ACTION ALERT - Dietary supplements

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What happens in NY doesnt stay in NY (pdf

version)http://www.citizens.org/sites/citizens.orgWhat%20Happens%20in%20N\

ew%20York-NIE%20Magazine%20(2).pdf

 

What Happens in New York, Doesn't Stay in New York: TAKE ACTION NOW!

By James Gormley, CFH Board Member

 

http://www.citizens.org/action-alerts/what-happens-in-new-york-doesnt-stay-in-ne\

w-york

 

March, 2007 - Unlike Las Vegas, New York is not a convenient black

hole or alternate universe where everyday laws or rules observed at

home do not apply. Unfortunately in this case, New York - like

California - is a state that other states look to in setting policies

and creating new laws. Case in point: four new bills introduced by New

York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-51st District) in the New York

State legislature taking aim at the vitamin and supplement industry:

 

Bill A3944: requiring " that anyone selling dietary supplements that

make health or appearance claims possess competent and scientific

evidence substantiating those claims " ; also requires a warning

statement on the product label or " handout " if the product claim is

not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

Bill A4014: Would prevent school employees, especially coaches, from

recommending dietary supplements to students and require schools to

warn students of the risks of certain supplements;

Bill A3357: Proposes the establishment of a dietary supplements safety

committee that will, apparently, create " adequate standards and

enforcement for manufacturing, safety and effectiveness " of dietary

supplements; and

Bill A2068: Would require labeling to indicate which products have

been tested by the FDA for " purity. "

Wow - where does one begin?

 

First off, would Bill 3944 require retailers to research, identify,

warehouse and make available the many thousands upon thousands of

published studies supportive of individual ingredients and of finished

products? Would manufacturers or distributors need to send boxloads of

data to retailers with every shipment of product?

 

Regarding Bill 4014 - will health teachers be forbidden from

discussing the health benefits of nutritional supplements in health

and nutrition courses? Will these teachers and coaches be required to

warn students about the dangers of Ritalin and the overprescription of

antibiotics and other FDA-approved drugs?

 

I doubt it.

 

As to Bill 3357, does Assemblyman Ortiz believe that the New York

State legislature has greater expertise than the FDA? Than USP? Than

NSF? Than the FDA GMPs? Than scientists around the world? Has he heard

of DSHEA?

 

And finally, Bill 2068, regarding purity of supplements, does Mr.

Ortiz have any idea about standard testing of products followed and

carried out by manufacturers? Does he have a clue as to the

responsibilities of the FDA and the responsibilities of industry?

 

Based on the disingenuous, and appallingly misinformed, nature of the

language and the goals of these bills, I think not. Then again,

well-intentioned yet ridiculous laws are passed every day across the

land, so screening for common sense, rationality and regulatory

competence is not a given.

 

" This industry would be turned upside down if these bills were to

pass, " said NNFA East president Andrew Fox. " Assemblyman Ortiz wants

to put safe and well-regulated dietary supplements in the same bag as

toxic chemicals - all under the guise of 'consumer safety.' "

 

The NNFA East New York State Task Force is seeking support from

manufacturers and retailers who sell their products in New York to

cover their expected campaign needs of $100,000 (legal, lobbyist,

grassroots campaign and media).

 

With support, NNFAEast will be able to mount significant opposition in

Albany to prevent the passage of these potentially devastating pieces

of legislation from becoming law in New York, Fox added.

 

The costs for hiring a lobbyist are estimated at $50,000 for this

legislative session, said Fox. " We truly believe that both Houses will

act on this legislation in committee after they finish with the

budgetary process in early April. The time to start our lobbying

efforts is now if we are to be successful. "

 

NNFA East will be collaborating with Citizens for Health on a

grassroots initiative to publicize the dangers of such legislation

related to the availability of vitamins and supplements if the law is

passed.

 

For additional information, call Andrew Fox at (315)432-1885 or email

andy, or call Paul Kushner, executive director, NNFAEast,

(856)985-5446 or execdir.

 

Let's support NNFA East and put the kibosh on these dangerously

misguided bills - and not just for the good of consumers in New York

but for the good of the country.

 

If you are a resident of New York, please contact your state

legislators and urge them to vote " No " on these bills by clicking the

" Take Action " button

 

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In Love, Light and Honor.............. May You and Yours be Blessed

with Health, Happiness, Wisdom and Prosperity.