I was reading an interesting report in the World Tea News about the various studies that are currently being conducted to further document the health benefits of tea. Dr. Jeff Blumberg has been heading up the International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human 
Health which brings researchers from around the globe sharing their findings. The December issue of the Journal of Clinical Nutrition actually reports on 12 studies which all document the profound health benefits of tea.
“These new peer-reviewed papers add to the previously-published body of evidence that shows that tea can improve human health—both physically and psychologically,” added Blumberg. “Humans have been drinking tea for some 5,000 years, dating back to the Paleolithic period. Modern research is providing the proof that there are real health benefits to gain from enjoying this ancient beverage.”
So here’s my question for all of you. Why isn’t the FDA willing to accept and acknowledge the basic premise that tea has health benefits? What is the U.S. Tea Association doing toward that end? As we’ve seen over the years, tea companies continue to be sanctioned by the FDA for making claims about the health benefits of tea on their web sites. What do we, the tea drinkers and tea lovers in America, need to do to influence the decision makers at the FDA? How can we right this wrong and help to send this important health message to people around the country? You can hardly pick up a magazine without reading something about ways to improve your health. There’s not much that can be easier than shifting away from high sugar beverages and replacing it with TEA. Can’t we brainstorm together to get this done? I look forward to hearing some brilliant ideas from the T Ching community.
Interesting you should bring this up, Michelle. It is ironic that the FDA and its minions are “punishing” beverage producers for making claims on labels – see tomorrow’s post – but will not acknowledge tea’s proven benefits. How do you suggest we stand up to the FDA?
I wish I knew. Perhaps a petition might have some value. I’m hoping others may have some reasonable ideas. Let’s try to think “outside the box”. (what “box”, my mentor used to say:)
A petition is a good idea. Maybe one in every tea shop and herbalist’s office! A postcard campaign would be good, too. Who would I address it to? I’m thinking if the FDA got a hundred thousand postcards, they’d . . . need help getting them out of the box!
why talk of FDA alone – it is worldwide that container loads of tea are scuttled around for some minor reason or other as suited to that countries ruling class, political system, multinationals or tea vendors themselves..I have never heard anyone being killed by tea..let us fight it out
There is a way to contribute suggestions from industry experts. It’s a long process from suggesting, due diligence, to regulation implementation. the only ones motivated to keep on top of it are large companies that can afford a team of food scientists and food regulation employees. I look forward to getting involved in this type of activity with Tealet (www.tealet.com) Don’t expect to see anything happen for five years.
Perhaps if we get some comments and interest here, we can start a petition on T Ching. Let’s see how others feel about this.
Thanks for your support.
The five years that Elyse speaks of need to begin now, or it’s going to be seven years. Back at you, Elyse: what can I do, right now, to effect this change?
My understanding Elyse is that the FDA has been given the necessary research findings to draw appropriate conclusions about the health benefits of tea. Rather than looking to the large companies, who have their own agendas, why not the medical/research people. Don’t they have a moral/ethical obligation to right a wrong – given the strength of their research? Couldn’t they challenge the FDA ruling? Until the agenda of the FDA is to protect and aide the American people, they will not approve tea. GMO’s on the other hand, sure, why not let our people eat them even though NO other first world country allows them, unlabeled, into their country. It’s pathetic and scary that such a tragedy continues in this country. GMO’s need to be proven harmful but TEA needs to be proven beneficial……..what’s wrong with this picture?
I had a conversation with Joe Simrany, the former President of the U.S. Tea Association. He told me, years ago, that the association was in dialogue with the FDA about this. It appears they were not successful in this arena.
Lipton, Unilever rolled out a campaign that I was involved in (presenting to the media/press who attended, in hopes that Lipton would gain some ink from this ) in their Tea Can Do That initiative; so they were moving toward trying to get recognition from the drinking community at large about the health benefits of tea; dont know what happened to the momentum on that…..they are the kind of multinational company who needs to take the lead, even if we tea drinkers snub our noses at drinking bagged Lipton tea…..