New rules limiting the use of green tea extracts in the EU

The European Commission (EC) has presented a draft legal act limiting the use of green tea extracts in food. The current version of the draft Commission Regulation does not provide for a transitional period. INTRODUCTION Several years ago, selected EU Member States and Norway presented studies showing that green tea extract containing epigallocatechin (-) - 3-gallate used in dietary supplements may be hazardous to health. The EC asked EFSA to prepare an opinion in this regard. EFSA concluded that traditionally prepared green tea infusion catechins and reconstituted drinks with an equivalent composition to traditional green tea infusions are generally considered safe under the presumption of safety principle, provided that the consumption corresponds to the reported consumption in the Member States. The average daily intake of (-) - epigallocatechin-3-gallate resulting from the consumption of green tea infusions ranges from 90 to 300 mg / day. EFSA also concluded, based on the ...