Lipton ends tests on animals

Unilever, maker of the popular Lipton brand of tea, has announced an immediate global end to any test on animals for tea research, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said.

Unilever, maker of the popular Lipton brand of tea, has announced an immediate global end to any test on animals for tea research, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said.

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The decision by Unilever, whose US headquarters are in New Jersey, follows appeals to the company by more than 40,000 members of PETA and its international affiliates, as well as, a meeting with executives from PETA and its affiliates in Britain, India and Germany, a statement said.

As a result of the Unilever decision, Lipton has posted its new policy on its website stating, "Unilever is committing to no animal testing for our tea and tea-based beverages, with immediate effect."

PETA president Ingrid E Newkirk said, "Lipton's decision means that the company will no longer harm live pigs or behead rabbits."

Lipton joins many other major beverage firms, including world's number one green tea maker ITO EN, as well as Honest Tea, Twinings, Luzianne Tea, and Stash Tea that have ended and pledged not to conduct tests on animals, PETA said.