Showing posts with label food safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food safety. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Fonterra Botulism scare: Here is a statement from our suppliers about the safety of their whey protein
Monday, February 20, 2012
How to send in a submission on The Natural Health Products Bill in just a few minutes
SUBMISSIONS
On The Natural Health Products Bill
Submissions are due by 24 Feb 2012
We have been getting quite a few enquiries about The Natural Health Products Bill
The more people who make a submission the more likely the government is to respond to our concerns.
The Food Bill was a 378 page bill that was introduced to parliament in 2010. Very few people were aware of it and there were only 66 written submissions on it. It is about to go up for it’s second reading very soon and unless there is a public outcry, it could soon be law.
To find out more about its dangers and what else you can do about it, go to: NZ Food Security
The Natural Health Products Bill is a 38 page bill that aims to regulate vitamins, minerals, herbs etc as a different class of products, distinct from foods or pharmaceutical medicines. Like the Food Bill this is being rushed through, but this bill is one that we can still make submissions on for a few more days. Submissions on the Natural Health Products Bill are due by 24 Feb 2012
Both bills are long documents that are deliberately vague in their wording. The Natural Health Products Bill is what is known as a “thin" bill. The current Natural Health Products Bill also gives wide powers to whoever is charged with administering it.
A bill that is long and vague is very difficult to make a coherent submission on. The biggest danger of these bills is not what is actually said, but what is not said. In the Natural Health Products Bill, the lack of detail and wide powers given to those charged with administering it means that this bill could later be used or twisted by the government to mean almost anything.A key aim of The Natural Health Products Bill is to establish a Natural Health Products Regulator within the Ministry of Health, and make it a legal requirement to apply for a licence to manufacture natural health products in NZ. This will certainly create increased costs for manufacturers, distributors and consumers, and reduce the range of products available.
It’s important for the future of natural health products in NZ that as many people as possible make a submission on this bill, and if the government are going to write a long vague bill we may as well write a large number of vague submissions.
Only 66 submissions on the Food Bill was a poor result, though not really surprising given that the bill was incomprehensible and very few people knew about it. But we are aware of the Natural Health Products Bill, and the key thing here is not what to say in your submission; it’s the sheer number of submissions received. Our raw milk submissions numbered over 1600 which was pretty good – this is an even larger issue, so get a submission sent in urgently.
How to send in a submission in just a few minutes – here’s a sample submission template
(this is a very short version – we have a longer one online , and remember to personalise this a little to make it unique)
To the Health Select Committee, NZ House of Representatives
Re: Proposed Natural Health Products Bill
I am a natural health products consumer and I am seriously concerned about aspects of the proposed bill.
I request that the bill incorporates the proposals developed by the NZ Health Trust, consumer groups and NZ natural health industry groups. I am concerned that the tabled Natural Health Products Bill in its current form does not include most of these proposals.
I am concerned that the current proposal for the NZ natural health products industry to have to bear most of the costs of the Natural Health Products Regulator will cause an increase in the price of natural health products that would make many natural health products unaffordable. High compliance costs for businesses that manufacture or distribute natural health products also have the potential to drive many small companies out of business and this would lead to decreased choice and less competition within the natural health products market in NZ.
I believe that it is important that natural health products in NZ continue to be regulated by the NZ Natural Health Products Regulator, if NZ and Australia develop a joint agency to regulate pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices
[If you like, add statements here about how you and your family have benefited from the use of natural health products.]
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Ian Gregson & Deb Gully
Wellington Chapter
Weston A Price Foundation
Wellington Chapter
Weston A Price Foundation
12 Queens Drive
Kilbirnie
Wellington 6022
New Zealand
Kilbirnie
Wellington 6022
New Zealand
Ph 04 934 6366
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Thursday, September 08, 2011
Food Safety Bill may kill off farm gate sales
Food Bill 160 appears to be creating Draconian laws to outlaw something that is not a problem. While there is some opposition, this Bill may sneak through to become law without adequate public debate. In the USA food co-ops have been subjected to armed raids. It looks to me like we are heading down the same path. We need to be careful. The farmer's market and farm gate sales may become things of the past and we will be dependent on the big producers. We may also lose access to many natural vitamins and minerals.
Please read this article, please pass it on to your friends and, if you are in Wellington, join the rally on 17th Sept.
And what do you think? Please place your comments below.
And what do you think? Please place your comments below.
There will be a peaceful walk across Wellington to raise awareness of New Zealand Governement Food Bill 160-2. I am not trying to make this a protest in the traditional sense, but more a lowkey event to help raise awareness through the distribution of information regarding the Food Bill, so in turn people can make an informed decision for themselves.
