On 1st September 2006, new regulations came into force that permit homeopathic products to make medical claims but exempt them from providing any scientific evidence that they are effective. Sense About Science says that ‘this is the first time in its history that the regulation of medicines has moved away from science and from clear, meaningful information for the public. What is more, it happened without parliamentary time or public debate.’

Sense About Science says that the need for evidence-based medicine needs to be restated as fully and publicly as possible.

On 9th October, Sense About Science summarised for parliament hundreds of responses. These were instrumental in pressing for the debate that was held in the House of Lords on 26th October. The serious concerns of the scientific and medical community were raised by Lord Taverne (Chairman of Sense About Science), Lord Rees of Ludlow (President of the Royal Society), Lord Turnberg, Lord Jenkin of Roding, Lord McColl of Dulwich and Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve.

Efforts are being made to continue this debate in the Commons and to bring the objections directly to the attention of the Government and the regulatory authorities.

The regulations:

The mission of the UK's licensing body, the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), is to ensure ‘that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe’. However, with the introduction of the new rules for homeopathy, it now accepts homeopathic provings as evidence of efficacy. A 'proving' is the method homeopaths use to determine the symptoms a substance causes (with a view to treating diseases with similar symptoms). Provings are not carried out on the finished product and are nothing to do with efficacy.

The regulations also mean that, for the first time in more than 30 years, homeopathic products will be able to make medical claims such as ‘For the relief of...’. Such claims, however worded, imply efficacy where none has been proven.

The MHRA did not have to change the regulations in this way. It was not required to do so by EC Directive 2001/83. The MHRA set out four options to government, including doing nothing. It chose to eliminate the old, stricter licences in order to facilitate the ‘expansion of the homeopathic industry’ through new products.

The MHRA has designed the regulations to respond to pressure from the homeopathic industry, which wants to expand.

Medics and scientists have weighed into the homeopathy debate, warning that changes to the regulation of homeopathic medicines could put patients at risk. The BBC reports that hundreds of doctors and scientists have signed a statement opposing rules that allow homeopathic medicines to make medical claims.

It also reports that the Royal Society and Medical Research Council have spoken out against the changes, which are set to be discussed in the House of Lords.

In September, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) introduced rules to allow homeopathic remedy manufacturers to specify the ailments for which they can be used.

Homeopathic remedies are now allowed to indicate what sort of symptoms they can relieve, although this is limited to minor ailments such as colds, coughs and hay fever.

But under the rules, manufacturers don't have to provide evidence of efficacy from clinical trials and need to show only that the product has been used to treat those particular conditions within the homeopathic industry.

However, in a statement to the BBC, the Royal College of Pathologists said it was 'deeply alarmed' that the regulation of medicine had `moved away from science and clear information for the public'.

The Medical Research Council said claims shouldn't be made about efficacy of products without 'rigorous and objective evidence', and the BioSciences Federation claimed that the MHRA's had 'bowed to industry pressure'.

Campaign group Sense about Science has been collating opinion on the issue. Its chair, Lord Dick Taverne, said: 'As many of the medical specialists contacting us have pointed out, evidence-based medicine has been a major public gain of the twentieth century.

'This is the first time, since the thalidomide tragedy and the 1968 Medicines Act that the regulation of medicines has moved away from the science rather than towards it.'

Which? health policy expert Frances Blunden warned: 'This approach gives homeopathic products the veneer of efficacy. Claims for any homeopathic products ought to be based on independently verified and reliable evidence of their efficacy. Without this there's a danger that consumers are being misled and ultimately ripped off. Consumers shouldn't be fooled that despite homeopathic medicines being ‘alternative’, there is still a significant profit-making industry behind them.'

Tactics used by drug companies to boost profits over the needs of NHS patients have been exposed by a Which? publication.

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) - a 'doctors' bible' on drugs and treatments - reveals how the pharmaceutical industry drains NHS money by undermining efforts to control the massive £10 billion annual NHS drugs bill.

One study has estimated that, just for six drugs, the cost of such tactics by drug companies to the NHS had been as much as £369 million in one year. The issue mainly centres on medicines that doctors prescribe to patients.

Generic drugs
Using generic drugs could save a lot of NHS money. These are drugs which are just known by the name of their active ingredient, and are cheaper than brand-name equivalents.

A generic drug can be put on the market only after the patent of the brand-name drug has expired. But a drug company might withdraw the branded drug before the patent expires, and quickly introduce a new but similar brand-name product. Because the old patent is still in force, no company can release a generic equivalent at this point, and doctors are likely to switch patients straight to the new branded version - which has a new patent.

By the time a generic eventually appears, patients may already be unwilling to switch from the new, branded drug they've been taking.

Wasting NHS money
Many of these 'new' drugs offer no convincing advantages over the original products in terms of effectiveness or safety. They may be similar chemically to the original, but marketed as being better, or be the old drug in a different form - a capsule rather than a tablet, for example.

Dr Ike Iheanacho, Editor of DTB, said: 'Strategies designed to obstruct the emergence and use of generic medicines waste NHS money and can be disruptive for patients and doctors alike.

'Drug companies often give the impression that the new drugs are better than the old, and doctors may be unaware that they are being manipulated.'

One infamous example is the antihistamine loratadine (Clarityn) which was taken off the market as a prescription medicine and replaced with the 'new' desloratadine (Neoclarityn), despite the lack of published evidence on how the two drugs compared. In this case, the drug company responsible openly admitted that the move was designed to maintain its market share for antihistamines.

Following calls from doctors to make it easier to report faulty medical devices, a new campaign is being launched to improve reporting rates of adverse safety incidents involving hospital equipment in the UK.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has joined forces with Doctors.net.uk, to raise awareness among doctors about the importance of ‘device reporting’ and make it easier for them to do so.

A pre-campaign poll carried out by Doctors.net.uk found that nearly 20 per cent of doctors did not think it was their responsibility to report problems with devices. Many doctors expressed difficulty finding out how to report incidents.

Device related incidents result in over 1,600 serious injuries or deaths each year in the UK, a figure the new campaign aims to reduce by making it easier for doctors to report problems.

As well as providing a simpler reporting system, the online campaign will also include an education module about device reporting and a podcast interview with Dr Susanne Ludgate, Clinical Director, Medical Devices for MHRA.

