Meghan Markle’s As Ever Collaboration With Clevr Blends Faces Renewed Product Safety Questions

Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand As Ever is facing renewed scrutiny after its latest collaboration with Clevr Blends sparked discussion across royal and consumer-focused commentary spaces. The product at the center of the conversation is a strawberry matcha set combining As Ever’s strawberry spread, flower sprinkles, and Clevr’s matcha latte product.

The collaboration was presented as a bright seasonal offering built around simple pleasures and a polished summer lifestyle image. However, the launch quickly became the subject of wider debate because Meghan is not only partnering with Clevr Blends through As Ever, but has also been publicly linked to the company as an investor since 2020.

That connection has led critics to question whether the collaboration gives Meghan a dual benefit: promotion for As Ever while also drawing attention to a company in which she has had a financial interest. In business terms, brand partnerships between connected companies are not unusual. However, when a celebrity figure is involved, transparency and public trust become especially important.

The main point driving the latest conversation is not only the business relationship, but a past legal notice involving Clevr Blends. Online commentators have revived discussion of a 2021 notice connected to California’s Proposition 65 framework. The notice reportedly involved claims related to lead and lead compounds in certain products, including a rose cacao latte item.

It is important to note that the notice was later withdrawn and no final court judgment established wrongdoing. Clevr Blends has previously stated that product quality and safety are top priorities and that the company remained in compliance with California’s Proposition 65. Still, the renewed attention shows how past regulatory or legal questions can resurface whenever a brand enters a new high-profile partnership.

For As Ever, the timing is significant. Meghan’s brand has already faced public debate over pricing, limited product ranges, bundles, and whether its offerings can create long-term consumer loyalty. The strawberry matcha set was likely intended to refresh interest in existing As Ever products by pairing them with a wellness beverage brand already known to Meghan’s audience.

From a marketing perspective, the strategy is clear. A bundle can make older inventory feel new again, especially when connected to a trend like matcha drinks. Strawberry matcha has become popular across cafés and social media, making it a visually appealing choice for a lifestyle brand. The combination of pink, green, florals, and soft summer imagery fits the aesthetic As Ever has tried to build.

However, consumer brands depend on more than aesthetics. Trust matters. When any question involving product safety enters the conversation, even indirectly or through a past withdrawn notice, the brand must rely on clarity, documentation, and direct messaging. That is especially true in the wellness market, where customers expect transparency around ingredients, sourcing, testing, and safety standards.

The debate also highlights a larger issue for celebrity-backed brands. Fame can generate attention, but it can also magnify criticism. A product launch that might otherwise be seen as a simple seasonal bundle can become a broader conversation about past controversies, investor relationships, and brand credibility.

For Meghan, this creates a complicated balance. As Ever needs collaborations to stay visible and commercially active. Yet every partnership brings renewed examination of her business decisions, her public image, and the companies she chooses to align with.

The Clevr Blends collaboration may still appeal to loyal customers who enjoy curated lifestyle products and specialty drinks. But the renewed discussion shows that public perception remains fragile. A polished product photo can attract attention, but questions about safety, transparency, and trust can quickly become the dominant narrative.

At this stage, there is no verified finding that the current strawberry matcha set contains unsafe levels of lead. The central issue is public confidence. As Ever and Clevr Blends may need to rely on clear communication if they want the launch to remain focused on lifestyle appeal rather than past legal questions.

In the end, the story is less about one drink set and more about the pressure facing celebrity brands in a skeptical market. Consumers are no longer only buying an image. They are asking what stands behind it.