WASHINGTON--After reviewing available scientific data, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to exercise enforcement discretion and allow a qualified health claim stating there is only weak support that consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers.

The decision was part of FDA's Consumer Health for Better Nutrition Initiative, initially announced in mid-2003, under which the agency reviews the state of scientific evidence and determines the extent of qualifiers necessary to allow a health-related claim for food products. Among the claims reviewed under the initiative have been a link between consumption of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and cardiovascular disease, and between olive oil and coronary heart disease.

The two qualified health claims released by the agency on June 30 were:

Two studies do not show that drinking green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer in women, but one weaker, more limited study suggests that drinking green tea may reduce this risk. Based on these studies, FDA concludes that it is highly unlikely that green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer.

and

One weak and limited study does not show that drinking green tea reduces the risk of prostate cancer, but another weak and limited study suggests that drinking green tea may reduce this risk. Based on these studies, FDA concludes that it is highly unlikely that green tea reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

FDA further concluded the evidence did not support qualified health claims for green tea and any other type of cancers.