Dr Ludgate said: “The importance of this campaign cannot be underestimated, raising reporting rates will help ensure the efficient running of busy medical settings and avoid difficulties in patient management, diagnosis and treatment through faulty equipment and could ultimately save lives. Once we are alerted to a problem, there are systems in place which mean we can quickly and effectively take the necessary action to ensure patient safety is not compromised, but the key to the success of this process is ensuring we are alerted to the problem.'

Dr Tim Ringrose, Director of Professional Relations at Doctors.net.uk, said:

'A large number of doctors either do not know how to report adverse equipment incidents or do not think it is their responsibility. These are serious issues which need to be urgently addressed. Doctors.net.uk is able to quickly reach doctors to highlight the crucial role they play in reporting faulty equipment and provide a very easy online reporting service that is accessible wherever and whenever they encounter problems with devices.
This will be a major support to the existing device adverse incident reporting system run by the MHRA.'

Does Bonfire Night Frighten your Pet and Send him into Hiding?

If so, Bioforce says that its Animal Emergency Essence could be just what he requires.

Here are a few tips from Bioforce on helping your pet through this traumatic time:

Large pets

* Keep cats and dogs indoors and close windows and blinds

* Create a diversion for them e.g. by playing music

*  Prepare a 'den' for your pet so it can feel comfortable, perhaps under a bed with some of your old clothes where it can hide when the fireworks start

*  Try not to leave your pet alone during such potentially upsetting events

* Stay calm and act normally. Praise your pet when it is calm

Small pets

Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets and birds all need to be treated with special care when fireworks are being let off. These animals are easily frightened. Owners of such types of small animal should follow these precautions…

* Hutches/cages and enclosures should, if possible, be brought into a quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed. Alternatively cover the hutch with a thick blanket (but do allow for ventilation)

* Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so it can feel safe

Finally says the company, all pets should be given Bioforce Animal Emergency Essence

'Emergency Essence is designed for use prior to and following acute or critical events, as it can bring balance to the system and initiate a calming process. It really is invaluable to have around the house for whenever your pet may need it e.g. vet visits, when travelling, when moving house, during thunderstorms etc.

'It is also great for use during the firework season and should be used for approximately a week prior to bonfire night to relax the animal before the event. It can then be given throughout the night as often as every 10 minutes in order to keep the animal settled. Finally, it can be given for the week after the event in order to get the animal over any lasting effects it may be suffering.'

Web: http://www.avogel.co.uk

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver upheld the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) final rule declaring all dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated, and therefore illegal for marketing in the United States, reversing a decision by the District Court of Utah.

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling demonstrates the soundness of FDA's decision to ban dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, consistent with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals also found that Congress clearly required FDA to conduct a risk-benefit analysis under DSHEA.

FDA conducted an exhaustive and highly resource-intensive evaluation of the relevant scientific data evidence on ephedrine alkaloids before issuing its final rule, which became effective in 2004. The court found that the 133,000-page administrative record compiled by FDA supports the agency's findings that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids pose an unreasonable risk of illness or injury to users, especially those suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure.

No dosage of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids is safe and the sale of these products in the United States is illegal and subject to FDA enforcement action.

According to researchers, only a hundred years ago there were eight different kinds of tigers, with over 100,000 wild tigers in the world. Today, there are only five tiger subspecies left and there are fewer than 5,000 wild tigers in the world.

On October 18th, 2006 the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine was host to a groundbreaking discussion on species conservation. Leaders from the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) met Claudia McMurray, the Assistant Secretary of the State for Oceans, Environment and Science, and actress Bo Derek, the Special Envoy of the Secretary of State on Wildlife Trafficking Issues, to hear about U.S. foreign policy initiatives to address the illegal trade in wildlife and to discuss the TCM community's views on the use of endangered species, particularly tigers. Ms. McMurray started the U.S.-led Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), a unique voluntary public-private coalition of like-minded governments and international organisations that are committed to help address the growing threats to wild animals from poaching and illegal trade.

From 9:30am to 12:00pm McMurray and Derek toured the College's campus and clinic, spoke with TCM leaders and doctors, and discussed species conservation in Chinese medicine. From 12pm to 12:30pm there was a press conference and photo opportunity for invited members of the Chinese-speaking media based in San Francisco.

Topics for the day's discussion included: The role of tiger bone in Chinese medicine; the difference between medicinal use of tiger bone and the 'tonic' use of products such as tiger bone wine; the San Francisco TCM community's involvement in tiger conservation; TCM practitioners' support of the ban on the use of tiger bone; substitutes for tiger bone used by TCM practitioners; the trade in tiger bone by TCM practitioners in China; how to encourage practitioners to practice TCM without the use of tiger bone and other highly endangered species; ACTCM;s role in species conservation, including the tiger.

ACTCM began its efforts to raise public awareness about endangered species in 1998 when it partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to build public support for tiger, rhino, and endangered species conservation. By combining the expertise of both institutions, the message of supporting healthy people and a healthy planet has reached thousands of people, bridging the communication gap between the conservation and TCM communities.

ACTCM's partnership with WWF has developed a public outreach initiative on endangered species use in traditional medicine, and represents an important conservation milestone. The College and WWF have achieved great success in reaching key communities in a way that is culturally credible and scientifically sound. This is the first systematic effort to educate conservationists about traditional Chinese medicine in health care and to educate TCM users in North America about endangered species.

ACTCM and WWF organised the 'Saving the Tiger' symposium held in San Francisco in 1998 and the 'Healthy People, Healthy Planet Conference on TCM and Wildlife Conservation' in Beijing, People's Republic of China in 1999. The latter conference was supported by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the 'Save the Tiger Fund' from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Johnson and Johnson, and other foundations. These events brought together TCM specialists, conservationists, law enforcement officials and CITES experts, and TCM retailers to address wildlife conservation.

On December 5th, 2005, Save the Tiger Fund (STF), a programme of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, entered into a three-year agreement with the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) in Beijing, and the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco, to conduct a global campaign against the use of tiger bones as a medicine and tonic. WFCMS is a quasi-governmental NGO attached to the State Administration for Traditional Chinese Medicine and has 147 member associations in China and around the world, giving it the power to bring together the entire industry that has for centuries posed a threat to wild tigers.

