ITO EN Celebrates 10 Years Of Support For The American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-in-Training Program

New York, NY – ITO EN, Ltd., the world’s premiere supplier of green tea, is proud to announce the 10th anniversary of their support for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scholar-in-Training Awards. The awards will enable 27 students to attend and present at the AACR Annual Meeting, April 17, 2007 at the Millenium Biltmore in Los Angeles.

For the past 10 years, ITO EN, Ltd. of Haibara, Japan has supported the Scholar-in-Training program to encourage participation of Asian pre-doctoral students, medical students and residents and post-doctoral and clinical fellows in the AACR. The Scholar-in-Training program funds travel grants for these students to attend the AACR annual meeting to present their research and findings to the international cancer research community. ITO EN donates $60,000 per annum to the program.

“By supporting the Scholar-in-Training program, ITO EN is able to give Asian students access to a worldwide audience for their advances in cancer research,” said Rona Tison, vice president of corporate relations, ITO EN (North America) Inc. “Green tea is largely viewed in the medical community as a potential aid in the defense of cancer. ITO EN supports this program with the hope that we are assisting the next generation of cancer researchers as they work towards advances that will help those afflicted around the world.”

Researchers have highlighted a variety of health benefits associated with green tea. Green tea leaves are high in catechins, which offer antioxidant benefits and may aid in the defense of cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. Green tea also contains theanine, which can create a feeling of “relaxed alertness” and has been found to be effective for helping to combat tension, stress and anxiety. It has also been found to help increase mental focus, improve concentration, and promote creativity.

Since establishing their U.S. operations in 2001, Tokyo-based ITO EN has introduced the green tea culture to the American market through the TEAS’ TEA line of all natural, unsweetened ready-to-drink teas, which received the ‘Best Flavor’ and ‘Best Packaging’ awards from the 2005 World Tea Expo. The company also imports and markets Sencha Shot and the award-winning Tea Apple and Tea Lemon from their line of natural fruit teas. Recently, the company acquired Mason Distributors, a Florida-based vitamin and supplement manufacturer, which gains them entry to the ever-growing U.S. supplement market. The ITO EN Tea Shop, located on Manhattan’s Madison Avenue, has received the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Zagat NYC Gourmet Marketplace award for ‘Best Tea’, and the company also operates the renowned KAI and Donguri restaurants in New York City.

To access more information or order from the entire line of ITO EN products, please visit www.itoen.com.

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Established in 1966, Japan-based ITO EN, LTD. was founded to market green tea, a traditional Japanese beverage. Today, the company is firmly positioned as not only the world's leading supplier of green tea leaves and green tea beverages, but an all encompassing beverage company that is continuously developing a steady stream of new products that specifically address customer needs and lifestyles. Known as a trendsetter in Japan's beverage industry, intensive research and development has allowed the company to cultivate better tea, and positioned them as the first company to create a patented method of bottling green tea in a manner that carefully preserves its distinct flavor and integrity. Additional information can be accessed through www.itoen.com