21 Jun 2010 - HERE COMES SUMMER

We dare not take anything for granted in terms of fine weather, and over the last couple of years we certainly have learned to appreciate every scrap of summer sun.

With the longer days, lots of us are looking for the first time at the confident growth of the veggies we have planted at home. Top pleasure is picking our own, followed by choosing vegetables from growers we know in local farmers’ markets – and a very long way behind comes trawling through over-wrapped carbon-costly products on supermarket shelves.

In IAHS stores, sales of some products can drop off during summer months. We eat less porridge, less dried fruit and fewer pulses and lentils, and thankfully pick up fewer ills and chills.



But some problems and needs are with us all year round. If you want information about natural remedies for joint problems, or are looking for safe and effective sun screens for your family, or tips on diets for diabetics and people with wheat intolerance, we are still the first port of call.

Speedy cooking comes into its own when we want to be out and about. Think wholemeal couscous, bulghur or rice for colourful salads (no peeling or scrubbing!), organic wheat, spelt or gluten-free pasta hot or cold with organic pesto, tomato-based sauces and delicious fresh vegetables and herbs topped with grated Irish sheep’s or goat's cheese. These dishes are great for lunchboxes the next day too.

8 Jun 2010 - Update :: IAHS petition to the EP

Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) Intl’s Robert Verkerk went head to head with Basil Mathioudakis, head of the food law unit at the European Commission, at the end of April over ANH-Europe and the Irish Association of Health Stores’ petition to the European Parliament (EP) on > Maximum Permitted Levels.

It was a win for common sense when the EP Petitions Committee > unanimously agreed to keep open the ANH's and four related petitions, that questioned how the European regulators were going about limiting maximum levels of vitamins and minerals to potentially ridiculously low levels.

13 May 2010 - A New Seasonal Challenge

Now that the swine ‘flu pandemic has fallen as flat as we had predicted, thoughts turn to another immune challenge - hay fever.

Your local IAHS health store will have a number of helpful natural options for sufferers. Increasingly hay fever seems to affect children, but sufferers of any age are well advised to practise prevention and look to support their immune systems before trouble starts.

Do ask for suggestions from our qualified staff.

1 May 2010 - Heading for trouble?

Most people by now have heard about the rash - nearly an epidemic - of head shops, which have sprung up across the country, selling unlicensed and downright dangerous substances to produce an unnatural “high” in users.

To the consternation of some Association members, a few people have confused health shops with head shops, as the names sound so similar on the radio. Anybody who has had dealings with a health food shop will vouch for the huge difference between the two. A head shop is in fact a retail outlet selling, amongst other products, drug paraphernalia.

While all businesses must of course make enough money to keep their doors open, money-making appears to be the first and only principle behind the operation of head shops.

The total contrast with our own Association’s ethics is clear. Our members operate to a written > Code of Ethics, which lays down compulsory standards for any employee who is advising customers on the shop floor, designed to protect our customers’ well-being.

How could anyone possibly compare the substances sold in head shops with our organic whole-foods or echinacea? - Think again!

18 Apr 2010 - Shop profile :: Remedies, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Remedies, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

23 Mar 2010 - IAHS member scoops both prestigious awards

Achieving international recognition at the > Health Food Institute Annual Awards Luncheon has become an annual event with IAHS members continuously receiving one or the other of the two main awards over the past 5 years. However - never before has one person scooped both!

In what can only be described as a Marathon achievement, IAHS member Kate Murray, The Hopsack, Rathmines received the two top awards, beating all competitors from the UK and Ireland in the professional diploma exam.

Kate was awarded the honours by the HFI training in the UK and received the Jimmy Lee Richardson Award for the highest overall marks AND the Teddy Marsden Award for exceptional understanding of the principles of holistic health, health foods and natural healing.



In London on Feb 9th. Kate received her awards, which underline our commitment to training and demonstrate again how well IAHS standards measure up in an international context. Congratulations, Kate!

8 Mar 2010 - Shop profile :: Sonas Wholefoods, Newcastle West, Limerick

Sonas Wholefoods, Lower Maiden Street, Newcastle West, Limerick

It was a chance invitation to set up a health food store in Newcastle West which first spurred Rosemarie Bennis into action. Now nearly eight years on, Sonas is a thriving business and, a key shopping and reference point in West Limerick.

Employing four highly trained staff, Sonas offers a full and comprehensive range of organic wholefoods and beverages, nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy and eco friendly cleaning products. Organic spelt bread is provided fresh daily, as are salad leaves in season and organic fruit and vegetables to order.

Combine all this with a chilled and frozen section, a classic range of organic wine, all natural skin and hair care, and you have, as Rosemarie suggests, 'everything for your weekly shop'.

For further details please phone: 069 78944

20 Jan 2010 - Rude Health Week :: February 15th - 20th

The Irish Association of Health Stores is launching its first ever Rude Health Week to encourage ongoing good health habits around the country all year long.

