Hong Kong branches of a big Taiwanese bubble tea chain have stopped selling passion fruit drinks, fearing that they might contain a cancer-causing additive used in plastic. The use of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate as a thickening agent has shocked Taiwan, where the media have reported that DEHP has been used for at least five years. So far more than a million items produced by some 200 food companies have been found to have been tainted. Tea Time House, which sells the popular tea containing 'bubbles' of chewy tapioca pearls, halted sales of passion fruit juice in Hong Kong amid reports that drinks sold at its branches in Taiwan contained DEHP, which is not only a possible cause of cancer, but can damage the liver and kidneys in the long term. Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety confirmed yesterday that officials had collected samples from Tea Time House for testing. The company, which has 23 outlets in Hong Kong, including two shops in Causeway Bay and one in Mong Kok, said ingredients used in Taiwan to make its passion fruit drinks had been found to contain potentially harmful plasticisers - used to make plastic soft and pliable. However, some Tea Time House shops were still selling the drink yesterday. One employee said she was not aware of the ban. The Taiwanese authorities have cracked down on unscrupulous food makers, with three people from an ingredient manufacturer arrested over the weekend. Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, facing a growing scandal that echoes the melamine milk scandal on the mainland in 2008, urged the public to stay calm. The scandal has also hit food products including jelly, bottled drinks, sports drinks and health supplements, prompting recalls by food makers. Reports said the hazardous ingredients had entered the manufacturing chain of some large companies, including Uni-President, one of Taiwan's largest. Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety said yesterday that it would follow up with authorities in Taiwan to check if any other contaminated products had been imported. The centre will continue to send staff to conduct checks on food products in various shops. The potentially harmful additives found so far in Taiwan include diisononyl phthalate and DEHP, plasticisers that are banned in many places. Studies have also shown that long-term intake of the material can damage the reproductive system. Taiwan's Department of Health has ordered the recall of all products that could contain harmful products. At least 40,000kg of juice and jam, 980,000 bottles of tea drinks and more than 2,000 boxes of powdered probiotic products have been recalled. Probiotics include yoghurt. It is feared that some of the drinks could have been exported, including to Hong Kong. The source of the contamination was traced to a Taiwanese chemical company that had business with many large manufacturers. 30 Number of years in jail that Taiwanese prosecutors say those found to have knowingly used the toxic agent would be subject to