ACTCM, a non-profit institution, has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture and Chinese medicine since 1980. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted 'Best of the Bay' by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

A leading London gentleman's barber was fined £10,000 after 24 grooming accessories made from ivory were found on its premises during a raid by police.

Officers from the Metropolitan's Wildlife Crime Unit seized 24 items including shaving brushes - stamped with 'real ivory' - on sale for up to £1,100 each, as well as ivory hairbrushes, glove stretchers and an elephant's tusk when they raided the company's shops in Mayfair and Piccadilly (© Images Copyright Traffic).

Three other premises in Gloucestershire and Somerset were also searched. The Police were acting on information provided by the wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC, which showed that a number of retail premises in London’s central shopping district were openly offering for sale items that claimed to be made of genuine elephant ivory.The firm, George F Trumper Ltd, pleaded guilty to two charges of keeping items from an endangered species for sale contrary to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 during a hearing at City of Westminster Magistrate's Court. George F Trumper did not have the certificates allowing the items to be displayed for sale or evidence that the ivory was pre-1947, which would have made it legal. Peter Binning, mitigating, told the court that the company had relied on its suppliers and had not employed any system to check on the source of the merchandise. The company was fined £5,000 for each count – the maximum fine available, and all the items were forfeited.

The company was founded in 1875 and describes itself as 'the finest traditional gentlemen's barber in London, known throughout the world for its matchless range of gentlemen's fragrances and grooming products'.

Andy Fisher, head of Scotland Yard's Wildlife Crime Unit, said: 'The illegal trade in endangered species is one of the major threats faced by wildlife in the world today. It also damages local communities in other countries and helps to fund criminal networks.

'It is disappointing that this trade continues in the UK because as long as it does, more endangered wildlife will be killed and the criminals will continue to prosper. The Metropolitan Police, working closely with our partners in the UK and abroad, is committed to stopping this trade in London.

'The courts have given the maximum penalty, which is unusual, and shows that both the courts and the police take this kind of offence very seriously.'

Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC International said 'The illegal trade in ivory is a continuing problem world-wide. If an elephant is poached for its ivory, chances are great that the ivory will end up in a market in Africa or Asia. From there, trade can spill over into other end use markets in North America and Europe, including the UK. While the scale of the domestic ivory market in the UK can be considered small, when compared with countries in Asia and Africa, this operation clearly indicates the commitment of the authorities in dealing with the serious threat of wildlife crime in the UK.'

A 2005 report published for Care for the Wild International and Save the Elephants by Martin and Stiles, 'Ivory Markets of Europe', reviewed the ivory markets of Europe, with investigations carried out between April and November 2004 in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy. Martin and Stiles found over 27 000 ivory items on offer for sale in 1143 shops in 14 cities and towns. Germany and the UK had the largest number of ivory items, with 16444 and 8325 respectively.

The trade in endangered species is controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which has been signed by 169 countries. Trade is controlled by a system of government licences or, in the case of the most endangered species, commercial trade is banned. Commercial trade in elephant ivory and tortoiseshell, which is made from the shells of sea turtles, is banned in the UK unless an exemption certificate has been issued by the UK CITES licensing authority (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Defra has issued the following advice: Antique items, which have recently been re-carved into other items no longer qualify under the antiques derogation and would need an exemption certificate for sale to be legal.

Since 20th March 2006 all trade in un-worked ivory specimens within the UK is now banned.

The continuing existence of ivory markets, particularly in Africa and Asia, remains one of the greatest threats to elephants today. Poaching for ivory is seriously threatening elephant populations in many African countries. Fifty years ago there were up to 3 million elephants roaming the continent, today environmentalists believe that there may be less than half a million. The plight of Asian elephants is even more precarious. Poaching for ivory, combined with massive habitat loss, may have left as few as 35,000 in the wild. The most recent Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) analysis of over 9,400 elephant product seizure records statistically demonstrates that illicit trade in ivory is most directly correlated to the presence of large-scale, poorly regulated domestic ivory markets around the world. These domestic markets are today the principal drivers of illegal killing of thousands of elephants annually.

TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN - The World Conservation Union.
TRAFFIC International, 219a Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 277427 Fax: +44 (0) 1223 277237 UK

Email: traffic@trafficint.org

Recently the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) carried out a nationwide operation against a number of premises believed to be connected with internet sites illegally selling and supplying unlicensed or prescription-only medicines. This has resulted in some websites being closed down.

MHRA enforcement and intelligence officers began their investigations earlier in May this year, looking at 51 internet sites thought to be offering illegal medicines. This led to recent visits where investigators went to a number of residential and commercial addresses in the UK. These related to five internet sites supplying unlicensed medicines or prescription-only medicines claiming to treat insomnia, impotency, smoking addiction and other ailments. The visits were conducted in Colchester (Essex); Harrow and Hayes (Middlesex); Canterbury (Kent) and Preston (Lancashire). The police accompanied the MHRA officers on some of the visits.

MHRA officers seized Kamagra (an unlicensed medicine to treat male impotence) and 12 tubs of 100 capsules of Ephedrine (a prescription – only medicine and an ingredient found in some over-the-counter medicines to treat, for example colds.) Computer equipment was also seized at some of the addresses.

Mick Deats, Head of Enforcement and Intelligence at the MHRA said, 'People can be at considerable risk if they buy medicines from illegal and unregulated websites. A medicine bought in this way has no guarantee of safety, quality or effectiveness. Today’s visits demonstrate our commitment to safeguard public health and act as a stark warning to those in the UK who are engaged in any way with supplying medicines illegally. Our message is simple – if you sell or supply medicines illegally, we will use all appropriate measures available to stop you, including prosecution and confiscation.'

'Their overwhelming health and vitality benefits can no longer be ignored, due to peer reviewed articles published in every respected scientific journal in the world,' says Natren. 'Health retailers are seeing a resurgence of probiotics gaining acceptance as mainstream health products.'

'Alternative therapy practitioners became aware of the health advantages of 'good' bacteria nearly a hundred years ago. But the news was overshadowed by the dramatic age of antibiotics and 'miracle cures.' Many were not ready to hear that bacteria could be beneficial.

