware. Young people said drinking multiple cups at dhabas was a daily norm. While some complained of acidity, others said they’d been drinking such tea for years without any apparent harm.

Bilal Khan, 35, from Karachi, is a self-proclaimed tea addict. He drinks more than seven cups daily, mostly at tea stalls with friends. “Drinking tea has become like an addiction,” he said. “If the taste seems off, I just switch stalls — but I still drink it. The flavor of roadside tea has become a habit.”