Here Come the Vitamin Police Again

Is vitamin C a drug? Could your herbal tea be designated a controlled substance? Many in the vitamin and alternative medicine communities are sounding the alarm over a little known FDA proposal to reconcile the regulation of such substances with the regulations of Canada and Mexico. In the process, even green tea could be swept up in the bureaucracy.

The FDA is once again trying to destroy the 1994 DSHEA law that has made supplements "legal". This all comes to a head in five days - April 30th, 2007. The lawmakers have been very clever slipping this under the cracks. Only "doctors" would be able to "prescribe" most supplements deeded C.A.M. (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine). We're talking multivitamins, herbal supplements, homeopathic modalities...even massage oils. No joke.

Don't Believe Me? Take A Look... This was lifted right from the FDA's published PDF document on Docket No. 2006D-0480. You can read the entire PDF for yourself at http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06d-0480-gld0001.pdf.

Here are some highlights (and translations) of the FDA's proposed legislation. This includes the substances that will be legislated by the FDA under the proposed guidelines.

"...a product used in a CAM therapy or practice may be subject to regulation as a biological product, cosmetic, drug, device, or food (including food additives and dietary supplements) under the act or the PHS Act. Second, neither the act nor the PHS Act exempts CAM products from regulation."

Translation: Anything used in any system of medicine may now be regulated as a drug or medical device by the FDA. This includes a biofeedback machine, acupuncture needles, a cup of herbal tea, massage oil, a glass of vegetable juice or even a bottle of water.