Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Green tea is derived from the unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis, preserving high levels of polyphenolic catechins—primarily epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)—and is used globally as a beverage, natural flavouring, antioxidant, and concentrated food supplement ingredient. It is distinct from black and oolong teas in that it undergoes no fermentation, retaining higher catechin content.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Traditional green tea infusions are generally considered safe at habitually consumed levels (mean EGCG 90–300 mg/day in adults). However, concentrated food supplements providing ≥800 mg EGCG/day have been shown in clinical trials to induce statistically significant increases in serum liver enzymes, and rare idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity cases have been reported even below this dose. Green tea also contains naturally occurring caffeine, requiring caution in pregnant women, infants, children, and caffeine-sensitive individuals.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Restricted	Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2340, adopted 30 November 2022 under Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, mandates EGCG content labelling per serving on all green tea food supplements; EFSA concluded ≥800 mg EGCG/day from supplements may cause liver damage. Traditional infusions prepared in a conventional manner are considered generally safe. C. sinensis is listed in the EFSA Compendium of Botanicals of possible concern.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Regulated under FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.10 (Beverages). Green Tea must be exclusively derived from Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, free from added colouring matter and harmful substances; natural flavours permitted with label declaration. Specific health benefit claims require prior FSSAI approval under FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals) Regulations.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Green tea extract is GRAS for use as an antioxidant and flavouring in foods (GRAS notices GRN-225, GRN-259, GRN-772); no specific maximum daily intake established for traditional infusion use. The intended use as an antioxidant is not subject to premarket approval under section 409 of the FD&C Act.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — Green tea contains naturally occurring caffeine and high-dose EGCG supplements have no established safety data in pregnant women; excessive caffeine intake is associated with adverse foetal outcomes.

Lactation — Caffeine transfers into breast milk and catechin exposure via supplements has not been evaluated in breastfeeding women; moderate infusion consumption is likely acceptable but supplements should be avoided.

Infants — No intervention studies have been conducted in infants; caffeine content and concentrated catechins are inappropriate and potentially harmful for this age group.

Children — EFSA estimated mean EGCG exposure from brewed tea starts at 5 mg/day in toddlers; concentrated supplements have not been evaluated for safety in children and should be avoided.

Liver Disease — EFSA (2018) and UK COT (2024) identified that green tea catechin supplements at ≥800 mg EGCG/day cause statistically significant liver enzyme elevations, and rare idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity has been reported; those with pre-existing liver disease face heightened risk.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. GRAS Notice GRN No. 259 — Catechins from Green Tea Extract. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
2other. Statement on the Hepatotoxicity of Green Tea Catechins: Lay Summary — UK Committee on Toxicity (COT), 2024. cot.food.gov.uk
3other. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2340 of 30 November 2022 amending Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as regards green tea catechins, 2022. eur-lex.europa.eu
4EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the safety of green tea catechins, 2018. efsa.europa.eu
5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Chapter 2.10: Beverages (Tea), 2011. fssai.gov.in

Independently researched5 citations