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NEWS ITEMS:
CODEX CONTINUES
(updated October 2005)
Codex Committee for Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) is the group that created theGuidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements. November 21-25, 2005 CCNFSDU will meet for the 27th session. There are many agenda items, but we particularly call your attention to the following:
3 Guidelines for the Use of Nutrition Claims
4. Discussion Paper on the Proposals or Additional or Revised Nutrient Reference Values for Labelling Purposes
8. Proposed Draft Recommendations on the Scientific Basis of Health Claims
9. Discussion Paper on the Application of Risk Analysis to the Work of the CCNFSDU
Several key issues to track at this year's CCNFSDU session are:
(Posted October 2005)
* Will the committee include ALL of the vitamins and minerals on the list compiled by the NRV (Nutrient Reference Values) Discussion Paper group?
* Will the committee reference the FAO/WHO Nutrient Risk Assessment Expert Panel work?
* Will the committee mention the WHO comments about the CCNFSDU at the July 4 CAC session?
NATIONAL LEGISLATION
(updated September 2005)
...TO REDUCE ACCESS TO DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Each year there is legislation introduced to weaken the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). In July 2005 two pieces of legislation were filed. These would require reporting of adverse reactions to dietary supplements. They would also give the FDA the power to declare a dietary supplement unsafe and remove it from the market based on these reports. Some point out that these safety criteria are stricter than those required by over-the-counter medications.
U.S. House of Representatives Bill 3156 -- Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act
This bill proposes to revise the "unreasonable risk" clause of DSHEA by significantly strengthening the FDA's ability to judge a supplement unsafe.
This bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce 6/30/05, then referred to the Subcommittee on Health 7/1/05.
H.R. 3156 To Tighten Supplement Safety Rules - But Why Only Supplements?
U.S. Senate Amendment 1379 (attached to to U.S. Senate Department of Defense Authorization Bill 1042)
This amendment requires certain dietary supplement manufacturers to report serious adverse events. It also prohibits supplements with stimulants to be available in military installation stores.
...TO INCREASE ACCESS TO DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
U.S. Senate Bill 1546 -- Food Stamp Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act would allow the purchase of vitamin and mineral dietary supplements with food stamps.
This bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 7/28/05.
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION SESSION REPORTS:
(updated August 2005)
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) met at the FAO Headquarters in Rome July 4-9, 2005. On the first day (July 4) the CAC voted to finalize the Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements.
On August 1 the official CAC report was posted online. The Codex Guidelines finalization is recorded on page 9. While they were not addressed, the National Health Federation's list of concerns is listed.
The following press releases provide a variety of perspectives on what happened at the July CAC session in Rome.
UNHAPPY ABOUT DECISION:
"Codex Full Commission adopts Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements in final form"
"Codex Alimentarius Adopts Vitamin Guidelines"
"Supplement Activists Assess Codex Strategies Going Forward"
"NHF Update on Codex Proceedings Currently in Session"
"Codex text approved in Rome"
"Will Your Children Be Free To Purchase Dietary Supplements When They Grow Up?"
"July 4th, We Lost Our Freedom of Choice in Health Care"
HAPPY ABOUT DECISION:
"Codex Alimentarius Commission Adopts Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplement Guideline"
"Report of the U.S. Delegate, 28th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, July 4-9, 2005, Rome, Italy"
WHAT'S NEXT?
(posted August 2005)
CODEX "Do We Need to Worry?"
"Big Pharma" is using "Western Medicine" to Destroy America...
How I Learned to Love Codex and Stop Worrying About My Health
EU FOOD SUPPLEMENTS DIRECTIVE
(posted August 2005)
August 1, 2005 EU deadline was not as devestating as originally designed, thanks to court ruling. "European food supplement ban avoided"
European Court of Justice delivered its verdict July 12, 2005.
ANH Landmark Legal Challenge - The Verdict!
