Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea), including catechins in green tea and tannins in black tea, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1103, 1276, 1311, 1708, 2664), reduction of acid production in dental plaque (ID 1105, 1111), maintenance of bone (ID 1109), decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms (ID 1116), maintenance of vision (ID 1280), maintenance of normal blood pressure (ID 1546) and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (ID 1113, 1114) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea), including catechins in green tea and tannins in black tea, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, reduction of acid production in dental plaque, maintenance of bone, decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms, maintenance of vision, maintenance of normal blood pressure and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituents that are the subject of the health claims are Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, catechins present in green tea, and epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The Panel considers that whereas Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea) is not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects, catechins in green tea (including EGCG) and tannins in black tea for reduction of acid production in dental plaque are sufficiently characterised