The EU has a very strong influence on decisions made in Codex committee sessions. In fact, the Guidelines document does not include a number of items because the EU delegate was vehemently against them. In one prominent example the delegate from South Africa tried on a number of occasions to get wording into the Preamble of the Guidelines to acknowledge that vitamins and minerals had preventive benefits. The EU delegate successfully objected every time. At this same Codex session the FAO/WHO publication, "Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases" was being promoted on the literature table. Based on this demonstration of EU influence, many people believe that the EU Food Supplements Directive indicates what Codex documents might end up including in the future.

The United States Federal Register, October 11, 1995, FDA Policy on Standards, states that "where a relevant international standard exists, or completion is imminent, it will generally be used in preference to a domestic standard...." If this is still the FDA policy, once the Codex Guidelines are finalized this summer, will we find the FDA working to use this against the DSHEA?

Have you noticed the growing number of situations where dietary supplement companies are being required to submit costly documentation to prove that a vitamin or mineral is safe, even when there is extensive research already demonstrating its safety and effectiveness? This is what is currently happening in Europe and Canada. The negative economic impact is changing the landscape of the entire industry. Are we seeing a scenario where small companies will either have to sell out to larger supplement companies or fold? Where many of the larger companies are being bought out by pharmaceutical companies? Do current events support the strength of the supplement companies or the pharmaceutical companies?

As you consider the difference between what is on the six o'clock news and what the health freedom advocacy web sites proclaim, evaluate for yourself what this difference might mean for you and those you love. Get involved with groups that support what you believe will be most beneficial.

©2005 Suzan Walter/ American Holistic Health Association

Suzan Walter, president of the American Holistic Health Association, researched how the Codex Alimentarius and the World Trade Organization function and applied this information to track the potential impact of the document Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements. She attended the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses sessions as an observer in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and continues working to try to validate true facts in the face of conflicting information being presented by opposing groups. Suzan created an educational website codexinfo.org to explain these matters to the U.S. public and offer a variety of points of view. If you would like to be alerted when new information is posted at codexinfo.org, e-mail your name and e-mail address to codex@ahha.org.