This is not another hype about “Codex Alimentarus” which litter this and other blog sites. I am cross posting it on a couple to ensure that those scaremongers do not engage in another round.
As the BBC reports, the European Court of Justice has ruled in favour of a Directive from the European Commission which will ban the sale of certain chemicals and restrict the dosage of others in preparations sold as health supplements.
The Directive was agreed by Governments in 2002 after the proposal was made by the Commission and approved by the European Parliament. This is the notmal process for such directives. It is now up to the national governments to implement legislation which will put the decision into effect. It should be noted that some like the British tend to already have or put in place regulations that are more restricive (so-called “gold plating”)
None of this affects the US unless at some time it apples to join the EU when compliance with this as part of the acquis would be necessary. Conmpanies which export to the EU will now have to comply with the regulations. It was the industry and a lobby group promoted by them which took the case to the Court.
There is an approved list of vitamins and other supplements. If a company wants to continue to use a chemical, it can submit a dossier declaring that it has been used and is considered safe. After 2009, the company will have to demonstrate the safety of the ingredient in its product. (I praphrase from a TV interview with a spokesperson from the British Dietetic Association).
The sensible way of looking at this decision is to look at what the Consumers’ Association, an independent consumer body owned by its memebers, say as quoted in the BBC item:
(Sue Davies, of the consumer magazine Which?) said: “It will ensure that products are safe, that they contain forms of vitamins and minerals that offer some benefit, and that they are clearly labelled.
“Contrary to the many misleading reports put out by those wishing to promote and sell supplements free of controls to protect consumers, the directive is not anti-consumer choice.
” It will instead mean that at long last consumers can make informed choices about the supplements they take.”
