HERES HOW: IN ADDITION TO FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO INSURE DEATH FOR THE KENNEDY/CONRAD TOBACCO BILL _ALSO_ ASK YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO COSPONSOR HR 2868 CONSUMER HEALTH FREE SPEECH ACT WHICH REMOVES FOOD FROM THE CURRENT OVERLY BROAD STATUTORY DEFINITION OF "DRUG"! SEE IAHF WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON HR 2868!
(NOTE: THE KENNEDY/CONRAD BILL IS ALL BUT DEAD ANYWAY DUE TO TOBACCO COs PULLING OUT & THE CLOCK TICKING ON THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS, BUT IN THIS GAME CALLED POLITICS- SURPRISES SOMETIMES HAPPEN AND WE CAN'T TAKE THIS THREAT FOR GRANTED- WE MUST DEMONSTRATE OUR RESOLVE TO DEFEND OUR VITAMINS! PLEASE JOIN IAHF IN MAKING THEIR FAX MACHINES RUN OUT OF INK AND PAPER!! CALL 'EM REPEATEDLY ABOUT THIS! GET YOUR FRIENDS TO CALL!
We expect more information to come including a statement from Senator Orrin Hatch. We will post additional information on this as it comes in.
FDA Backdoor Attack on Supplements
In a surprise move the Clinton Administration, through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is pursuing a dangerous power grab in the guise of implementing its anti-tobacco initiatives. The FDA is using broadly worded legislation aimed at tobacco to effectively overturn the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). DSHEA, legislation which protects consumers' access to the dietary supplements of their choice was passed after a grassroots movement in 1992-1994 spawned the largest letter writing campaign to Congress in the history of the country.
Attempt at Restricting Rights
The FDA is again trying to restrict your rights to access to dietary supplements and truthful non-misleading health information through the Kennedy-Conrad tobacco legislation. This proposed bill is supposed to only deal with tobacco. But under its provisions if a consumer bought a vitamin C tablet or other supplement to "treat" a cold or other health problem, even though the tablet was not labeled with a drug claim, the agency could use what's called the "actual consumer use" test to act against the vitamin: Then the FDA could classify the dietary supplement as a drug and take it off the market.
Similarly under the so-called "foreseeable use" test, the agency could decide that consumers were going to use dietary supplements as drugs and act against supplements. Under still another "test of intent," if a manufacturer had a reference study in its files that showed a particular supplement could treat a disease, the FDA could act against the supplement even if the manufacturer made no reference to that claim in connection with the product.
Traditionally, the FDA has regulated products based on claims stated on labels, not on what the agency believed was consumers' potential uses of products. The carte-blanche authority over tobacco, in the Kennedy-Conrad bill could easily be applied by the agency to dietary supplements and other products.
Serious Threat
This FDA attempt at increased authority presents a serious threat to your rights to purchase dietary supplements and receive truthful,nonmisleading health information. It is urgent that you make your view known to Congress immediately. Many senators who were cosponsors of the Supplement Act (identified with asterisks) are unknowingly supporting this misguided effort of Senators Ted Kennedy and Kent Conrad.
Cosponsors of the Kennedy-Conrad bill are Senators; Daschle (SD)*, Lautenberg (NJ), Reed (RI), Leahy (VT)*. Dodd (CT), Bingaman (NM)*, Durbin (IL), Baucus (MI). Dorgan (ND)*, Rockefeller (WV), Kerrey (NE). Wyden (OR), Wellstone (MN), Torricelli (NJ), Boxer(CA)*, Kerry (MA), Bumpers (AR), Moynihan (NY), Johnson (CO), Breaux (LA), Kohl (Wl)*, Landrieu (LA), Moseley-Braun (IL),Lieberman (CT), Bryan (NV), Akaka (HI), Mikulski (MD)*, Sarbanes (MD), Murray (WA) and Levin (MI). These Senators can he reached by calling 202-224-3121. The White House switchboard is 202-458-1414.
What you should tell your Senators and Congresspeople to do:
Demand that Senators Kennedy and Conrad amend their tobacco legislation so that it limits its authority solely to tobacco arid tobacco products and can't possibly include supplements. Get it in writing from your legislators that the tobacco legislation will only apply to tobacco. If your Senator or Congressional Representative was a cosponsor of DSHEA, remind them that they have a continuing obligation to protect your rights as a supplement consumer. Do not wait for the day your favorite supplement is taken off the shelf.
ACT NOW! CALL AND WRITE TO CONGRESS TODAY.
For local listings of legislators in your community, check your local telephone directory. A call to your Congressman's local district office is just as effective as calling Washington. I don't currently know of any toll free numbers to the Capital Switchboard that are operational. If anyone knows of one thats current now, please let me know. These 800 numbers are paid for by private organizations, and it seems like they're never up long due to the costs involved.
To write to your elected Federal officials send correspondence to:
Hon. (Fill in Representative Name)
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Hon. (Fill in Senator's name)
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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Donations Needed- Need Help to Keep Helper On
International Advocates for Health Freedom
John C. Hammell, Legislative Advocate
2411 Monroe St. Hollywood, FL 33020 USA
800-333-2553, 954-929-2905, FAX 954-929-0507,
jham@iahf.com
http://www.iahf.com
HERBS ARE _NOT_ DRUGS! HELP PASS HR 2868
THE CONSUMER HEALTH FREE SPEECH ACT!!!