CODEX and other threats?

Question: from Tony

I have recently learned about the world wide program called Codex. Have you heard of this and what are your thoughts? I know here in the USA we are just now starting to see legislation on its take over process to squash the natural health industry for the large Pharma Companies so they can control our Health with all their wonderful medications.

This is a nightmare in the making for someone like me who use meds, but tries to limit their need with the use of natural sources of healthy products.

Answer: from Warren

Yes I am aware of this organization. CODEX which is an abbreviation for Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by FAO and WHO to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. 

They are based in Europe. 

For some years they have been working to develop a 'code' to put an upper limit on various ingredients that can be used in dietary supplements.  The focus is on vitamins and minerals at this stage. 

The wheels of this organization grind slowly and their final recommendations have not yet been determined.  There is an enormous amount of international controversy in what they are doing in so far as it relates to dietary supplements. 

Representations are being made by industry groups, consumer groups and of course government groups. 

There appears to be enormous influence by Big Pharma in CODEX and some of the preliminary decisions they have arrived at have been quite dictatorial and to the detriment of consumers and the natural products industry in general. 

Ultimately CODEX hope to have a set of specifications for dietary supplements that all countries will abide to by implementing local laws. 

Some countries claim they will not be affected.  For example, Australia say that CODEX is irrelevant to them because dietary supplements in Australia are regulated as complementary medicines not food supplements.  Therefore they say that they will not be affected. 

Likewise some commentators in the US say that CODEX will not affect the industry in the US because supplements are already covered by their own legislation. 

But...others say that it will have an impact in the US because CODEX will have the power through the WTO (World Trade Organization) to impose sanctions on those countries who do not conform. 

But, as you say CODEX is not the only threat on the horizon to natural health supplements.  It is happening on many different fronts and at local government level. Enormous pressure is being brought to bear by parties who have a financial interest in the continuation of the 'ill health' of the population. 

I am not one for conspiracy theories but I am aware of much of the manipulation which is going on behind the scenes, and the distortion of the facts to the general public of information.  Some of the media headlines that show natural supplements in a poor light is incredibly inaccurate and the truth never gets to see the light of day. 

However, this battle is far from over and there is a groundswell of resistance developing in amongst more and more of the public as they get better informed. 

The only real danger as I see it is that some of these 'reforms' will be carried in stealth unless more of the public become alert to what their elected representatives are doing 'to' them often under the misguided guise of 'safety;. 

Interesting times, which will no doubt get even more interesting!

Oh, and I should say that much of what is going on in the background would not have been possible if is was not for the ammunition given the opponents of the natural supplement industry by a minority of marketers and manufacturers who produce sub standard products and make outlandish health claims.