Recently, a customer at a Sexy Tea store discovered that an employee was actually using a pipette—commonly found in laboratories—to measure milk tea ingredients. The scene was photographed and quickly sparked heated discussion on social media. As precision experimental instruments, pipettes can measure liquids more accurately, but their operating standards are strict, and improper use may pose food safety risks. Many netizens with laboratory experience pointed out that untrained employees operating such equipment risks liquid backflow and contaminated tips, and whether disposable tips meet food-contact standards is also questionable. Opinions continue to clash over whether laboratory instruments can be used in food service settings. [more…]