'What goes around comes around. This time the revival of probiotics is commanding notice by medical and public health professionals, for two key reasons.

'First, the bright light of antibiotics is dimming as so-called miracle drugs increasingly meet their match with 'superbugs' that exhibit power and ingenuity worthy of sci-fi thrillers. Conventional professions are finally admitting that the application of prescription drugs has its limits and the benefits of drugs come at a price.

'Pathogenic microbes can outwit the drugs, change form to conceal themselves from the immune system, evolve with increasing strength, mimic human tissues and even hide out until prescription therapies are finished.
Germs are able to multiply rapidly, increasing in strength every time they evolve to score a victory over their antibiotic competitor and gain advantage over the host environment – you, the human being.

'The second factor is an equal driving force. Intense scientific research is documenting the value of probiotics for gut problems and the exciting potential for far-reaching, multiple health applications.

'Children exposed to probiotics around the time of birth have been found to be 40 percent less prone to develop atopic eczema at their fourth birthday than children who miss out on the probiotics http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atopic.

'New studies are investigating the use of probiotics to stop babies from developing hay fever or asthma.

'In a six-week study of ulcerative colitis patients, probiotics therapy transformed their inflamed and bleeding colons into nearly normal tissue.

'By their acknowledged influence on bacterial flora, probiotics may function as anti-inflammatory agents. This has implication for a wide range of ailments that have been linked to inflammation. There is even greater hope with the breakthrough in using probiotics for gut inflammation, as its origins may be related to the development of certain cancers.'

Web: http://www.natren.co.uk

Some over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can cause chemical burns and painful mouth ulcers, dentists have warned.

Increasing numbers of consumers are turning to cosmetic dental treatments to give their teeth a new lease of life.

But the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) has warned that DIY kits can cause permanent damage.

It says that some kits bought abroad or online are particularly strong and contain acids and abrasives that can harm your teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide
BACD board member and dentist James Goolnik said: 'All whitening is based on a hydrogen peroxide solution; the only difference in the hundreds of systems out there is the concentration and the way the solution is applied to your teeth.

'Not all of them are safe and it is essential people consult their dentist, as some whitening kits bought over the counter or abroad can cause permanent damage.'

Dr Goolnik recently saw a patient, Tamara Morris, who had suffered painful mouth ulcers after using a whitening kit bought at a high-street pharmacy.

Ms Morris, 27, said: 'Although it burned my mouth slightly when first I used the gel, I thought this was normal. Afterwards, it hurt when I brushed my teeth, or when I drank anything hot. When I went to the dentist he discovered I had sores on my gums resulting from the treatment.'

Consult a dentist
The BACD says there are two main ways of properly carrying out tooth whitening. The first involves putting gel in a custom made night-guard provided by a dentist. The guard is then worn for seven to ten nights.

Patients can also choose laser or power bleaching where more concentrated gels are applied directly to the teeth and accelerated with heat or light.

However, the BACD says that before anyone uses a teeth whitening treatment they should ask their dentist to check their teeth are healthy.

Based on ConsumerLab.com's tests of sixty-six products with ingredients that may help prevent or treat a cold, people reaching for a natural remedy have a good chance of picking a product with no proven value or unsafe ingredients. ConsumerLab.com is providing a useful chart of its results and advice to help consumers choose properly and avoid being misled.

ConsumerLab.com has found that only 42% of herbal supplements made with echinacea, ginseng, or garlic have the right ingredients, in the right dose, and without lead contamination. Just-released test results for zinc lozenges show that only one of four products provided the dosage known to be effective in reducing the symptoms and duration of a cold. Vitamin C products have fared better in testing, but their effectiveness appears more limited.

‘Some natural remedies may help people avoid or get over a cold - shortening it by two or three days and reducing symptoms - but many products don't provide the ingredients known to work,’ said Tod Cooperman, MD, President of ConsumerLab.com. ConsumerLab.com released the following chart with information and advice on popular natural remedies.

Web: https://www.consumerlab.com/news/news_101006_cold_remedies.asp

No government agency is responsible for routinely testing CoQ10 supplements or other dietary supplements for their contents or quality. Research by ConsumerLab.com in 2000 and 2004 found that not all CoQ10 supplements contained their claimed amounts.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant compound and is used for energy production within cells. It's manufactured in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas. The body normally produces sufficient CoQ10, although some medications such as statins may interfere with this process and CoQ10 levels in the body may decline with age and heart disease. Only small amounts of CoQ10 are available from food, mainly beef and chicken. Consequently, dietary supplements are the most common way to increase the body's CoQ10 levels.

What It Does:
Taken orally, coenzyme Q10 may help treat congestive heart failure, a disease in which the heart doesn't adequately maintain circulation. CoQ10's role in cell energy production may be the mechanism by which it assists the heart. CoQ10 may help prevent migraine headaches, reduce the likelihood of more heart problems in some people who've had a first heart attack, and delay the progression of Parkinson's disease. CoQ10 may also be useful in treating diseases including muscular dystrophy, AIDS, hypertension, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. There is recent evidence that it may increase sperm motility. CoQ10 might help reverse side effects experienced by people who have taken ‘statin’ drugs to lower high cholesterol. Although sometimes touted for enhancing athletic performance and treating gum disease, these uses haven't been well demonstrated.

More information about the CoQ10's uses and clinical studies is found in the review article in the Encylopedia on the ConsumerLab.com website.

Quality Concerns and What CL Tested for:
No government agency is responsible for routinely testing CoQ10 supplements or other dietary supplements for their contents or quality. Research by ConsumerLab.com in 2000 and 2004 found that not all CoQ10 supplements contained their claimed amounts. Because products on the market are constantly changing, ConsumerLab.com recently evaluated more CoQ10 products to determine whether they contained the amounts of CoQ10 stated on their labels. All non-chewable tablets were also tested to be sure that they would properly disintegrate. (See How Products Were Evaluated for information on testing methods and passing score.)

