The major polyphenols in green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, have been shown to enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophage-like cells; however, the mechanism involved was not clarified. In this study, we have identified that the catechins induced phagocytosis can be blocked by catalase and an inhibitor of transient receptor potential melastatin 2.