Blog

well, I’m feeling a bit more optimistic. Certain things seem to be happening politically behind the scenes. watch this space.

I feel very alone and despairing. The government seem to be ignoring the fact that our supplements will soon be gone forever and that about 700 shops and 3000 people will be out of work (and at such a dreadful time). If you do log in to this website - please write a comment and pass the web address on to other people. I need to know that I’m not alone in this fight! thanks for caring.

Have you sent your postcard to your MP?

The EU bureaucrats in Brussels have finally shown their colours!  Last week
they told the leaders of the UK dietary supplements that the destruction of
the British market is an acceptable price to pay for harmonizing trade
across all member States.  They even said the UK supplements industry is
worse than the tobacco and alcohol industry - because those industries are
prepared to discuss possible compromises whereas the supplements people
just want this ludicrous directive thrown out!

I can tell you - all sides of the industry has been galvanised into fast
and furious actions.

A couple of comments I’ve heard recently is that you are all too busy to
bother with this campaign with everything else that is going on - well, I
must disagree - this campaign IS worth bothering about; it is vital.  It
will only take a few moments, but those moments are vital.  If any of us
relax now, this pernicious directive will potentially destroy the
supplements industry.  And Brussels won’t care.  So where will that leave
you?  Where will you get your vitamin C, your zinc and selenium in doses
that are effective?  There is no quick answer, especially as UK officials
seems to think they can easily block any “illegal” supplements coming in
from overseas.

Keep on remembering that the bureaucrats in Brussels are from a different
planet.  They care nothing for you’re the health needs of consumers.  They
are dismissive about the industry and numbers of jobs that will be lost -
and they certainly don’t give a fig if the industry is brought to its knees
to satisfy the EU desire for that single market.  That thought should keep
you focussed and I’m sure you can convey a powerful message to your MP.

Go to your nearest health food shop and pick up the bright blue
‘SEND-A-MESSAGE’ postcard.
Just complete a couple of line, add the name of you own local MP - plus a
stamp - and post it!!

Simple, but very effective.

Just another thought.

A few months ago, Consumers for Health Choice took a full page in The Guardian newspaper. It was an open letter to The Rt Hon. Gordon Brown, on the subject of the EU Directive and our supplements being under threat. It asked for his governments help in fighting for us- the consumer -to keep our valuable supplements, that we have been taking safely for many years and was signed by at least 25 celebrities.

I was stunned to find that shortly after it had appeared, at least half of them were sent, personally, a very persuasive letter from the which?organisation, warning them that supporting the CHC was dangerous and that they should support the EU Directive and explaining why. Astonishingly , however, some of their science was inaccurate and consequently some of their arguments were wrong and misleading.

I was shocked as I had always been led to believe that the which?organisation was on the side of the consumer. How can restricting consumer choice,  on the basis of flawed science, be good for us? (We know that safety is not the issue although they would have us think it is; it is the ultimate harmonisation of the  supplements market)  Who is advising them, that they got their facts so wrong?

When CHC wrote to the which? organisation regarding the letters they had sent out and challenging their facts, no answer came, which was equally puzzling. So I asked a few questions and found out that most people who subscribe to or advise which? have vested interests, and that there were an awful lot of GPs on their list. Now, GPs know very little, generally, about good nutrition and even less about supplements, and are often funded or influenced in some way or another by the Pharmas.

Just a few thoughts for you to dwell on.

Have you ever wondered why some vitamin supplements, especially the “tasty” chewy ones contain aspartame???? I thought supplements were supposed to be good for you. Google aspartame and make up your own mind….

Those will probably be the ones left on the market when the EU’s directive comes into force….

I’m hoping that little by little people are coming to this site, reading its contents and taking action. So many people don’t know what’s going on. I’d love some comments and ideas, if anyone feels up to it. also. pass the link on to anyone you know in the USA and in the EU. They can all make a difference.

I am determined that if we make enough “noise” we will be heard, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to affect how the directives are written and keep our supplements. One can only hope! and do of course! thanks.

I’m anxious! Verging on depressed.

I depend on supplements to keep well and busy. I don’t take them every day but I do listen to my body and being a busy veggie  I know when I am skimping on certain nutrients. So they nestle in my cupboard like a sort of warm duvet. I know they are there if I need them.

Some of them are well sourced general supplements and some are specific and only necessary for special occasions. But they all have a place in my wellness and my life.

Now I find that if this EU Directive goes through, I won’t be able to buy most of them in the UK. I’ll have to get them from overseas on the Internet. This scares me as I don’t know what I’m buying, and I don’t think there’s proper quality control.

It’s also going to cost me a lot more.

And then I find that other things that I rely on are under scrutiny, or might be in the future – like herbal remedies and flower essences and …. Well the list goes on.

And then I find that if something called Codex has its way, I won’t even be able to buy things on the Internet. They will all be taken off the markets everywhere.

What’s going on? It’ll be like being in the Dark Ages.

Why isn’t everyone, all over the world, up in arms about this?  Help!!!!!!