As comments on my original
diary on this topic slowed (especially after a
comment that according to
Snopes, the Codex 'price scare' was a legend) I found myself thinking twice; in this Raw Deal era where black is white, could there still be some truth to the story? I decided to check with German friends anyway...
Not for nothing, this is the babelfish translation of my request to know whether the Codex was affecting the EU and whether it was raising prices of say, zinc, as high as $150. Contrary to Snopes claim that prices are
not rising exhorbitantly, this German says
they certainly are.CODEX alimentarius will enter into force starting from August 2005 in the European Union. At present one receives all food auxiliary means in Germany still at the old price. Also after the entry into force of the European Union directive it will give to buy further food additions here, but are taken completely some by the market. If you throw a view into the European Union guideline 2002/46/EG, you will state that for example zinc acetate, zinkchlorid, zinc CIT advice, Zinkgluconat, Zinklactat, zinc oxide, zinc carbonate and Zinksulphat to be used to be allowed. Other zinc forms fall then under the "spell". With the vitaminen and minerals, which may be used during the production of food auxiliary means, e.g. the natural, innocuous Tocotrienole (vitamin E) is, vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin, Magnesiumglycinat (best compatible magnesium), Magnesiumorotat, vanadium, boron, silicon, chrome Picolinat, CO enzyme Q10, etc. not specified. However fluorine and chlorine may be used. Well, madly! You find the European Union document under:
http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=DE&numdoc=32
002L0046&model=guichett It is advisable, supplies of Q10 etc. to put on itself with consideration of the durability data. The prices will soon enormously tighten with security.
From what I understand of the translation, some minerals and vitamins - considered food additives - will be allowed
in food but not necessarily as supplements. And those that are available will be expensive enough that at least this writer is suggesting people stock up in advance. It also looks like "innocuous" supplements like vitamins E and B12 are not addressed while chemicals like flourine and chlorine will be allowed (in food)?! If any German speakers out there can make a more accurate interpretation of the post's syntax, or would read the EU document at the link, I would certainly appreciate it.
I'm not suggesting that the issue is a "crises" ala Bush-Speak, but I am seriously suggesting that given the Reward-Your-Friends nature of the 109th, there is a real likelihood that Big Pharma lobbyists and interests could use the Codex principles to 'advise' the FDA to 'suggest' food-additive and supplemental 'safegaurds' to pass what
looks like a consumer-friendly protection bill that will turn what
should be a consumer victory into yet another devestating loss for the little guy.
Remember, the political bait-and-switch of this administration is all about the Appearance of Doing Good AND stealth bills. There are many whip-lashed Kossacks wondering how a bill got on the floor before they even heard it coming--I'm suggesting that maybe, one restricting supplement use and availability while increasing cost, could be on the way. Just a thought...