What CL Found:
All of the products tested were found to contain their labelled amounts of CoQ10. Any product in tablet form (excluding chewables) was also tested to be sure it would break apart properly - the one applicable product passed this testing.
Although all products passed testing, it is important to note that the amount of CoQ10 across products ranged from 15 mg to as much as 400 mg. It is important, therefore, that you determine the proper dose for your intended use rather than rely on a product's suggested serving. (See the ConsumerTips section for dosage information and consult your doctor.) Switching from a low dose to high dose product, or vice versa, may affect the efficacy and side-effects associated use of CoQ10.

Test Results by Product:
Listed alphabetically below are the test results for thirty-six CoQ10 supplements. ConsumerLab.com selected sixteen. Twenty others (each indicated with an asterisk) were tested at the request of their manufacturers/distributors through CL's Voluntary Certification Program and are included for having passed testing. Also listed are eight products similar to ones that passed but sold under different brand names.

Shown for each product is the labelled amount of CoQ10 per unit, the daily serving size, and the expected CoQ10 per day. The full list of ingredients is available for each product by clicking on the word ‘Ingredients’ in the first column. In addition to the list below, a raw material that passed testing is listed in the Raw Material/Private Label Certification Program area).

New Product Review: CoQ10
CoQ10 may help treat congestive heart failure, prevent migraine headaches, and delay the progression of Parkinson's disease. It might help reverse side effects associated with ‘statin’ drugs to lower high cholesterol. And it may be useful in muscular dystrophy, AIDS, hypertension, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, and other conditions.

ConsumerLab.com tested 36 CoQ10 products. All had the claimed ingredients. But the doses varied from 15 mg to 400 mg! Which, if any, is right for you?

In this Review, you'll get ConsumerLab's test results for thirty-six products and information about eight others similar to those tested.

Brands in Report
Allergy Research Pro Health
Berkley & Jensen Puritan's Pride Q-Sorb
LiQ-10 (Tischcon) Q-Gel (Gel-Tec/Tischcon)
Bluebonnet Rite Aid
Carlson Shaklee
Doctor's BEST Spring Valley
Gary Null's Chew Q (Tishcon)
GNC Sundown
Healthy Origins Trace Minerals Research
Inno Vite USANA
Longs Vitamin World
Nature's Bounty Vitanica
PhytoPharmica Vitasmart

‘Find out how these brands fared in our tests.
Subscribe to http://www.consumerlab.com now.’

A complaint objecting to a magazine ad for a cosmetic cream by Clinique Laboratories Ltd, London was upheld according to information published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Complaint:
A magazine ad was headlined ‘New Repairwear for deep wrinkles.’ The ad stated ‘A peptide complex enables skin to steer hearty cells to the base of a wrinkle and triggers skin's own natural collagen production. Creates a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.’ The Harley Medical Group, who believed the ad implied a physiological effect, challenged whether Clinique could substantiate the claims.

Adjudication: Complaint upheld

Clinique Laboratories Ltd (Clinique) provided several scientific studies in support of the claims. Clinique said deep wrinkles were formed by the repeated compression of the skin around the eyes and mouth, which resulted in the break down of collagen in the skin and irritation. They argued that this process precipitated the skin's loss of elasticity and that the irritation hindered the natural process of new collagen production, which would normally be initiated when existing collagen was damaged. They said Repairwear worked by enhancing the environment for natural collagen production at the base of deep wrinkles in order to create a visible reduction in their appearance.

Clinique said the action of Repairwear was to encourage skin to produce new collagen by calming the irritation in the skin with caffeine. They sent a summary of a study into the calming effect of caffeine, which was based on an analysis of the redness of skin that had been treated with caffeine and then stimulated with an irritant. Clinique maintained that once the caffeine had soothed skin irritation at the base of the wrinkle, the peptide complex in Repairwear, which contained collagen fragments that were perceived by the skin as damaged collagen, acted to stimulate the production of new collagen.

Clinique pointed to in vitro studies into the effectiveness of Amino C and Atelo Collagen, two of the peptides in Repairwear, which compared the increase in collagen provided by those peptides with the increase in collagen provided by known collagen enhancers.

Clinique also submitted a study entitled 'Clinique Super Duper Catalyst', which they said was a study of the visible benefit of Repairwear in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The study involved 21 women with moderate to heavy lines and wrinkles in the eye area who applied the product twice a day over eight weeks. The data was based on the comparison of a baseline test, taken before the treatment, with evaluations carried out during the eight weeks of the study. Clinique maintained that the study demonstrated that Repairwear reduced the appearance of lines and wrinkles by an average of 50% after eight weeks of product use.

The ASA accepted that the claim ‘Creates a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles’ represented an established claim for a standard moisturiser. We noted the product had a moisturising effect and did not object to the claim. We considered, however, that the claims ‘A peptide complex enables skin to steer hearty cells to the base of a wrinkle and triggers skin's own natural collagen production’ was likely to be seen to indicate a physiological effect.

We obtained independent expert advice to evaluate the evidence sent by Clinique. The expert questioned the implication that a topical product could suppress the local immune cells and either turn on collagen production, or increase it, in cells that were either quiescent or producing low levels of collagen. Furthermore, he pointed out that he had not seen evidence to support the basis of Clinique's rationale for Repairwear and, specifically, their assertion that the skin at the base of deep wrinkles was in some way irritated and in need of soothing.

The expert said the study into the effects of caffeine was of limited relevance because of a lack of data on the connection between deep wrinkles and irritation and because the test was carried out on the forearm of the subjects, an area which did not usually exhibit such wrinkles. He also considered that the in vitro studies did not show that effects in a laboratory could be applicable to a consumer's skin, in vivo. The expert said that the 'Super Duper Catalyst' trial, although an in vivo study, could not be considered to be sufficiently rigorous to support the claim. Because it was open and uncontrolled, the expert said the study did not present evidence to support Clinique's assertion that the product could deliver the peptides into the skin in vivo or that changes similar to those observed in vitro would result.

Although the claim ‘Creates a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles’ was acceptable, we noted the expert's view that the evidence submitted by Clinique did not support the claim ‘A peptide complex enables skin to steer hearty cells to the base of a wrinkle and triggers skin's own natural collagen production’ and concluded that it was misleading. We told Clinique not to repeat that claim and to consult the CAP Copy Advice team for guidance on future ads.

