Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlFood TypeRegulatoryChemicalIngredientsInternational Standards/Harmonization

Due to Risk of Liver Damage, EU Limits Green Tea Extract with EGCG in Foods

By Bailee Henderson
dried green tea leaf in spoon

Credit: Tara Winstead (tara-winstead) via Pexels

December 7, 2022

New EU legislation restricts the amount of green tea extract containing (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that can be present in food and sets new labeling requirements. EGCG is a catechin, which are flavinols that may lead to liver damage. 

Catechins, of which EGCG is the most common type, are found naturally in the leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, the plant that is processed into green tea. A 2018 scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that consumption of EGCG exceeding 800 milligrams per day (mg/day) may increase the likelihood of liver damage when taken as a food supplement. EFSA’s determination was based on studies that revealed a statistically significant increase of serum transaminases, which are indicative of liver injury, in subjects given EGCG supplements. 

Despite containing EGCG, it is considered generally safe to consume catechins from traditionally prepared green tea infusions and reconstituted drinks with an equivalent composition. Among the adult population in the EU, the mean daily intake of EGCG from the consumption of green tea infusions ranges from 90–300 mg/day, while those who ingest EGCG supplemented products may consume an estimated 866 mg EGCG/day. Food supplements containing green tea catechins provide a daily dose of EGCG in the range of 5–1,000 mg/day, according to EFSA.

In its opinion, EFSA could not provide advice on a dietary intake of green tea catechins due to the varied chemical composition of catechins, including EGCG, affected by plant variety, growing conditions, and other factors. Additionally, there are uncertainties on how the composition of extracted catechins and other substances used to prepare green tea extracts is influenced by manufacturing procedures. 

Based on EFSA’s opinion, the European Commission amended Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 to establish new limits for EGCG in foods. The legislation suggests a daily intake level of EGCG from green tea extracts at 800 mg/day, but recommends studies be conducted to determine a dose-response of hepatotoxicity of green tea catechins, and examine inter- and intra-species variability. The compound will be further reviewed within the EU, and the permitted daily dose may be changed within four years.

According to the new rules, a daily serving of green tea extract in foods and supplements must contain less than 800 mg of EGCG, and the label must state that the total daily amount of 800 mg must not be exceeded. Also based on findings from EFSA’s scientific opinion, the amended regulation requires labels on products supplemented with EGCG to provide warnings for children under 18 years of age, pregnant people, or lactating people, and should also caution against consuming the product on an empty stomach or within the same day as other products containing green tea.

The legislation does not apply to infusions of green tea that have been brewed in a traditional way, or prepared drinks with aqueous extracts of green tea containing EGCG that have a comparable composition to traditionally brewed infusions. Additionally, there are different regulations that apply to EGCG as a purified extract of green tea leaves, which is an approved new food. Goods using purified extract containing at least 90 percent EGCG are subject to Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, rather than the present legislation.

The amendment allows for a six-month transition period for producers of products supplemented with EGCG. Dietary supplements or other foods that do not comply with the new requirements, but were legally placed on the market before the change came into force, may remain on the market until June 21, 2023.


KEYWORDS: EFSA EGCG EU European Commission flavinoids green tea extract labeling requirements regulations

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Baileehendersonmay23

Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Microbiological
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Food Prep/Handling
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    International
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Image of produce being washed on a conveyor belt in a facility

Science in Action: How Nanobubbles Are Advancing Food Safety Standards

FoodSafetyMattersFinal-900x550-(002).jpg

Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education

Students returning their lunch trays in a cafeteria

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • goat on a farm

    Rates of Non-Compliance With EU Veterinary Drug Residue Limits Remain Minimal in Food Animals

    See More
  • unprocessed wheat grains

    EU Sets New Limits for Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol in Unprocessed Grains, Among Other Foods

    See More
  • anchovies in tin open on a plate with fork in tin

    EU Sets Limits for PFAS in Certain Foods

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing