FDA tells Canada Dry and Lipton to stop making green tea health claims

The makers of Lipton and Canada Dry were sent warnings by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the claims they've been making about the health benefits of green tea products are violating federal laws.

Unilever, which owns the Lipton brand, and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, owner of Canada Dry, were told their assertions of the therapeutic power of their green tea drinks have crossed the line.

In both its advertisements and its web sites, Lipton claimed that its Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated tea could help those with cholesterol and heart problems. By doing so, the FDA said the company is advertising the tea as if it is a new drug -- a drug that the FDA has not approved.