ID 3280 -
Herbata
PL: Herbata
EN: Camelia sinensis (Common Name : Tea)
Pdf: Camellia sinensis
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, catechins present in green tea, green tea extract and epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
The plant Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze is an evergreen shrub of the Theaceae family. Tea is an extract of the dried leaves from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and it is usually prepared by infusing the leaves in hot water. The composition of the tea leaves depends on a variety of factors, including climate, season, horticultural practices, and the type and age of the plant. Many kinds of tea are produced. These teas can be classified into three major types according to the different levels of fermentation: green (un-fermented), oolong (semi-fermented) and black (fully fermented) (Wang et al., 2000).
The composition of tea beverages greatly depends on the type of leaves used, on the degree of fermentation and on the methods of preparation (Astill et al., 2001; Kaszkin et al., 2004). The degree of fermentation, the production process and the method for preparing the tea infusion have not been described in relation to the claims.
Green tea contains polyphenolic compounds, which include flavonoids, such as flavanols and flavandiols, and phenolic acids. Most of the polyphenols in green tea are catechins. Epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. In black teas, the most abundant polyphenols are tannins, mainly theaflavin and thearubigin (Astill et al., 2001; Kaszkin et al., 2004). Tea extracts/infusions also contain variable amounts of potentially active food constituents, such as caffeine, theanine or theogallin. From the references provided it was not possible to characterise the specific green tea or green tea extract for which the claims are made.
Green tea catechins (including EGCG) can be measured in foods by established methods.
The Panel considers that whereas Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea) and green tea extract are not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects, catechins in green tea (including EGCG) are sufficiently characterised.
2.10. Ożywienie ciała (ID 1274, 3280)
The claimed effect is “invigoration of the body”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect is not sufficiently defined and no further details were provided in the proposed wording. No clarifications were provided by Member States.
The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non-specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
Traditional use of the leaf / Infusion: 2,5 g in 150 mL water, many times daily / Equivalent quantity in extract