The ad breached CAP Code Clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 7.1 (Truthfulness), 50.1 (Health & Beauty Products and Therapies) and 50.24 (Cosmetics)

A complaint objecting to a magazine ad and a TV ad for ‘Fruit2day’ drink by Hero UK LLP, Leeds, was upheld according to information published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Advert

a. A magazine ad, for ‘Fruit2day’ drink, showed a pineapple, a Swiss army knife, and a bottle of the drink. Text stated ‘now there's an easier way to eat your daily fruit. We all know how important it is to get your 5 a day. But it's just so inconvenient ... Thankfully new Fruit2day's real fruit pieces make it easy and convenient to get 2 of your 5 a day in a bottle, wherever you are.’

b. A TV ad, for ‘Fruit2day’ drink, showed a woman sitting at her desk drinking a bottle of ‘Fruit2day’. The voiceover stated ‘Because Fruit2day contains real fruit pieces, it counts as 2 of your 5 a day’.

Issue

The complainants, who believed that the Department of Health (DH) guidelines stated that fruit juice could count only as a single portion of fruit regardless of the quantity drunk, challenged whether Hero UK LLP (Hero) could substantiate the claim that the product comprised two portions of fruit.

Assessment: Upheld

Hero said they agreed with the DH position that people should consume more fruit and vegetables and said they had developed a convenient way to help consumers reach the five a day target. They said Fruit2day was an innovative and unique fruit snack that should not be classified as a fruit juice or smoothie; although all three varieties contained juice, the product was characterised by the combination of fruit pieces, crushed fruit, purees and juice. They asserted that the DH's recommendations that fruit juice or a smoothie counted only as one portion, which they believed would not have taken their product into account, should not apply to their product as it could not be classed as either a juice or a smoothie.

Hero said one reason the DH stated that fruit juice could count only as one portion of the five a day recommended intake was the reduction in fibre levels that resulted from the juicing process; they said, because Fruit2day contained real fruit pieces, that did not apply. They said they had contacted the DH before they launched the product; they asserted that the DH told them the product did not fit into their juice category or their smoothie category and they were not willing to change their guidelines to accommodate Hero's new product; the DH could not therefore support Hero by allowing them to use their five a day logo.

Hero sent reports from two independent UK nutritional experts with whom they worked when developing Fruit2day. One of the reports stated that the ‘fruit’ in Fruit2day consisted of 49% chopped solid fruit pieces, crushed fruits and fruit purees together with 51% juice, which distinguished it from other juices or smoothies on the market. It stated that the 48% ‘fruit’ was equivalent to 1.3 portions of fruit and the 51% juice content equalled 0.7 of a portion which made a total of two portions. Both reports stated that Fruit2day consisted of two portions of fruit towards the five portions of fruit and vegetables a day recommendation.

Hero said they worked closely with their local Trading Standards Officer (TSO) who approved all their packaging before launch and advised them not to refer to the product as a fruit juice or smoothie because it was a unique snack made from a combination of fruit pieces, crushed fruit, purees and juice.

The Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC) said they had sent Hero's evidence to their own consultant who had approved the claims. They said they were confident the claim ‘2 of your 5 a day’ was robust enough to be aired based on their consultant's approval.

The ASA took expert advice. The expert produced a report after assessing the content of the product and the two reports by Hero's nutritional experts; our expert's report concluded that, under the DH guidelines, the product did not provide two portions of fruit towards the five a day recommended portions of fruit and vegetables. The expert said the crushed fruit and purees in the product could not be counted as intact fruit but should be categorised as juice, which could count only as one portion of the recommended daily five portions of fruit and vegetables no matter how much was consumed.

The expert stated that DH guidance did not allow part portions to be added together and therefore, even if the purees and crushed fruit could count as fruit, Hero should not have added 1.3 portions of fruit to a 0.7 portion of juice to obtain a total of two portions. The expert said the product would need to provide 80g of chopped fruit and 150ml of juice and or puree and or crushed fruit for Hero to be able to claim two portions. The expert pointed out that that was not possible with a product of 205ml and believed the product supplied around only 30g of intact fruit. The expert concluded therefore that, under the DH guidelines, the product did not provide two portions of the recommended daily five portions of fruit and vegetables.

We sent the expert report to Hero. Hero believed the guidelines were not clear on the issue of purees and only mentioned that 100% concentrated purees, such as tomato puree, could count only as one portion a day no matter how much was consumed; they said they could find no mention of the issue of crushed fruit. They pointed out that their purees were not concentrated and argued therefore that their purees and crushed fruit should be classified as fruit.

Hero said they did not agree with the ASA expert's interpretation of the guidance on the adding of portions and believed the guideline was intended to stop products making claims that they supplied part portions, e.g. ‘one and a half of your five a day’, not to stop the adding of portions. They said the DH encouraged consumers to increase vegetable intake by adding a mixture of vegetables to products such as prepared cooking sauces. They pointed out that if the ASA expert's assessment of part portions was applied such vegetable content would not count towards the five a day target unless an entire portion of at least one type of vegetable was added, e.g. 0.7 of a portion of peppers and 0.6 of a portion of courgettes would not count, despite adding up to 1.3 portions in total, since both were ‘part portions’.

They did not believe that was what the DH intended or expected. They also sent a leaflet, for a supermarket, which contained the DH five a day logo on a recipe for a stir fry which was made up of ‘part portions’ of different vegetables. They pointed out that they were making a whole portion claim and argued that the guidelines on this point did therefore not apply to them. They believed it was common sense and in line with the spirit of the five a day campaign, which was to encourage people to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, for them to add part portions together.

We sent our expert's report to the BACC. The BACC's expert believed the definitions of purees and crushed fruit were not clear from the DH guidelines. She said it was also not clear from the guidelines that part portions could not be added together. She believed the DH guidelines on part portions were put in place to stop claims that a product could provide part portions, not to stop the adding of portions.

Hero pointed out that their two experts, the BACC and their TSO had thought the claim acceptable. They believed the claim should be viewed not just on the DH guidelines but in the wider context of whether it was misleading; they maintained that the product did provide two portions of fruit.

We contacted the DH who told us they had informed Hero before the product was launched that, in their view, the product could not claim to provide two portions of fruit a day. We also sent the DH our expert's report and they said they agreed with the report and that the findings were in line with the five a day message.

