EU ASSAULT
 On
nutritional supplements
In this special close up report, reproduced from Animal Aid's
quarterly magazine Outrage, Becky Lilly reveals how the EU appears to be victimising
the food supplement industry. Outrage is sent to all Animal Aid members - to
find out more about becoming a member click here.
The Food Supplements Directive was passed into EU Law
on 12 July 2002. At the time Outrage goes to press, the Houses of Parliament
have not yet voted on whether to implement it in the UK - though they are due
to do so by 1 August 2003.
If they accept the new Directive, it will lead to the banning of 300 supplements
including Vitamin B6 - probably in quantities above 10mg - and high doses of
vitamin C, zinc and many calcium additives. Specific upper levels have yet to
be set, but the speculation is that they may be as much as 20 times lower than
those currently on sale in the UK. This would see many widely used supplements
removed from the market.
Punitive safety data
In order for a supplement to remain available in its current form, it needs
to be included on a 'positive list' contained within the Directive. Manufacturers
have until July 2005 to produce detailed scientific data on safety.
To obtain this would be enormously expensive and beyond the means of many manufacturers.
The absurdity is that most of these nutrients have been on the UK market for
decades and their safety is established by long-term usage. In most cases, it
is established that there are very few side effects or long-term dangers. The
risks are minimal when compared with the enormous problem of adverse reactions
to prescription drugs, yet the powerful pharmaceutical industry is permitted
to continue selling drugs known to damage large numbers of people.
From 2007, the Food Supplements Directive will also apply to food supplement
ingredients such as essential fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics
and other nutrient groups. It also seeks to ban education of the public about
the possible need for supplements to the 'normal western diet'.
The implications for animals
Narrowing consumer choice is a dangerous game for animals. Many people use
dietary supplements as a method of treating ailments, instead of resorting to
traditional animal-tested allopathic medicines. If sale is restricted, some
users may turn to traditional pharmaceuticals instead. There is a possibility
that more new drugs could appear to plug the commercial void, all of which will
be subjected to scientifically invalid animal tests. It is also likely that
the EU will stipulate that animal testing is necessary for those supplements
which remain on the 'positive list' - even though these products are currently
consumed by millions of people without side effects.
Nutrition
The developed world's junk food culture has led to a growing body of scientific
evidence to suggest that nutritional deficiencies are prevalent. There is a
proven link between diet and many disease epidemics such as some cancers, heart
disease and diabetes. Why should those who feel that supplements are beneficial
be prevented from obtaining them? Banning or restricting takes away the consumers'
right to choose. Furthermore, it seems more than a little suspicious to be pursuing
the supplement industry so vigorously when harmful substances such as alcohol
and tobacco are still legal and pharmaceutical drugs are known to be a major
cause of death and severe side effects.
This ill-conceived Directive is yet another example of decision-makers supporting
big business to the detriment of smaller producers. It is estimated that one
third of health food retailers will go out of business if it is implemented,
with a severe knock-on effect on employment for shop workers, suppliers, manufacturers
and transporters. It seems probable that huge multinationals will take over
the remaining market, squeezing out the small family-run businesses.
The campaign
A number of campaign groups have been working to counter the current proposals.
Opponents of the Directive argue that an amendment is needed to allow individual
Member States to permit the continued use of products recognised by their own
competent authority as safe and appropriately labelled. One of them - the Health
Freedom Movement - organised a march through London in June, when a debate was
held in the House of Lords. Although the Lords voted to revoke the regulations
by 132 votes to 79, the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation voted
in favour of the legislation by the Chairman's casting vote on 3 July. The government
supports implementation.
You can find out more about the campaign by contacting the following groups:
 The
Health Freedom Movement
2 Salisbury Road, London, SW19 4EZ.
Tel: 0870 990 9976
Email: office@healthfreedommovement.com
Website: www.healthfreedommovement.com
Alliance for Natural Health
Mount Manor House, 16 The Mount, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4HS.
Tel/fax: 01252 371 275
Email: info@alliance-natural-health.org
Website: www.alliance-natural-health.org
Consumers for Health Choice
9 Old Queen Street,
London, SW1H 9JA.
Tel: 0207 222 4182.
Web: www.healthchoice.org.uk
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