This process was repeated seven times per cup.

The cups were filled with a hot, slightly acidic liquid (akin to coffee) and left for two hours. So, when the Stiftung Warentest testers simulated the process of adding coffee to the cups, they made a concerning discovery. And these cups are being specifically marketed for hot drinks. One of these conditions, however, is that it is kept under 70 degrees celsius. Still, as long as certain conditions are met, melamine resin is not considered a dangerous substance. Melamine is suspected of causing damage to the bladder and kidneys, while formaldehyde is a known irritant and can even cause cancer if inhaled. With descriptions such as “bamboo mug” or “made from bamboo fibres”, producers gloss over the fact that the cups are made from a powder of finely-ground bamboo fibres that are then glued together.Īll of the cups tested contained melamine resin, a kind of plasticky glue made from formaldehyde and melamine.

Testing 12 different bamboo cup brands, Stiftung Warentest found that buyers are generally given the impression that they are buying natural products. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that the Stiftung Warentest, a reputable consumer organisation that investigates and compares goods on the German market, has warned people to “keep hands off bamboo cups” and opt for other reusable drinks containers instead. Stiftung Warentest: “Keep your hands off bamboo cups”īamboo cups are officially in vogue: a much-lauded alternative to disposable coffee cups, which are responsible for 36.000 tonnes of waste per year, these “natural” cups are marketed as being environmentally-friendly, ecological and biodegradable. You might think you’re doing your bit for the environment by using a bamboo cup - but new research by German consumer group Stiftung Warentest has shown that you might be risking your health in the process.

Wow keep your hands off the goods