The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has issued a consumer safety alert calling for the immediate withdrawal of select glass drinking cups from Flying Tiger Copenhagen, citing potential health risks linked to elevated levels of heavy metals.

In a social media post, the Ministry urged consumers to stop using 220ml glass drinking cups sold under the Flying Tiger brand during 2024 and 2025. The directive follows findings that the external print on the products contains elevated levels of lead and cadmium, substances that may pose risks to consumer health.

The Ministry further advised consumers to dispose of the affected products immediately, reiterating its ongoing efforts to monitor local markets and enforce compliance with safety and quality standards.

The UAE action aligns with a broader global recall issued by Flying Tiger Copenhagen, which has identified six types of 220ml drinking glasses that exceed European Union safety limits for food contact materials due to lead and cadmium content in their exterior decoration.

According to the company’s official notice, all batches of the following products are affected:

• Glass drinking 220ml single flowers mixed colors (item no. 3060031), sold since January 2025
• Glass drinking 220ml pumpkin print (item no. 3057450), sold since August 2024
• Glass drinking 220ml oranges (item no. 3062993), sold since May 2025
• Glass 220ml drinking with small red hearts (item no. 3052986), sold since January 2024
• Glass drinking 220ml strawberry (item no. 3053912), sold since February 2024
• Glass drinking 220ml lemons yellow (item no. 3055350), sold since May 2024

The retailer has instructed customers to stop using the products and return them to the nearest store for a full refund, with no receipt required.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen stated that the issue stems from a failure by a former supplier to meet its compliance standards, noting that the company is acting swiftly to remove non-compliant products from circulation. The company apologised for the inconvenience and emphasised its commitment to product safety and regulatory adherence.

The development highlights the increasing scrutiny on consumer product safety in the UAE, particularly for imported goods. Authorities continue to strengthen oversight mechanisms and coordinate with international manufacturers to ensure that products in the domestic market meet global safety benchmarks.