July 2005

FDA weighs in on green tea and certain cancers

Under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Consumer Health for Better Nutrition Initiative, the agency is announcing the results of a review of qualified health claims that green tea may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Based on a systematic evaluation of the available scientific data, the FDA concludes that it is highly unlikely that green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer or prostate cancer. The FDA intends to consider exercising its enforcement discretion for qualified health claims related to the effect of green tea on cancer risks.

The FDA also concluded that existing evidence does not support qualified health claims for green tea consumption and a reduced risk of any other type of cancer.

Guidance on qualified health claims for conventional foods and dietary supplements was issued by the FDA in July 2003. The Agency will continue to evaluate new information that becomes available to determine whether changes in these claims, or in the decision, are necessary.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov.

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