FDA Issues Warning Letters About Green Tea Product Health Claims

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the presidents of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Unilever, Inc. warning them that their green tea products are misbranded because they make nutritional or health-related claims in violation of federal law. Specifically, FDA takes issue with antioxidant claims used to promote Canada Dry Sparkling Green Tea Ginger Ale® and the cholesterol-lowering claims used to promote Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated®. According to FDA, ginger ale, as a carbonated beverage, is a snack food that may not be fortified, and therapeutic claims make green tea a drug requiring the agency’s pre-marketing approval. The letters call for corrective action and a response.