“ALTERNATIVE” FRAUDS ATTACKED

At last! Quack medicines (in this case ephedra) are coming under some attack. It is high time that “health foods” and “diet supplements” were treated the same as orthodox pharmaceuticals if medical claims are made for them.

"Misleading and meaningless claims on food labels are to be banned under EU laws proposed yesterday in a drive to regulate the industry and inform consumers. The move, announced by David Byrne, the European commissioner for consumer affairs, would outlaw claims such as 'preserves youth' and 'reduces stress,' and draw up strict rules to cover other statements such as 'low in fat' or 'high in fibre.'" Well. That’s one bit of EU bureaucracy that I rather agree with. Lying and deception do need to be discouraged.

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