Citizens for Health Alert: Tell Congress to Support Truthful Label Claims
Last year a few forward-thinking members of Congress introduced legislation that would enable supplement makers to cite vetted scientific studies on their labels and websites.
While that bill only attracted a few cosponsors it has resurfaced this year as the Free Speech About Science Act (HR 1364), and was introduced in the House of Representatives last week by Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Jared Polis (D-CO).
Urge your Representative now to Co-sponsor HR 1364!
Citizens for Health (CFH) believes that in order to make truly informed decisions about maintaining our health and wellness, we need access to as much information as possible regarding the benefits and detriments associated with products and services intended for that purpose.
If passed, the proposed bill would allow manufacturers of dietary supplements and healthy foods to:
--Cite legitimate scientific research.
--Provide a clear definition of the types of research that may be referenced.
--Ensure that referencing such research does not convert a food or dietary supplement into an unapproved (and therefore illegal) new drug.
--Retain the authority of FDA and FTC to pursue any fraudulent and misleading statements.
Send your message now - tell your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1364!
HR 1364, which has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, only has the support of its two chief sponsors at this time, but last year it had Dan Burton (R-IN), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Sue Wilkins Myrick (R-NC) as co-sponsors. Naturally, we need to generate more Congressional support if such an important bill is ever to make it out of committee.
While introducing the bill to the House of Representatives, Chaffetz said: “The Free Speech About Science Act helps insure their access to legitimate scientific research to make the necessary decisions to improve their personal health and the health of their families.”
Polis added: “As we begin to reform our nation’s healthcare system, supplements are an innovative way to help reduce costs. This is a common sense act that will make it easier for doctors and consumers to learn about the cheaper, healthier alternatives to costly medicines that food and nutritional supplements provide."
CFH couldn't agree more, and we need to ensure Congress gives HR 1364 the hearing it deserves.
As always, thank you for your participation,
The Citizens for Health Team
April 12, 2011