The organisers of the hugely successful Rude Health at the RDS exhibition, which takes place each September, are promoting this Rude Health Week from Monday, February 15th to Saturday 20th in all IAHS stores throughout Ireland.

“Many of our members have found from customer feedback that people would like a boost between our very popular annual Rude Health shows in the RDS. We felt that a Rude Health Week in early Spring would be a good time to highlight the need for people to look after themselves as naturally as possible, all year round” says Kevin Connolly of the Irish Association of Health Stores.

“There was a 25% increase in attendance at Rude Health last September. It was clear that stress sleeping problems were major concerns of people attending the Show and that more people than ever are looking for safe alternative solutions.

“People are also worried about hospital bugs and doctors' bills so they are more aware of the importance of preventing illness and promoting wellbeing. We want this Rude Health Week to be a reminder for people that they can come into any of our stores and talk to highly trained and qualified staff who can give them excellent advice on improving their health and lifestyles very naturally and safely.”



Members of the IAHS represent Ireland's leading health stores and their Code of Ethics ensures their staff are trained to offer professional guidance and advice on healthy diets, natural remedies, eco-friendly alternatives to standard detergents and skincare, and much more besides. In short, your local store offers a 'one stop shop' for the maintenance of good health by natural means.

Rude Health Week will give customers the opportunity to avail of special offers, free talks and lots more to celebrate Ireland's independent health stores.

“We think mid February is a good time for Rude Health Week as this is when many people's good intentions start to flag a little bit!” says Kevin Connolly. “We have just started into a new decade, as well as a new year, and we hope that Rude Health Week will really help people to embrace a naturally healthier lifestyle“.

Rude Health Week will take place in all Irish Association of Health Stores shops from Monday February 15th to Saturday February 20th. Visit your local IAHS store for more details.

30 Dec 2009 - Shop profile :: Hemp and Things, Cahersiveen, Co.Kerry

Hemp & Things, 22 Main Street, Cahersiveen

The uniquely named IAHS member store contains even more than everything you need to reveal a more natural you, stocking one of the largest selections of organic whole foods in the country, including Nadura’s organic breads, baked weekly, delicious organic cheeses, herbal teas, natural skincare products, vitamin supplements and herbal preparations, plant based oils, pure fragrances and products for the home to mention just a few.

Of course, Suzan McCarthy-Turan continues her wholesale business with own
>Hemp-Cottage label, including the popular organic hemp seed oil and seeds, as well as the extensive range of Primavera pure essential oils, Aroma Body and Face Care and aromatherapy accessories.

Please swing by on your next stop in this beautiful south Kerry town.

12 Nov 2009 - Shop profile :: Evolv, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford

Evolv - lobby view

One of the more modern health stores in the country is nestled in the historic and scenic town of Enniscorthy. Run by Matt, Nuala and their high-energy team of staff! Evolv is a shop people just love spending time in.

Newly built & designed in 06 this large store spreads itself over three levels. Certainly all you'd expect from a normal health store is here and in spades, however this is combined with a full section of books, another of incense, then there's jewellery - natural and organic body care. Fair-trade & funky clothing! Gifts, juicers, speciality teas, therapies, allergy testing, full beauty salon!!! Whoa! This store has a lot to offer!

For more info' talk to the Evolv crew on 053-923 6009. Have fun!

28 Oct 2009 - Irish Government bans all GM crops

IRELAND ADOPTS GM-FREE ZONE POLICY

The Irish Government will ban the cultivation of all GM crops and introduce a voluntary GM-free label for food – including meat, poultry, eggs, fish, crustaceans, and dairy produce made without the use of GM animal feed.

The policy was adopted as part of the Renewed Programme for Government agreed between the two coalition partners, the centre-right Fianna Faíl and the Green Party, after the latter voted to support it on Saturday.
The agreement specifies that the Government will “Declare the Republic of Ireland a GM-Free Zone, free from the cultivation of all GM plants”. The official text also states “To optimise Ireland’s competitive advantage as a GM-Free country, we will introduce a voluntary GM-Free logo for use in all relevant product labelling and advertising, similar to a scheme recently introduced in Germany.”

The President of the Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association, Malcolm Thompson, said he was delighted by the announcement, adding, “The Government’s new GM-free policy is the fulfillment of what we at ICSA have held for the last five years. I very much look forward to its full implementation.”

Michael O’Callaghan of GM-free Ireland said the policy signals a new dawn for Irish farmers and food producers:
“The WTO’s economic globalisation agenda has forced most Irish farmers to enter an unwinnable race to the bottom for low quality GM-fed meat and dairy produce, in competition with countries like the USA, Argentina and Brazil which can easily out-compete us with their highly subsidised GM crop monocultures, cheap fossil fuel, extensive use of toxic agrochemicals that are not up to EU standards, and underpaid migrant farm labour”.