We also contacted the TSO who told us he had looked at Hero's two expert reports and had thought that they justified Hero's claim.

We noted the DH guidelines could be open to interpretation on the exact definitions of what counted as intact fruit and what forms of fruit could count only once a day no matter how much was consumed. We also noted, however, Hero had been told by the DH, before they launched the product that, under their guidelines, they could not claim it could provide two portions of fruit a day. We noted the DH supported our expert's report that under the DH guidelines the crushed fruit and purees in the product should be classed as juice and not fruit and that as a result the product could claim only one portion of fruit towards the daily five recommended portions of fruit and vegetables.

We noted Hero believed the claim should not be viewed solely under the DH guidelines but we considered that the claim would be seen to be based on the five a day campaign introduced and promoted by the DH. We considered that the product should therefore conform with the DH guidelines. We concluded that, because the product did not provide two portions of fruit under the DH guidelines the ads were misleading.

The ads breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation) and 7.1 (Truthfulness) and CAP (Broadcast) TV Advertising Standards Code rules 5.1 (Misleading advertising) and 5.2.1 (Evidence).

Action
The TV ad should not be broadcast again in its current form.

We told Hero to amend their non-broadcast ads to avoid the impression that their product could supply two portions of fruit towards the five a day recommended portions of fruit and vegetables.

Two complaints objecting to a direct mailing for Subsidad capsules by Phyto Nature Source, Willesden, London were upheld according to information published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Advert:

A direct mailing for Subsidad capsules was headed ‘URGENT REPLY Have you heard of the 7 SUBSIDAD capsules?’ and claimed ‘One capsule per day for 7 days equals 15 pounds less on the scales! SUBSIDAD is the 1st capsule scientifically recognised for activating weight loss WITHOUT A THING TO DO!!!’. It went on to claim ‘If you only have 15 pounds to lose, you will lose them in 7 days, but be careful: seven days of treatment is not enough to avoid the risk of piling those pounds back on again extremely fast. So, for safetys sake, order the 14-day Treatment and as soon as your scales show the slightest weight gain, take one capsule of SUBSIDAD before breakfast for 2 or 3 mornings in succession.

'If you have 30 pounds to lose, you will be able to lose them in 14 days, but for safetys sake order the 21-day Treatment in order to be able to act swiftly in the event of any weight gain (as explained above) ... Up to 35 pounds, order the TOTAL TREATMENT (Total excess weight loss and quasi-permanent Stabilisation) if you want to keep your new figure. If you need to lose more than 45 pounds, we recommend that you seek the advice of your doctor in order to space out your doses of SUBSIDAD. That is, instead of taking one capsule every morning, he will undoubtedly advise you to wait a bit before continuing your Treatment every second and third day. This precaution is essential to avoid fatigue due to excessive or too rapid weight loss. IMPORTANT Above all, change none of your dietary habits during the course of your SUBSIDAD Treatment. You must eat normally throughout the treatment in order for the product to act effectively, in accordance with your individual metabolism and needs’.

A leaflet in the mailing showed a before and after picture of a woman and claimed ‘This lady lost 45 pounds with 7 capsules per week IN 3 WEEKS! Without doing anything else’.

It went on to claim ‘The 7 reasons why the 7 SUBSIDAD capsules will make you lose 15 pounds in 7 days
1. SUBSIDAD is a combination of 2 rare and active molecules, which between them potentialize to EMPTY your engorged adipose cells of all harmful fats and expel them from your body, without anything able to stand in their way.
2. These 2 molecules, extracted from the Koemis and Red Cameli, will not only empty your fatty cells, but will also stop them refilling with new fats.
3. This action operates for 24 HOURS, night and day without a single minute's respite, with just 1 capsule taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
4. Each 24 hours you will lose an average of between 2 and 2.5 pounds. In 7 days: 15 pounds.
5. You won't be following any diet, so no problems, no possible relapses.
6. There are no medicines to take
7. No side effects to worry about (You should nevertheless consult your doctor if you wish to lose more than 46 lbs)’. A before and after photo of a man in the leaflet was captioned ‘This man has lost 112 pounds with 1 capsule per day of SUBSIDAD’; another of a woman was captioned ‘This lady has lost 74 pounds in barely 5 weeks’. The leaflet also claimed ‘In America, Belgium and Spain, the press has extensively covered the event ... With SUBSIDAD, say goodbye to obesity’.

Issues

1. One complainant, who said her photograph had been used without permission in the mailing, challenged whether the photograph and testimonial on page five of the mailing were genuine and
2. two complainants challenged the claims made in the leaflet and the efficacy of the product.
The ASA challenged whether:
3. the ad offered a treatment for obesity, a serious medical condition that required medical supervision, and
4. the weight loss claims in the ad were compatible with good medical and nutritional practice.

Response

1. Phyto Nature Source (PNS) said the pictured woman was called Mrs Israelin van Vaerenbergh and was from Belgium. They provided a signed statement from Mrs van Vaerenbergh which stated that she was the woman shown on page five of the mailing. They said the photograph had been provided by their marketing agency.

2., 3. & 4.
PNS said the active ingredient in Subsidad was orthosiphon. They sent eight summaries, in French, of the effects of orthosiphon.

PNS said the mailing had not been sent to recipients in the UK since August. They said a Subsidad mailing had been sent to English speakers living in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France and Holland and some of those recipients could have moved back to the UK. They said they would ensure that no further mailings would be sent to UK residents.

Assessments:

1. Upheld

The ASA noted PNS had sent a written statement from Mrs Israelin van Vaerenbergh that she was the person shown on page five of the mailing. We also noted, however, the complainant said she was the person in the before photograph but the after photograph was not of her and she had not used Subsidad. The complainant sent us a photograph of herself but the letter from Mrs van Vaerenbergh did not contain a photograph.

We studied the photograph provided by the complainant and the before photograph on page five of the mailing and were satisfied that they both were of the same person. We were concerned that PNS had used the complainants image without permission and that the mailing implied the complainants personal approval of the product.

We noted the photograph on page five of the mailing accompanied a testimonial that began Carmen is a 34-year-old lady who lives in Barcelona? and were concerned that this testimonial was fictitious and had been illustrated with photographs that were not genuine.

