Hong Kong consumer watchdog detects poor thermal quality in some travel mugs
Consumer Council tests 18 models and finds some failed to keep drinks warm, with hot water cooling nearly 70 degrees Celsius in six hours
Some travel mugs tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog failed to keep drinks warm, with hot water cooling by nearly 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) in just six hours.
The Consumer Council tested 18 models of travel mugs available in the city, according to its monthly report released on Wednesday, and found that their thermal insulation efficacy varied significantly.
The consumer watchdog tested the mugs by adding water no cooler than 95 degrees into the vessels and leaving the liquid in for six hours. Within that time, it found that the contents of three plastic models dipped nearly 70 degrees to about room temperature.
Water in an Oolab mug dropped to 29 degrees, in RICOCAFE to 27 degrees, and in elephant cuppa to 26.3 degrees.
Two stainless steel models – the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler and the NOC x MiiR Flip Traveler Tumbler – were both able to maintain water temperature above 60 degrees.
The remaining 13 models maintained water temperature at between 41.7 and 60 degrees.
Jack Poon Sik-ching, convenor of the watchdog’s advisory group on digital economy and information technology, said: “If food is stored at an unsuitable temperature for prolonged periods, there is a chance that germs may breed and thrive. If a food or beverage with a large amount of germs is ingested, it may lead to discomfort such as stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting.”
