National Post falsely implies ALL herbs may be dangerous
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NB: This letter was published in the National Post today,
December 21/04. The following phrase in maroon bold was edited out of the
last paragraph in my original submission: "Considering the current scandal
over Cox 2 pharmaceuticals such as Vioxx and Celebrex and the fact that over
14 drugs and one vaccine have had to be withdrawn from the market since 1997
because they were killing people and causing other harmful side effects, it
would appear National Post editorial concerns would be better focused
elsewhere than toward the natural health products industry. " -
Croft
Contrary to what is implied in a National Post editorial (December 18/04), the Journal of the American Medical Association article speaks only of certain Ayurvedic Medicine herbal formulas imported from India as having potential problems.
The general tone of some reports, including the editorial, falsely implies ALL herbs may be dangerous.
Canadian dietary supplement manufacturers operate under strict Health Canada standards and supervision that do not allow ingredients to contain high amounts of contaminants like lead, mercury, arsenic hand other potentially toxic minerals. Tests include proper identifying of the plant material as well as maximum allowable levels of microbiological contamination. These standards are reinforced by oversight by third-party independent laboratories.
As a former executive officer of the Canadian Health Food Association, I was invited and participated in Health Canada's up-date of its Good Manufacturing Practices Guide (GMPG) in 1981/82. Canada's GMPG is just as stringent, if not more so, as that of any western industrial nation.
The negative publicity generated by this issue unfortunately will affect reputable Canadian dietary supplement manufacturers who follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs.
Considering the current scandal over Cox 2 pharmaceuticals such as Vioxx and Celebrex, it would appear National Post editorial concerns would be better focused elsewhere than toward the natural health products industry.
Croft Woodruff
6417 Fraser Street
Vancouver BC
604 324 2121
