FDA Announces Plan to Eliminate Vitamin Companies

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FDA Announces Plan to Eliminate Vitamin Companies

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/04/fda-announces-plan\

-to-eliminate-vitamin-companies.aspx

 

In June, the FDA announced new standards for dietary supplements that are

supposed to improve consumer safety. In reality, the 800-page rule will likely

interfere with business while intentionally eliminating various dietary

supplement companies from the market.

 

Gone Within Five Years

 

The rule will be phased in over the next three years, and within five years

half of the supplement industry could be gone or selling their products at

significantly higher prices.

 

Independent analysis of the rule found that compliance costs will be 10 times

the FDA estimates. The ruling surrounds the dietary supplement industry with

regulations and requirements in excess of those imposed on the drug industry,

and up to 50 percent of small companies will simply not be able to afford to

comply.

 

“Hard Pressed to Continue to Operateâ€

 

The FDA itself states in the rule that:

 

 

“Establishments with above average costs, and even establishments with

average costs, could be hard pressed to continue to operate. Some of these may

decide it is too costly and either change product lines or go out of

business.â€

 

The rule will also raise the price of dietary supplements to consumers.

According to the FDA:

 

“We expect that the majority of these costs will be borne by consumers of

dietary supplements, who will likely respond to the increase in prices by

reducing consumption.â€

 

News With Views June 27, 2007

http://www.newswithviews.com/Richards/byron36.htm

 

 

 

Dr Mercola's Comment

 

Makers of dietary supplements, including vitamins, herbs, and others, are

going to be hard-pressed to comply with these new standards. They are already

operating at an unfair disadvantage, compared to the big drug companies that

have

enough cash to bend any legislation in their favor.

 

Even before this new ruling, they were limited from making health claims

(this is reserved only for drugs). Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? But consider

that it’s still illegal even in cases where the claims have been clearly

proven

-- cherry growers cannot legally say that tart cherries may do more good than

aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs when it comes to pain relief, even

though studies back them up.

 

The drug companies financially support the FDA in the form of user fees for

drug approval, so naturally the FDA tends to protect the hand that feeds it. In

addition, from 1998 to 2005, drug and chemical corporations spent $758

million on lobbying politicians, in efforts to influence what food and drug

products

can be marketed and how they are labeled.

 

In the 2004 elections alone, nearly $1 million was contributed to President

Bush, $500,000 to his opponent John Kerry, and over $100,000 was contributed to

approximately 18 members of Congress. The drug and chemical industries employ

over 1,200 full-time lobbyists, including 40 former members of Congress.

 

The drug and chemical corporate lobbyists are extremely successful at what

they do, which puts the FDA at the mercy of the very same chemical industry that

they aim to regulate. The inevitable result is that the FDA puts drug company

profits ahead of your health.

 

Although the FDA and government are loaded with people trying to eliminate

all competition for the drug companies, there are still some who are seeking

justice. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, for instance, has introduced much-needed

legislation

that would limit the FDA’s authority over supplements.

 

 

 

Related Articles:

 

The Codex Conundrum and How it Affects Supplements in America

http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/4/codex_conundrum.htm

 

Supplement Regulation: Who's Behind It, and Why Should You Oppose It

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/19/supplement_regulation.htm

 

Flawed Codex Guidelines Passed

http://www.mercola.com/2005/jul/19/codex_guidelines.htm