Will start in Newtown @ 11am on Saturday 17th September, meeting at the playground on the corner of Constable St & Riddiford St (which is on the main road right in the middle of Newtown). This will help broadcast messages before we start, being such a busy intersection. Our route will then take us all the way down the main road until the Basin Reserve, then a left across country until we hit Cuba St, then down hill until Manners St where we can turn left and trek across to Willis St and then smooth sailing down onto Lambton Quay then the final stretch to The Hive. This will conclude our beautiful stroll, at which point a high energy organic picnic will be available for devouring!! If the weather on Saturday doesnt look conjusive to walking across the city, I will setup somewhere on Cuba Street (possibly somewhere near the centre, close to the Health Food Store) and raise the banners and hand out information, for a couple of hours. No stress, no expectation. More info to come.... Kia Kaha ------------------------------ BILL KEY INFO In regards to where Food Bill 160-2 is right now: 'It has finished its select committee hearings and waiting for its second reading. No sign of it on order paper so hopefully won't get its second reading before elexction' (source: Sue Kedgley, Green Party) Main problems with the Food Bill - It turns a human right (to grow food and share it) into a government-authorised privilege that can be revoked by the Governor-General. - It makes it illegal to distribute “food” without authorisation, and it defines “food” in such a way that it includes nutrients, seeds, natural medicines, essential minerals and drinks (including water). - It will push up mainstream food prices by subjecting producers to red tape and registration costs. Food prices are already rising due to increased energy costs and commodity speculation, while effective disposable incomes are falling. - Growing food for distribution must be authorised, even for “cottage industries”, and such authorisation can be denied. - Under the Food Bill, Food Safety Officers can enter premises without a warrant using all equipment they deem necessary, including guns (Clause 265 – 1). Police can be Food Safety Officers, and so can members of the private sector, as at Clause 243. So Monsanto employees can raid premises like houses or marae without a warrant, backed up by armed police. - The Government has created this bill to keep in line with its World Trade Organisation obligations under an international scheme called Codex Alimentarius (“Food Book”). So it has to pass this bill in one form or another. - There are problems with Codex also. Codex will place severe restrictions on the content of vitamins, minerals and therapeutic compounds in food, drinks and supplements etc. The Food Bill means that non-complying producers can be shut down easily – thus it paves the way for the legal enforcement of Codex food regulations. (source: nzfoodsecurity.org) ------------------------------ LINKS Food Bill http://www.legislation.govt. Excellent IndymediaNZ coverage http://www.indymedia.org.nz/ More useful info http://nzfoodsecurity.org/ First real semi-mainstream coverage on bfm, Sep 1 http://95bfm.com/assets/sm/ Similar news from abroad http://www.informationliberati Current online petition http://www.petitiononline.co. NZ legislative process http://www.parliament.nz/en- |
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About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness. Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Food Inc - The Movie. food will never be the same again
Do you have a question?
Email Gary: gary at myotec.co.nz (Replace the "at" with @ and remove spaces). Please include any relevant background information to your question.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Check the label on that can of New Zealand Fruit before you buy
Big food retailers and manufacturers are cutting costs by dumping New Zealand suppliers and sourcing more food from giant farms and factories across the globe. Cheap oil and long distances to market underpin the new food order.
Forty per cent of New Zealand's pork now comes from overseas, as does half of our wheat. Last year, we even imported 9% of our lamb. We brought in $220 million of processed fruit and vegetables - more of those products than we exported.
When I looked closely on the cans of Watties and Oak in our pantry I was horrified to discover that they were from China!
Now, having spent a little time in China years ago I can confirm that it is as dirty and polluted as they say it is - probably more so than ever today. There are few controls on the use of pesticides and the air pollution is unbearable in many regions. Industrial chemicals are disposed straight into the fields and waterways to finally get into the food chain. Pre industrialisation, the practice of filtering human and other wastes through the stepped systems of paddy fields before being discharged into the waterways was perfection in recycling of nutrients. But this system is not the place to dump industrial wastes which then find their way into the food chain where it concentrates to toxic levels. Fruit trees suck up and concentrate these poisons in the fruit. Who knows what poisons find their way into that can of fruit salad that you are buying in the supermarket?
What quality of water do they use to wash and cook the fruit during the canning process? Sure its sterilised; but have you ever seen Chinese drinking water? I wouldn't even drink it after boiling!
Forty per cent of New Zealand's pork now comes from overseas, as does half of our wheat. Last year, we even imported 9% of our lamb. We brought in $220 million of processed fruit and vegetables - more of those products than we exported.
When I looked closely on the cans of Watties and Oak in our pantry I was horrified to discover that they were from China!