19 Oct 2009 - Shop profile :: Harvest Fare, Blessington, Co. Wicklow

Caroline Conron & Mary Davis of Harvest Fare

Harvest Fare was established in 1999 by Caroline Conron and Mary Davis. It has since become a very busy Healthstore serving the growing population of Blessington. They have always strived to be a centre of excellence on health in their community and have a strong focus on organic foods, while also supplying organic fruit and vegetables, eggs, bread and chilled products.

John and Sally McKenna's Bridgestone Guide has accredited Harvest Fare for their commitment to supplying quality food in their area and they proudly display the Bridgestone quality symbol outside their store.

Caroline is also a Homoeopath and runs a clinic in the centre’s treatment rooms where acupuncture, massage, reflexology, amatsu, osteopathy and nutritional counseling are also on offer. While Mary as well as working in the shop is also involved in organic farming with her husband producing natural country butter and yogurt.

An IAHS member store well worth a visit.

19 Sep 2009 - A good news story about dietary supplements

In the current issue of the International Journal of Cancer Norwegian researchers report that women with solid tumours who used dietary supplements prior to diagnosis had better survival compared to non-users.

Researchers at the University of Tromso evaluated data from participants in the Norwegian Women and Cancer study, which began in 1991. Dietary questionnaires completed by the participants between 1996 and 1999 provided information on type and frequency of supplement use. The analysis was limited to 4,242 patients diagnosed with their first cancer between the time of completion of the questionnaire and 2007. Participants included those with breast, colorectal, lung and other solid tumours.

Cod liver oil was the most frequently reported dietary supplement used, followed by multivitamins and minerals. Women with solid tumours who reported using cod liver oil daily throughout the year had a 23 percent lower risk of dying over the study period compared to non-users.

For those who reported occasional use of other dietary supplements, there was a lower risk of mortality from all solid tumours. A reduction in the risk of dying of lung cancer was particularly associated with supplement use, with whole year daily users of cod liver oil experiencing a 44 percent lower risk, occasional users of other dietary supplements experiencing a 45 percent lower risk, and daily users of other supplements experiencing a 30 percent lower risk.

The authors note that their study is not the first to observe increase survival in lung cancer patients taking dietary supplements. They concluded that:

"More research is needed to understand the interplay between nutrients whether in food or supplements, and cancer survival."

9 Sep 2009 - Rude Health at the RDS 2009

Rude Health at the RDS is back this weekend with top class speakers on all aspects of health and wellbeing - and with a special emphasis on mental health issues to help us through these difficult times.



As well as enjoying the expertise of our top speakers at Rude Health you can also visit our exhibitor stands and enjoy tastings, cookery demos, and get free advice from qualified therapists on herbs, homeopathy, skin care and vitamins. Why not endorse, as we do, Hippocrates' maxim - 'Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food'.

Read on >>>>

1 Sep 2009 - GEARING UP FOR WINTER

Time flies! Insect repellents and sunscreens are already a thing of the past as we turn our focus on maintaining good health over the winter. Heading the agenda of advice from health stores is the importance of eating a healthy diet to keep our systems armed with natural vitamins and minerals, and drinking plenty of water, especially once the heating is turned on. If you need to top up, have a look at the latest supplements on our shelves produced from berries and foods – the nearest thing to “real” food but more concentrated and in very absorbable forms.

The spread of swine flu has created great interest in natural anti-viral remedies, but it must be said that at the time of writing the fatalities seem to have occurred overwhelmingly in people whose immunity was already seriously compromised.
Most people now know how well the herb Echinacea boosts immunity of adults and children, and that garlic fights off viruses as well as bacteria and fungi. Vitamin C, with huge research supporting its immune-strengthening properties, has a permanent place at many a breakfast table. Astragalus, golden seal and elderberries also possess well attested anti-viral properties. In China star anise is used specifically against swine flu, though here we know it mainly as a delicious aniseedy spice.

More natural products. Don’t overlook the fact that, as well as food supplements and herbal remedies, your local health store offers many roads to a more natural, less chemically-intensive lifestyle. If you are among the thousands who have discovered the joys of growing your own chemical-free veggies this year, think about what you put on your skin as well as into your mouth. It all ends up leaving an imprint on the body, so it’s worth looking out for organic and low-chemical toothpastes, mouth washes, hair colours, soaps, cosmetics, skincare and feminine hygiene products. This is doubly so where babies and children are concerned, so ask in your local health store about eco-friendly nappies and child-friendly toiletries. We look forward to seeing you!

29 Aug 2009 - Dr Robert Verkerk - Alliance for Natural Health

Dr Robert Verkerk talks about the sales, supply and research of pharmaceutical and natural health products in Europe at the Total Health Show in Toronto, Canada. (Listen up! at 4:06 mins.)

13 Aug 2009 - NATURAL WAYS TO BOOST IMMUNITY AGAINST VIRUSES

Hygiene. Observe sensible precautions – hand-washing etc.

Eat healthily. Avoid processed foods in favour of freshly harvested local fruit and veg, and freshly prepared fish, meat and eggs as protein sources. Sugar damages the immune system.

