Before your next sip: The hidden dangers of roadside chai
Roadside tea, or “chai,” is a staple in Pakistani daily life — but is it safe? Health experts in Karachi are sounding the alarm. Popular street tea vendors may be using industrial-grade sweeteners, excessive baking soda, and contaminated water, putting millions at risk of serious health problems.
What’s in that cup?
According to Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), the unregulated boom of tea stalls in Karachi and beyond is a public health crisis in the making. Key concerns include:
- Industrial sweeteners: Linked to liver damage and cancer risk.
- Baking soda: Disrupts natural acid levels, harms kidneys and stomach lining.
- Unclean water: A leading source of infectious diseases.
- Poor hygiene: Cross-contamination and use of low-quality ingredients.
Expert opinion: A medical call to action
“As a doctor, I urge everyone to question where and how their tea is made,” said Dr. Mehboob Noonari, Chairman of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Sindh.
He emphasized that roadside tea can be a “cocktail of toxins” with long-term effects such as:
- Digestive disorders
- Weakened immune system
- Liver and kidney damage
- Increased cancer risk
He advises consumers to:
✅ Avoid frothy, brightly colored tea
✅ Skip plastic cups
✅ Use minimal sugar
✅ Choose stalls with visible hygiene practices
What needs to be done
To ensure consumer safety, medical experts recommend a multi-pronged approach:
1. Regulation & enforcement
- Establish hygiene standards
- Regular inspections
- Penalize non-compliance
2. Public awareness
- Inform citizens about risks
- Educate vendors on safe practices
3. Ingredient testing
- Examine quality of tea leaves, water, milk, and sweeteners
- Identify and ban harmful additives
4. Provide safe alternatives
- Support hygienic, affordable tea stalls
- Promote filtered water and clean utensils
A consumer reminder
Your health is more valuable than a quick cup of tea. Always prioritize safety and hygiene. If in doubt, bring your own mug, ask questions, and avoid stalls that don’t meet basic cleanliness standards.