EU Supplements Directive (ESD) — this NEW directive (passed in 2002) would become law in member states on 1st August 2005 and would dramatically reduce the range (300 nutrients out of 420 currently used* in 5000 products currently UK available, stand to be banned) and amounts (France and Germany pushing for low levels, often only 3x the RDA- the amount to stop deficiency diseases) of therapeutic nutritional supplements that can be used. Nutrients still available and prescribable from summer 2005 are known as the "Positive List" **. In many instances nutrients on this list are at low poorly or ineffective levels and often are the poorer quality inorganic and synthetic nutrients, rather than effective highly bio-available nutrients at higher levels. Some of the most effective supplements, that you may be currently taking or prescribed are at risk of being classified as medicines under European Law. Innovative products — known for 1000's of years in the plant world to indigenous medicinal cultures, but not possessing the required dossier (estimated cost of each ingredients dossier would be 80-250K) to allow use approval — are particularly at risk of being removed from the nutritional therapist's "tool kit". Should this action proceed, one consequence feared is that consumption of supplements may continue but ironically and paradoxically in an even more unregulated manner via the use of the internet without the advice of a trained practitioner. To many CAM practitioners, another irony of the directive is the current trend towards pharmaceutical safety approval procedure taking a step in the opposite direction to the stringency applied to the natural health industry i.e. the speeding up and easing of licensing procedures or thresholds, which is being questioned by many even within the medical and pharmaceutical sector (Richard Horton — Editor Lancet) e.g. Vioxx.
* Minerals —the bone health minerals, e.g. boron (all forms and also 39 other trace minerals), magnesium (30 types), calcium (23 types), silicon (all forms). Selenium (14 forms), including the organic forms, selenium yeast and selenomethionine are forbidden on the ESD "Positive List". The latter of huge concern for cancer sufferers (it is these types of selenium that have been used in cancer prevention) and with the UK having some of the lowest soil levels of Se in the world! Selenium supplementation of 100 micrograms was recommended to relieve anxiety and depression in a BNF (British Nutrition Foundation) Report of Food and Mood Conference, held 23 rd May 2001 which stated an RNI (recommended nutrient intake) of 60-75 micrograms against an actual dietary intake of 39 micrograms) and MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries) studies I believe re-iterate. Chromium (17 types), widely prescribed for successful weight and blood sugar management and a great loss in our efforts to combat the epidemic of obesity linked to Syndrome X or Metabolic Syndrome. Vitamins: Mixed natural forms of vitamin E called the tocopherols and tocotrienols, used in cardiovascular and immune health cases.
** Annex 1 of ESD specifies type of nutrient still allowed e.g. magnesium. Annex 2 of ESD specifies the form of the nutrient allowed on positive list, e.g. magnesium-carbonate, oxide, sulphate etc.
Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation - is likely to reduce lawful communication to clients of the likely positive benefits of many herbal, plant or nutritional components without excessive levels of research to back the claim.
To Read More Please Visit:
a.) The ANH (www.alliance-natural-health.org/) — won an appeal at the English High Court, against the implementation of the ESD in January, 2004, allowing them to present their case to the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg on 25th January 2005 (a written submission was made August, 2004 already). You are encouraged to support the campaign against the Supplements Directive, by visiting ANH's website and reading more e.g. in the campaigns section of the site. Momentum is growing, with well known "luvvies" from the entertainment world e.g. Judi Dench; Joan Ploughwright; Jenny Seagrove etc, forming a brilliant advert for the supplement and nutrition industry! Telephone ANH: 01252 371 275.
b.) http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Nutrition/abrahams74.htm
c.) Chris Grayling MP (Conservative) and Kate Hoey MP (Labour), have tabled a special Motion (Early Day Motion 414), which has cross party support, for debate in the House of Commons. EDM414 calls for a re-negotiation of the Food Supplements Directive. Write to your MP at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA . MP names at: www.locata.co.uk/commons or or telephone 020 7219 3000. Or info at: www.healthchoice.org.uk, Sue Croft, Tel: 01275 852597.