Garlic is naturally anti-viral. (Also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, blood-thinning.) Add to food at the end of cooking to avoid damaging the active enzyme.

Supplementation.
Echinacea makes the immune system more active, better able to combat viruses and bacteria, and is available in tablet and tincture (liquid) forms for adults and children.

Vitamin C has proven anti-viral properties. Available in liquid, capsule and tablet forms for adults and children. The mineral zinc is vital for immunity.

Specific anti-viral herbal remedies : most popular are elderberry, olive leaf extract, astragalus and golden seal. Blackcurrent and bilberry are also useful.

Some of the above are available combined in all-in-one tablets or capsules.

Colloidal silver, known for centuries for its biocidal properties, can be sprayed around mouth and nose and/or taken internally for protection against viruses.

NB: If you are currently taking prescribed medication or are pregnant, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking any supplements.

4 Aug 2009 - Immune Systems, Sun and Summer Fruits

In the summer, members of the IAHS generally find that you, our customer, ask about immunity mainly in terms of hay fever prevention. Will it be different this year?

At the time of writing there’s a lot of talk, but not much knowledge about swine ‘flu and whether it could become a pandemic or fizzle out like bird ‘flu.

The golden rules for protection from any virus or bacteria never change: eat healthily [be aware that sugars damages the immune system], get sufficient rest, exercise adequately and avoid stress.

Garlic, the most widely-used medicinal herb in the world, has strong anti-viral properties, as have elderberries. Echinacea helps to modulate the immune system, while vitamin C, olive leaf and probiotics boost it. Your local health store will add to the list!

Have any articles on vitamin D caught your eye recently? It is the new superhero of food supplements, with well-established benefits for immunity and fighting tumours, as well as for calcium absorption.

Vitamin D is naturally produced when UVB rays in sunlight strike our skin, which is why many of the best-formulated skin moisturisers do not contain it as a blocking agent. UVA rays are the baddies, and protection against them is sensible, and of course sunburn is also to be avoided.

So choose a moisturiser free from UVB blockers, and on that topic, ask your local health store for sunscreen products, which do not contain OCM [octyl methoxycinnamate]. This is a toxic addition to many sunscreens and best avoided, particularly for children.



As we welcome the wonderful summer fruits and vegetables, do think about buying locally, whether from your health store or farmers’ market, and if you can afford the extra cents to buy fresh and organic, go for it!

Not only are you supporting the local economy, but it’s well established that organic crops are higher in nutrients than food grown in tired soils fed with artificial fertilisers.

Health stores have a wide variety of organic oils, vinegars and mustards for your salad dressings, and what about adding a sprinkle of pink peppercorns to your salad - delicious flavour as well as a beautiful colour.

14 Jul 2009 - European Commission strongly censured over Irish & UK water fluoridation.

The European Commission’s decision to refer the water fluoridation chemicals used in Ireland and the UK – alone in all EU member states --  for risk assessment by the Scientific Committee on Environment and Health (SCHER) has attracted sweeping censure. Critics include European members of International Society of Doctors for the Environment(ISDE), the Irish Association of Health Stores(IAHS)  and Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment, which has long campaigned against fluoride chemicals being added to  Irish drinking water.
 
Cork-based GP, Dr Philip Michael, Vice President of the European branch of  ISDE, has challenged the competence of SCHER to investigate fluoridation chemicals. As pharmacological substances used to allegedly prevent dental caries, they can only be  assessed as medicinal products, something that the European doctors group says the SCHER committee is not qualified to do.
 
Dr Michael informed the Commission on June 2nd 2009  “ As doctors, we do not accept that the terms of reference for risk assessment of fluoridated drinking water given by the Commission to SCHER satisfy the  essential clinical requirements for pharmacologically active substances. These are that they should be  safe and effective after clinically conducted trials, and the quality and dissemination of information about these substances to citizens must be such as  to enable them to make informed choices about their own treatment."
 
ISDE claimed that SCHER’s expertise is limited to the health effects of environmental pollutants and its own published mandate does not extend to pharmacologically active products such as the fluorosilicates added to drinking water. In the only two EU member states, Ireland and England, which invoke the medicinal claim that fluorosilicates in drinking water prevent tooth decay, these chemicals have never been subjected to clinical trials or licensing, as required under pharmacovigilance across the EU. Their use in drinking water is therefore unlawful under the Medicines Directive 2001/83/EC as amended by 2004/27/EC.
 
Dr Michael added  “ We can not envisage any circumstances in which the terms of reference assigned to SCHER for scientific risk assessment of fluoridation of drinking water could contribute to helping citizens in the EU make informed choices about the issue. ”
 
Commented IAHS President Jill Bell, also from Cork “ The Irish Medicines Board is hyper-vigilant about perfectly safe health supplements sold by IAHS members, however when it comes to untrialled and unlicensed fluorides in most public drinking water, the drugs watchdog does not bark at all.”   
 