European Court Decides: Food Supplements Directive May Go Ahead
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)
EU Court Upholds European Ban On Food Supplements
Health food industry loses EU vitamin case
Food Supplements Directive: European Court of Justice Rules in Favour of the Commission
European High Court Ruling Endangers United States Wellness Industry, Strengthens CODEX Threat World Health Organization Urges Turnaround to Support Global Health
This was a surprise as on April 5, 2005 the Advocate General released a preliminary opinion finding the Food Supplements Directive invalid under EU law.
Food Supplements Directive deemed invalid
CAFTA PASSED SENATE & HOUSE AND SIGNED BY PRESIDENT
(updated August 2005)
The Central American Free Trade Agreement (known as CAFTA) is a trade agreement between the United States and five Central American nations (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua). CAFTA is viewed by many to be a precursor to the signing of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA). While the purpose of these trade agreements is to promote free trade among Western Hemisphere countries, many point out special interest influences that could have serious negative impact on many populations and on personal rights. Also, there are countries in Central and South American that could use the SPS and TBT provisions in these agreements to pressure or force the U.S. to harmonize with the Codex Guidelines.
The CAFTA treaty passed in the Senate June 30, passed in the House July 28 (217 to 215), and was signed by President Bush August 2, 2005. Potential negative impact on U.S. DSHEA law is expected to take several years to develop. more...
COALITION FOR HEALTH FREEDOM INCORPORATED
(posted June 2005)
The American Association for Health Freedom hosted a Codex/Health Freedom Strategic Planning gathering April 22-23, 2005 near Washington, DC. The invited participants, representing several dozen organizations, committed to establishing an organization of organizations to fight the finalization of the Codex Guidelines and other health freedom matters. The Coalition for Health Freedom is now completing the incorporation process as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and has activated a website at coalitionforhealthfreedom.org.
WTO WITHDRAWAL VOTED DOWN JUNE 9
(posted June 2005)
The House Joint Resolution 27 to have the U.S. withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO) was defeated June 9 by vote of 86 for and 338 against.
Some background data:
Does the WTO Serve Our Interests? by Representative Ron Paul of Texas - May 16, 2005 This approach supports a yes vote for the U.S. to leave the WTO.
Anti-WTO materials presented to House Ways and Means Committee by Lori Wallach of the Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch - May 17, 2005 This approach supports the U.S. working to revise the power of the WTO.
CODEXINFO.ORG SITE TOTALLY RESTRUCTURED:
This codexinfo.org website was initially created to educate people about the developing Draft Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements. Then we restructured to track the finalization process.
Now that this document has been finalized by the Codex Alimentarius Commisson (July 4, 2005) the focus of this site will switch to tracking the ramifications of this decision.
NEW GUIDELINES HISTORY SECTION:
The codexinfo.org website has added a section that traces the history of the development of the Guidelines. There are links to actual documents whenever possible.
At the end of the history section are posted reports from outside sources related to more recent CCNFSDU sessions, particularly the November 2004 session where the drafting of the Guidelines was completed.
MOST RECENT AHHA ARTICLES:
"Looks like the EU outmaneuvered the U.S. " by Suzan Walter 2005
(posted June 2005)
Explanation for EU motivation to have Codex Guidelines similar to EU Food Supplements Directive.
"Overview 2005" by Suzan Walter
(posted May 2005)
As the first step in restructuring the codexinfo.org website, this article provides a condensed overview of Codex Alimentaius, the Codex Guidelines, and a number of related concerns.
"Summer of '05: Critical Time for Dietary Supplements" by Suzan Walter.
(posted February 2005)
In January 2005 there was an article heavily circulated by e-mail that discussed Codex, dietary supplements, and threats to consumer access to vitamins and minerals. As much of the information in that article was incorrect or outdated AND it mentioned AHHA as a resource site, AHHA was very concerned when some people believed the AHHA office wrote and distributed this article. To set things straight an article stating the facts, as researched by AHHA president, Suzan Walter, was drafted. You are invited to review the "Summer of '05" article, compare this to what you read elsewhere, and draw your own conclusions.
For all AHHA articles, etc.
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