Consumers Fight for Their Rights

From Option magazine (now Health Action) 1985-
25 years ago

On several occasions in the last 20 years, Canadian consumers have almost lost the right to purchase nutritional supplements from health food stores. Largely because of letters from angry consumers, legislation on this issue seems troublesome to implement.

Several months ago the Health Protection Branch told several health food importers that Dong Quai and Pau D'Arco are now under "New Drug" status and cannot be sold. Amino acids also fall into this category along with better known substances such as propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, ginseng, and aloe vera.

According to the Health Protection Branch, a major problem is that therapeutic, i.e., drug, claims are being made for these and other substances, and this causes them to be classified as "New Drugs." Sale of a product in tablet or capsule form makes it a target for the Health Protection Branch.

The health food industry has been quick to respond to what they see as unfair restrictions on them. The Health Action Network Society sees the issue as yet another restriction of the public's freedom of choice in matters of health care. Many within the organization are letter writing, and health food store owners are giving leaflets explaining the problem to customers.

YOU made the difference in ...

1967–69
The Canadian Health Protection Branch acted to force vitamin and mineral supplements off the market. A letter-writing campaign initiated by the health food industry headed off legislation

1976
IN BC and Ontario the Pharmacy Act was changed giving drug stores a complete monopoly on the sale of vitamins and mineral supplements. Again, consumer reaction forced a change of law in Ontario, and in BC, health food stores were exempted from the Act.

1980–82
The Quebec Order of Pharmacists attempted to monopolize everything from distilled water and wheat germ to food supplements. With the loss of several court cases, a strong reaction from a provincial consumer health group and a threat of changes under the Combines Act, the Pharmacists backed off.

1983
The Health Protection Branch seized a shipment of wormwood on the grounds that its toxicity represented a hazard to the public, but later released the herb.

Editor's Note: We came across this article while archiving—and thought you would appreciate that while things have changed, nothing has changed.

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