Fluoridation also infringes the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) yet successive Environment Commissioners including Ms Margot Wallstrom,  have failed to enforce the Drinking Water Directive in Ireland. This Directive is meant to protect consumer health from such contaminants, and has been demanded by repeated questions to the Commission by Irish and English MEPs since 1999.
 
VOICE spokesman, Robert Pocock stated “Last year we provided the Commission with official Irish evidence of the epidemic of dental fluorosis affecting children in Ireland. Every year, hundreds of Irish teenagers pay a huge psychological price from moderate or severe fluorosis of their teeth. But instead of holding the Irish government to account as we requested, the Commission has pushed the problem on to a committee of European scientists unequipped for the task. ”
 
Pocock added “ With this medical intervention discredited as too risky in twenty-five other EU member states, what purpose can  this risk assessment serve?  The Commission is clearly engaged in a diversion to cover up its own failure to enforce the relevant directives, in particular the Medicines Directive (2004/27/EC).”         
 
“Sadly,” Pocock commented, “ Brussels seems more intent on protecting the vested interests of one or two individual government’s bizarre policy, rather than the health of thousands of Irish and UK children adversely affected by over-exposure to fluoride”.

Press release by > Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment.

12 Jul 2009 - Opening of the New Evergreen Store

Jan deVries is cutting the ribbon in Galway.

The new Evergreen store in Mainguard Street in the heart of Galway city provides everything a health store shopper could need or want. Ten years ago Aideen and Ciaran Hurley opened their first store on this site. In the intervening years Evergreen has become a familiar part of the landscape in Barna and Moycullan as well as in Westside and Galway Shopping Centres.

The first store now becomes the fifth with its extension taking over the building next door. In his official opening of the new and beautiful store Jan deVries spoke about the positive message this store gives to the people of Galway at this time. The original building dates back to medieval times and is only a stone’s throw from the Spanish Arch, where, it is said, Christopher Columbus stopped on his way to discover America.

As well as its extensive range of products Evergreen prides itself on training with two of its team – Aoife Calnan and Polly Morgan – having won top prize for healthstore training over Ireland and the UK. Whether it’s quality bodycare, good healthy foods, or vitamins or herbs, the staff at the new Evergreen store in Mainguard St. under the command of the knowledgeable and caring Colette will be delighted to look after you.

Also check out > Evergreen’s new online shop.

24 Jun 2009 - Rude Health at the RDS is back this September ...

... with top class speakers on all aspects of health and wellbeing - and with a special emphasis on Mental Health issues to help us through these difficult times.

Ireland's largest and liveliest natural health and sustainable lifestyle show is more relevant than ever as it offers visitors to this close-packed two day weekend of products, free seminars & workshops, plus fun, and expert advice on being happy and healthy - in mind and body.

This exciting two day event on Saturday September 12th and Sunday 13th has something for everyone in a country that asks more questions about our health than any other nation in Europe!

For more details go to our > Events page.

28 Jan 2009 - Irish government hosts ‘vitamin wars’ debate

...and is criticised for equating RDAs with optimum intake levels.

A public meeting was held in Dublin yesterday to debate key issues over the European Commission’s imminent plans to impose maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements across the EU. The meeting, held at the Alexander Hotel, was convened by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and aimed to allow the FSAI’s Food Safety Consultative Council and the 150 registered members of the public attending—including health store owners, nutritional therapists and consumers—to debate the controversial issues surrounding the implementation of the proposed law.

The four invited speakers who set the scene for the debate were, in speaking order: Dr Robert Verkerk, executive and scientific director of the Alliance for Natural Health, representing also the Irish Association of Health Stores; Dr Mary Flynn, chief specialist in Public Health Nutrition for the FSAI; Basil Mathioudakis, from the food law unit of the European Commission, and; Dr Alan Ruth, CEO of the Irish Health Trade Association, the Irish trade body representing manufacturers.

Dr Mary Flynn argued on behalf of the Irish government saying that it had no inclination to change its long-standing position that has yet to be implemented in practice, which disapproves of any supplementation over the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Controversially, she stated, “RDAs represent optimal levels of intake and it’s a puzzle to us why anyone would want to go over the RDA”. She argued that there was no evidence that supplementation over the RDA yielded any benefits to health.

Dr. Verkerk commented, “The Irish government view seems to be out of touch with the latest scientific thinking in the fields of functional and integrative medicine,” and continued, “Dr Flynn repeatedly referred to RDAs as reflecting optimal intake amounts, while this is simply not true in the case of many people. She’s effectively saying the advanced forms of supplements in Ireland’s excellent health stores, and those supplied by nutritional therapists, are worthless and the very most you need is a 100% RDA one-a-day multivitamin from your local supermarket.”

Dr Alan Ruth also heavily criticised the Irish government’s reliance on the RDA. “It’s actually illegal, based on European case law, for a government to insist on limiting dosages to less than 3 times the RDA on the basis that it can be shown—as is generally the case—that such doses present no risk to public health”.

