September 25, 2005

The FDA issued a letter in response to a petition claiming that consumption of green tea reduces the risk of a variety of cancers. The letter follows a thorough review of scientific literature including meta-analyses, reviews, and laboratory studies. According to the letter, there is no credible evidence to support claims that green tea reduces risk of gastric, esophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, and combined cancers. It also states that green tea is ’highly unlikely’ to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers.