The US Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) says two leading makers of green-tea beverages are going too far with health claims for their drinks. The agency issued warning letters to Canada Dry, producer of Sparkling Green Tea Ginger Ale, and Unilever, maker of Lip-ton Green Tea. According to the FDA, the fortified ginger ale fails to meet gov-ernment requirements to claim that its enhanced with 200 mg of antioxidants from green tea and vitamin C. More-over, the agency does not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods such as carbonated beverages. In its letter to Unilever, the FDA also cited antioxidant labeling claims on Lipton Green Tea, as well as a company website touting four studies that show cholesterol benefits from tea. That suggests Lipton tea is designed to treat or prevent disease, the agency warned-a regulatory no-no. Both firms said they would work with the FDA to address the issue