While Dr. Flynn also claimed that above-RDA supplementation exposed people to risks, including “unknown” ones, Dr Verkerk showed that flawed and excessively precautionary risk analysis had given regulators a false picture of the risks associated with supplemented nutrients. Dr Verkerk explained that when regulators use risk analysis methods to tell them what they think to be maximum safe levels, they should then validate these levels against known science and, in particular, data from the clinical practice of nutrition. Commenting on this, he said, “A glass of carrot juice or a day of healthy eating with lots of fruits and vegetables, can provide you with over 10 or 20 times the so-called maximum safe level of beta-carotene proposed by either the German authorities or even the slightly higher levels proposed by the large European trade associations. The problem is that regulators don’t distinguish between natural and synthetic forms of nutrients and most of the data they use comes from unsuccessful, large intervention studies often sponsored by pharmaceutical interests. By using these data and ignoring a very large and growing body of evidence on the benefits of supplemental nutrients, regulators will discriminate against those wanting to support their health with naturally-derived, food-state or even nature-identical nutrients.”

Recognising the importance of the role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in conducting risk analyses that will form the basis for the proposed EU-wide maximum levels, Dr Verkerk said, “EFSA needs to correct some of the fundamentally flawed science being used. For example, the central element of the main model they’re working with cannot be sustained scientifically. It is simply not true to assert that the risk to consumers increases proportionately as the margin between the RDA and the Upper Safe Level narrows. This is because the nature of the risk itself varies greatly from one nutrient to another, and indeed, often from nutrient form to nutrient form.”

He also explained how existing models could be corrected to better reflect known science. Dr Verkerk said, “EFSA seems to be changing its risk analysis rules to suit particular outcomes. For example, it’s given negative opinions on supplemental forms of vanadium and vitamin E, while it has recently cleared the use of the form of fluoride used in toothpastes and other oral hygiene products for use in food supplements. They can only do this by manipulating their risk assessment methods.”

Basil Mathioudakis confirmed to a largely relieved audience that the European Commission was planning to propose that no maximum levels be set for vitamins and minerals for which there was no identified safety concern. He also said “…the Commission’s objectives are to ensure availability of a wide choice of safe products for consumers and the free movement of goods, which of course is the Lisbon agenda.”

The speakers and FSAI Council entertained questions from the floor for over an hour in what turned into a lively debate. Irish health store owners and nutritional practitioners expressed grave concerns over the effects of excessive restriction, and also commented that over-regulation in areas such as this would divert attention from more important consumer safety issues such as consumption of excessive sugar, unhealthy fats and fluoridated water, as well as irradiated and genetically engineered foods.

Jill Bell, President of the Irish Association of Health Stores, an active participant in the debate, said, “While this Directive is going to liberalise some of the ultra-restrictive regimes in a number of Member States, this won’t be the case in countries like Ireland, the UK, Holland and Sweden.” She continued, “In these countries, the Directive as planned will undoubtedly result in the erosion of consumer choice. The ground will be set for multinationals to trade seamlessly between all European Member States, while many innovative SMEs—as well as the practice of nutritional therapy—could be wiped out.”

In the debate, Robert Pocock, a campaigner representing the Irish environmental group VOICE, said, “Mr Mathioudakis claimed that the publication of an EFSA opinion signified that a product was safe, yet EFSA’s recent clearance of the use in food supplements of sodium monofluorophosphate—the form of fluoride added to toothpaste and other dentrifice products—completely undermines its credibility in risk assessment.”

21 Jan 2009 - SUCCESS IN EUROPE AS IRISH PETITION ON FOOD SUPPLEMENTS IS KEPT OPEN

On Monday, the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) defended its petition in the European Parliament against the European Commissions planned setting of EU wide maximum limits for dosages of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The petition, submitted originally in December 2007 with the support of 60,000 Irish citizens, claims that measures to harmonise maximum levels of vitamin and mineral food supplements under the Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC) - soon to be implemented by the European Commission - will unduly impact consumers, health stores and practitioners in Ireland.

Instead of being closed down, the apparent goal of the European Commission, the European Parliaments Petitions Committee chairman insisted that the petition be kept open.


Erica Murray, Dr Robert Verkerk, Kathy Sinnott (MEP) and Jill Bell outside the European Parliament's Petitions Committee room, Brussels


Further, the chairman requested that the issues be referred to the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) for further consideration. Additionally, the European Commission has been asked to provide a written response to the Petitions Committee on the challenges raised in yesterday’s discussions.

All four Irish members of the European Parliament’s Committee who attended and participated in the discussions expressed concerns over the Commission’s proposals and their potential impacts on businesses and consumers, as did the only UK MEP partaking in the discussion, Roger Helmer. There were no dissenting voices among any of the MEPs.

Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott, Vice-Chair of the Petitions Committee and host of the petition, said: “This Directive is unreasonable and controlling. It has become a great worry to people all over Ireland who shop in local Health Food Stores and who use vitamins and minerals to improve and maintain their health.”

Referring to the proposed regime, Ms Sinnott added, “In the case of my own son, while the new regulation might aim to ‘protect’ him from higher dose supplements, these are the very supplements that have protected him from malnutrition and that have saved his life. Yet they are now at risk of being banned.”

Dr Robert Verkerk, scientific advisor to the IAHS—who presented on behalf of the petitioners—said, “There are numerous scientific flaws in the risk management methods being considered by the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority, and small businesses and health-conscious consumers will be the real losers if the approach is not altered to reflect the known science.”

Dr Verkerk urged that real scientific debate should begin following the imminent release of the Commission’s ‘draft’ proposals for maximum levels. He also warned that the imposition of blanket, EU-wide maximum levels for vitamin and mineral supplements would encourage, through the internet, a black market of completely unregulated products that would potentially expose consumers to significant risks. Verkerk said, “the inevitable development of a black market would fly in the face of the Commission’s stated objective of bringing in this measure to protect consumers.”

The European Commission’s case was presented by Basil Mathioudakis, Head of the Food Law, Nutrition & Labelling Unit. Mr Mathioudakis indicated that he expected that the Commission would be ready to publish draft maximum levels at the end of February or in March. In his response to the Irish petition he stated that the main purpose of the proposed law was to ensure consumers were adequately protected. He also mentioned that there were political as well as scientific pressures towards the lowering of dosages of supplements in countries like Ireland, the UK, Holland and Sweden which presently allow higher doses than most of the rest of the EU.

Irish MEP Marian Harkin, commenting on yesterday’s meeting, said: “Good science is the primary requirement here. The models used by the Commission need proper validation.” She asked: “How can you set limits for nutrients that don’t take into account the variations in food quality between different geographic regions in Europe or between seasons, where it may be hard to get fresh, nutritious produce during the winter months?”

“There is a very strong case for some degree of national competence being retained”, added Ms Harkin, “and for bringing in partial rather than total harmonisation of these levels. This could create a win-win situation for all parties, while ensuring risks from both over-consumption and under-consumption of vitamins and minerals are minimised.”  

Jill Bell, chair of the IAHS, who was also present at the meeting of the Petitions Committee, said, “The IAHS is delighted with the support MEPs gave our petition and with chairman Libicki’s evident willingness to give us a good hearing. We look forward to the opening of more detailed discussions and are optimistic that the importance of up-to-date science may now impact on EFSA’s deliberations. Any delay in the setting of MPLs is to be greatly welcomed if based on the application of sound science and proportionate law, and all parties should be pleased if such a meeting of minds can be achieved.”

The issue will be debated further at an open meeting of the Food Safety Consultative Council of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in Dublin on 27th January. Dr Robert Verkerk, Mr Basil Mathioudakis, Dr Mary Flynn (from FSAI) and Dr Alan Ruth (from the Irish Health Trade Association) will be the main speakers.
For further information, see > www.fsai.ie/consultative_council/Consultative_Council_Open_Meeting_Invite_2009.pdf

8 Dec 2008 - Irish natural health organisations call on European leaders to respect Irish ‘No’ vote

A group of leading Irish natural health organisations and their supporters are calling on European leaders attending this week’s European Council meeting in Brussels to respect the Irish ‘No’ vote on the controversial Lisbon Treaty. Citing their deep concern regarding the European Commission’s undemocratic and opaque way of approving GM food and farming products, the European Union’s proposed restrictions on the sale of both vitamin supplements and herbal medicines, and its failure to protect consumers in Ireland from hazardous waste fluoride in drinking water, they say that should a second referendum be held on the treaty they will be advocating that it should again be rejected.

The organisations - which include the GM-free Ireland Network, the Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-operative Society, the Irish Association of Health Stores and the Irish Institute of Nutrition & Health – say that the European Union is increasingly having such a damaging effect on their sector that to expect them to vote ‘Yes’ for the Lisbon Treaty would be absurd and akin to expecting them to vote in favour of the contamination of the Irish ecosystem and food chain by GM crops; the continued removal of people’s freedom of choice to avail themselves of safe, natural approaches to healthcare; and the ongoing pollution of the drinking water supply by industrial waste fluorides.

Michael O’Callaghan, Coordinator of the GM-free Ireland Network, said: “The European Commission still refuses to recognise the right of EU Member States and Regions to establish blanket bans on GM crops, despite the fact that the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales — along with 10 governments, 175 regional governments, 3,500 local authorities and thousands of smaller areas across 22 EU member states — intend to implement such bans, or have already done so. Worse still, it keeps on placing new GM food and feed products on the EU market — against the wishes of the vast majority of retailers and consumers – and automatically legalises them when member states don’t reach a Qualified Majority Vote for or against. The Lisbon Treaty would extend similar undemocratic decision-making to many other areas that affect our daily lives. Building the architecture of Europe on such shaky foundations is a recipe for long-term political, economic, environmental, health and ecological disasters. Like human beings everywhere, European citizens want more democracy, not less!”

