Introduction:The blue bottle latte and zinc wish latte introduced at the former site of Harbin Harbin Pharmaceutical Sixth Factory incorporate the iconic small blue bottle oral liquid into coffee, sparking discussions about medication safety. Are the combinations of these Class A over-the-counter drugs with caffeine or milk compliant? This article details their potential risks, regulatory basis, and key details consumers should pay attention to.
During this year’s May Day holiday, the former site of Harbin Harbin Pharmaceutical Sixth Factory became a popular attraction due to its resemblance to the Palace of Versailles in France. The newly opened café on the first floor gained even more attention for launching creative beverages—the “Blue Bottle Latte” and “Zinc Wish Latte.” These two drinks respectively contain Harbin Pharmaceutical Group’s calcium gluconate oral liquid and zinc gluconate oral liquid, creating a unique visual and taste experience.
Photos shared by netizens show that the blue bottle latte is made by pouring red syrup as a base, followed by milk and espresso. Then, the staff turns an unopened small blue bottle upside down to let the calcium gluconate oral liquid slowly drip into the cup. The zinc wish latte uses blue syrup as the base and similarly incorporates zinc gluconate oral liquid. This design, which combines childhood memories of nutritional supplements with coffee, has attracted many consumers who once took these oral liquids to try something new.
However, this creative combination has immediately drawn professional scrutiny. The instructions for the calcium gluconate oral liquid explicitly state that “drinking large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages can inhibit calcium absorption,” while the zinc gluconate oral liquid directly indicates “do not take with milk.” Both products are classified as Class A over-the-counter drugs, and according to the Food Safety Law, drugs cannot be added to food, with exceptions only for substances that are traditionally both food and Chinese herbal medicine. Therefore, the café’s practice of directly adding oral liquid to beverages may involve regulatory violations.
Some consumers have reported that the supplement flavor is not noticeable when drinking, and without seeing the staff pour the small blue bottle, it’s hard to detect the presence of medication ingredients. However, people who have taken these oral liquids recall that elders often reminded them, “Don’t drink them with milk.” Now, seeing businesses mix them into lattes inevitably raises concerns about potential health impacts or reduced efficacy.
In response to the controversy, there are reports that the café later adjusted its preparation process, keeping only the empty bottles as decorations. But as of press time, on-site observations found that the entire series of blue bottle drinks had been completely removed from the menu. The official has not yet clarified whether this is a temporary shortage or a permanent discontinuation. Consumers planning to visit the site are advised to check the menu updates in advance.
This incident also serves as a reminder to coffee businesses and consumers that innovative beverage designs must strictly comply with food safety regulations. Especially when combining drugs and food, in addition to considering flavor pairings, the interaction of ingredients and legal risks should also be evaluated. For those who enjoy trying new things, it is also recommended to understand the ingredient information before enjoying special beverages to avoid potential health risks.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
