Codex Alimentarius, when founded in 1958, comprised 22 European States. It was conceived to protect consumer's health and develop market harmonization. Two years ago, Biotics Research had its FDA lawyers write a position paper on CODEX. At the time, we felt our domestic laws would continue to supersede international law. Recently a number of international treaties have been introduced into the mix, making it difficult to clearly predict the future. Some feel that World Trade Organization (WTO)AVorld Health Organization (WHO) treaties leave us vulnerable to unrealistic and detrimental international policy. In the United States, nutritional supplements are subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which incorporate the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The European Union (EU) is in the process of finalizing a directive to regulate the composition and labeling of dietary supplements sold in EU member countries. Also, a CODEX standard for "food" supplements, which will establish a standard for the composition and labeling of such products, will be issued in July 2005. Unfortunately, the European drivers of these movements are not motivated to support the health and well being of the citizens and would likely regulate supplements' composition to the point of providing little value. If the process is successful, the price for existing products is likely to dramatically increase and access to products would be curtailed. If the German, or any other foreign government wishes to prevent their citizens from pursuing optimum health, it's their choice. However, we are confident that the citizens of the United States will not and should not tolerate such unreasonable goals and motives. Having said this, there are a couple of Bills that have been introduced that would do serious damage to DSHEA, if enacted. Senate Bill S 722, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin, and House HR 3377 should be defeated. We encourage everyone to contact their Senators and members of Congress and let them know how strongly they oppose these two Bills. We do not believe "the sky is falling" or that the nutritional world, as we know it, is destined for legislative extinction. Quite the contrary; research continues to support the use of nutritional supplements. Millions of consumers are educated and motivated to pursue improved health and preventive medicine. It is important that our representatives in Washington know how strongly we feel and how united we are about defeating S 722 and HR 3377 and preserving our ability to choose for ourselves. We will protect our ability to control our own destiny and will not allow any foreign government to prevent us from doing so. Denis DeLuca Bio/ics Research Editor's Note: For more information, visit http:// www.bioticsresearch.com, or Bill S. 722 at http://www.nnfa.org/services/govern-ment/pdf/s722.pdf.