John Brennan, on behalf of the Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-operative Society, is also calling on the EU to respect the Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty: “Our members remain very concerned about the lack of democracy illustrated by the approval process for GMO’s in agriculture and the role of the EU Commission and European Food Safety Authority in this process. In addition, co-op members who are involved in health food businesses are gravely concerned about the Food Supplements Directive and the effect it will have in preventing consumers from accessing supplements and natural medicines that are proven to maintain good physical and mental health in the population who rely on them.”

Kathy Sinnott, Member of the European Parliament for Ireland South, commented: "Under existing treaties, Irish consumers exposed to hazardous waste fluorides in their drinking water have been failed by non-enforcement of several key Directives that are supposed to protect human health and the environment. We already have the Food Supplements Directive, which poses a real threat to our vitamin and mineral supplements. Under the Lisbon Treaty, we will have even less influence over European legislation as regards our health, nutrition and other vital aspects of our lives."

Jill Bell, health store owner and president of the Irish Association of Health Stores added: “Last year over 60,000 consumers in Ireland signed a petition objecting to over-regulation by the EU which threatens to remove from public sale the majority of effective natural health supplements on the market and to stifle innovation. Why should our culture of promoting and safeguarding our health by natural means be banished in order to promote “harmonisation” throughout the EU? The EU should respect differences of tradition between Member States. Its attempts to impose sameness overall, specifically in relation to natural health care, will win no friends if the Lisbon Treaty referendum is re-run.”

Richard Burton, director of the Irish Institute of Nutrition & Health, said: “Millions of Europeans routinely take vitamins and minerals to supplement their diet and support their health. Despite the enviable safety profile of these natural, essential nutrients the EU wants to regulate them as potential toxins, like drugs, rather than as foods. This will outlaw supplements having therapeutic potential, which represents a violation of our basic right to care for our own health in safe and effective ways.”

Paul Anthony Taylor, Coordinator of the European Referendum Initiative, pointed out that Ireland is by no means alone in not having ratified the Lisbon Treaty: “I find it particularly ironic that despite German Chancellor Angela Merkel having appealed to the Irish people to vote yes to the Lisbon Treaty, even her own government has not as yet been able to ratify it. As such, and bearing in mind the reason why German ratification has not taken place – namely, the fact that legal challenges have been brought against it on the grounds that it infringes the principle of democracy – it is increasingly clear that with the Czech president now signalling that he won’t sign the treaty unless it is ratified by Ireland, and Poland also not as yet having ratified it, Irish natural health supporters are by no means alone in opposing the further loss of control over their lives that this treaty’s enforcement would usher in. Without doubt, had citizens in all 27 member states been permitted to exercise their democratic rights by voting in referendums on this treaty, it would have been abandoned long ago.”

20 May 2008 - Save Our Supplements Ireland

An independent film producer has released a video about EU regulation of vitamins (Food Supplements Directive), which can be > viewed on YouTube.



The issue highlighted in the video is only the tip of the iceberg for those of us who value freedom of choice in healthcare. There is more draconian regulation to come from the EU - in particular, a directive on herbal products (Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive) and a regulation on nutrition and health claims (NHCR).

31 Mar 2008 - Retailers ask suppliers to declare herbals policy

The IAHS has written to manufacturers and distributors about their policy on registering herbal products under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD).

Under the requirements of THMPD most herbal products will have to be licensed by the relevant national body (the Irish Medicines Board in Ireland, the MHRA in Britain).

Currently just a handful of products out of an estimated 500-1,000 affected lines have gained a licence. Retailers fear that unless manufacturers proactively start to engage with registration process hundreds of “bread and butter” products will star to disappear when the THMPD’s transition period ends in April 2011.

We are asking suppliers to indicate which products have been registered with the IBM to date, and which products they expect will be registered by the January 2010 cut off date (only those products for which licences have been applied by 1st January 2010 can remain on the market while the application is being processed).

This information is important for health stores for future planning and in assessing “the long-term viability of our current stock”.

21 Jan 2008 - Aspartame

IAHS members will eliminate products containing aspartame from their shelves in 2008.

Aspartame is touted as a solution for obesity and dental caries. It is widely available in products labelled 'sugar free'. Developed 25 years ago, it was licensed as a food ingredient by devious means. Consumption of it is on the increase, with 2,000 tons of the stuff currently consumed annually in Europe. As both a neurotoxin and an excitotoxin, it has proven links with a wide range of health problems, including various cancers, infertility, birth defects, grand mal seizures, ADD and ADHD, Parkinsons and Alzheimers, depression, memory loss, vision loss, vertigo and fibromyalgia, to name but a few.

As purveyors of health, it is incumbent on us not to sell a product containing a substance which carries with it the potential for causing serious health problems.