Now, having spent a little time in China years ago I can confirm that it is as dirty and polluted as they say it is - probably more so than ever today. There are few controls on the use of pesticides and the air pollution is unbearable in many regions. Industrial chemicals are disposed straight into the fields and waterways to finally get into the food chain. Pre industrialisation, the practice of filtering human and other wastes through the stepped systems of paddy fields before being discharged into the waterways was perfection in recycling of nutrients. But this system is not the place to dump industrial wastes which then find their way into the food chain where it concentrates to toxic levels. Fruit trees suck up and concentrate these poisons in the fruit. Who knows what poisons find their way into that can of fruit salad that you are buying in the supermarket?
What quality of water do they use to wash and cook the fruit during the canning process? Sure its sterilised; but have you ever seen Chinese drinking water? I wouldn't even drink it after boiling!
How robust is the quality control, including monitoring of toxins?
The fact today is that the food you are buying in clean and green New Zeland - and under the labels that are synonymous with our way of life (Watties and Oak) may actually be coming from one of the most polluted places on the planet.
Take action: If you are unhappy, as I am about this sad situation, write to your MP and insist that there be mandatory labelling detailing the place of origon of foods sold in New Zealand. Read the labels and favour foods that are grown and processed in New Zealand. You might have to pay a little more. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables that are locally grown.
The fact today is that the food you are buying in clean and green New Zeland - and under the labels that are synonymous with our way of life (Watties and Oak) may actually be coming from one of the most polluted places on the planet.
Take action: If you are unhappy, as I am about this sad situation, write to your MP and insist that there be mandatory labelling detailing the place of origon of foods sold in New Zealand. Read the labels and favour foods that are grown and processed in New Zealand. You might have to pay a little more. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables that are locally grown.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Goji Berry ban - an example of what we are in fo
"Goji berries, the latest healthy eating fad, may have to be removed from sale.
...the Food Standards Agency has warned health shops and supermarkets that unless the berry can be shown to have been commonly eaten in the European Union for more than 10 years, sale will have to cease on 23 March.
Importers and manufacturers will then face a two-year reapproval process.
The watchdog accepts there is no immediate threat to health but it must follow the EU rules.
The goji berries, said to help to combat heart disease, cancer and skin damage from the sun, have been eaten for centuries in China and other parts of Asia."
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Gary Moller comments:
If New Zealand allows the establishment of the NZ Food Standards Authority, we will face the same ridiculous situation. Of course, the consumer will pay for the additional costs.
Big Pharma, with the assistance of their health bureaucrat buddies and friendly politicians is fighting a campaign to neutralise the most potent threat to their dominance of healthcare dollars - natural therapies, including nutritional and traditional therapies by indigenous peoples. They want you all to be like the patient in the photo to the left!
If you let them win, then your harmless herbal remedies, cheap vitamin C and cheap joint food powder may one day only be available through a doctor's prescription. They will cost a bucket load more than they do now.
Annette King is the Minister in charge. She is a former dental nurse. Has she been sniffing the mercury amalgum? This might explain why she is persisting with this scheme that nobody other than big pharaceuticals want. I understand that premises are already in place and the staff have already been recruited despite the fact that the legislation has yet to be passed. This is a pre-emption of the democratic processes of Parliament.
Please write to the Minister, Annette King, New Zealand Government, Parliament Buildings, New Zealand (No stamp required) and express your concerns about the proposed Therapeutic Goods Agency and why not pay your local MP a visit? They will listen to you.
...the Food Standards Agency has warned health shops and supermarkets that unless the berry can be shown to have been commonly eaten in the European Union for more than 10 years, sale will have to cease on 23 March.
Importers and manufacturers will then face a two-year reapproval process.
The watchdog accepts there is no immediate threat to health but it must follow the EU rules.
The goji berries, said to help to combat heart disease, cancer and skin damage from the sun, have been eaten for centuries in China and other parts of Asia."
__________________________________
Gary Moller comments:
If New Zealand allows the establishment of the NZ Food Standards Authority, we will face the same ridiculous situation. Of course, the consumer will pay for the additional costs.Big Pharma, with the assistance of their health bureaucrat buddies and friendly politicians is fighting a campaign to neutralise the most potent threat to their dominance of healthcare dollars - natural therapies, including nutritional and traditional therapies by indigenous peoples. They want you all to be like the patient in the photo to the left!
If you let them win, then your harmless herbal remedies, cheap vitamin C and cheap joint food powder may one day only be available through a doctor's prescription. They will cost a bucket load more than they do now.
Annette King is the Minister in charge. She is a former dental nurse. Has she been sniffing the mercury amalgum? This might explain why she is persisting with this scheme that nobody other than big pharaceuticals want. I understand that premises are already in place and the staff have already been recruited despite the fact that the legislation has yet to be passed. This is a pre-emption of the democratic processes of Parliament.
Please write to the Minister, Annette King, New Zealand Government, Parliament Buildings, New Zealand (No stamp required) and express your concerns about the proposed Therapeutic Goods Agency and why not pay your local MP a visit? They will listen to you.
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