On this point the mailing breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 6.1 (Honesty), 7.1 (Truthfulness) 13.1 (Protection of Privacy) 14.1 and 14.4 (Testimonials and endorsements).

2, 3 & 4. Upheld

We considered that claims made for the efficacy or action of a weight reduction product should be backed by rigorous trials on people. We considered that, because PNS had not provided evidence from trials of that sort, they had not substantiated the claims in the mailing.

We noted the ad claimed ‘With SUBSIDAD, say goodbye to obesity’ and considered that it claimed to treat obesity, a serious medical condition that required medical supervision; we noted PNS had not sent evidence to show that their treatments for obesity were carried out under suitably qualified medical supervision.

We noted the mailing claimed that using Subsidad would lead to weight losses in excess of 15 lbs a week. We understood that weight loss of greater than 2 lbs per week might be compatible with good medical and nutritional practise for the obese in the early stages of dieting, but considered that was so only if it was conducted under proper supervision. Because the claimed rate of weight loss was significantly more than 2 lbs per week and we had not seen evidence to show that PNS were suitably qualified to treat obesity, we considered the rate of weight loss excessive and in breach of the Code.

We noted PNS would not send the mailing in the UK again.

On this point the mailing breached CAP Code clauses 2.2 (Responsible advertising), 3.1 (Substantiation), 7.1 (Truthfulness), 50.1 (Health & beauty product and therapies), 51.1, 51.2, 51.4, 51.8, 51.9 and 51.10 (Weight control).

Action

We told PNS to remove all testimonials for which they did not have signed and dated proof from their mailings and to ensure that they used only genuine photographs in future. We told PNS to remove any weight loss figures which were not compatible with good medical and nutritional practice, any claims to treat obesity or any efficacy claims about Subsidad from future marketing communications.

National Commute Smart Day which takes place on Wednesday November 1st 2006 has received the support of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). With the clocks having gone back the previous Sunday, signalling the impending arrival of winter, many commuters will be faced with going home in the dark and the greatly increased risk of death or injury on the roads.

Commute Smart Day is planned by Work Wise UK, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the benefits of smarter working practices. It is also backed, among many organisations, by the TUC, CBI and Transport for London. The day will highlight the possibilities of avoiding this risk during the winter months by encouraging employers to adopt smarter working practices such as home working or flexible hours, reducing the number of commuter journeys.

Phil Flaxton, Chief Executive of Work Wise UK, National Commute Smart Day said: 'Among the many benefits of smart working is its effect on transport, particularly in avoiding commuter journeys, contributing to safety by reducing a major element of risk in many people’s everyday lives.'

According to latest Government statistics - ‘Road Casualties Great Britain 2005’ - there was an increase in the number of road users killed in November from 287 in October to 319 - or an increase of 11%. This surge in casualty rates between October and November, which occurs every year, can be attributed to road users and pedestrians struggling to adapt to the darker evenings.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: 'The clocks going back signal an increase in road accidents. Deteriorating weather conditions combined with dark evenings mean bad news for road users and pedestrians. We support National Commute Smart Day as it aims to reduce the need to travel, ultimately cutting down on death and injury on our roads at this particularly dangerous time of the year.'

Most road accidents happen in the evening peak. The RAC Foundation has also analysed these statistics and found that car users are at most risk of being killed and injured between 4 and 6 pm than at any other time during the week; and that more are killed or injured in the early evening on Fridays than at any other time of the week.

Not only will smarter working and smarter commuting help reduce accidents on the road, it will have a knock-on effect of decreasing traffic congestion and public transport overcrowding by stopping the rush hour, reducing peak demand.

Web: http://www.workwiseuk.org

Sunday 1st October 2006 marked the 26th anniversary of the BUPA Great North Run with around 50,000 runners lined up at the start, confirming the race as the world's biggest half-marathon with millions of pounds expected to have been raised for charity by the runners.

Students from the new University of Bedfordshire teamed up with Sports Therapy UK and travelled north to support runners for Muscular Dystrophy Group. After a long journey to Newcastle in a minibus on Saturday, the team enjoyed a meal out in a Thai restaurant before preparing for some hard work on the Sunday.

To read more and see over 50 photos of the event, go to News and Sporting Events on the website at http://www.sportstherapyuk.com.

A Lancashire dairy has been banned from selling its cheese in Europe after EC officials found evidence of antibiotics, dyes and detergents in its products. The commission took the action against Bowland Dairy after it found 'serious breaches of EU food safety rules'.

The company was visited by officers from the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office in June where a raft of food safety and hygiene issues were discovered.

Commission officials said there was evidence the dairy used out-of-date milk and raw milk containing antibiotic residues or milk contaminated with substances such as detergents and dyes.

The EC asked the UK's Food Standards Agency to act in June but the commission ruled it had not done enough.

The commission said: 'A follow-up inspection in September found persistent non-compliance in the dairy, while extensive discussions between the commission and the UK authorities revealed that they took no effective action to ensure that the dairy came into full compliance with EU hygiene and food safety laws.'

The UK abstained from voting when officials at a national food safety meeting moved to ban the cheese. The Commission is considering action against the UK for its lack of action on this issue.

The FSA said it had yet to see the Commission inspectors' report from September so it could not support the move to ban exports.

Refuted allegations
It said: 'In this case, there are genuine differences of views on the science behind testing for antibiotics in milk and these have not yet been resolved.'

Bowland Dairy said in a statement that it had been 'the unfortunate victim of an ongoing dispute between the European Commission, UK authorities and the Food Standards Agency, on the interpretation of EU food safety regulations'.

The company said it refuted the Commission's allegations and would be challenging the decision before the European Court.

Now the EC is planning an inspection of the entire UK dairy sector in November.

The Commission promised further action if evidence of similar practices are found elsewhere in the UK.

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid eating raw oysters harvested in the Pacific Northwest as a result of increased reports of illnesses associated with the naturally occurring bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) in oysters harvested from the area. Oysters harvested from this region have been reported to cause gastrointestinal illness.

Until the threat of Vp from oysters harvested in the Pacific Northwest has passed, consumers are advised to thoroughly cook oysters harvested from that area before eating. They also should thoroughly cook oysters if they are not certain of the oysters' origin, or if they wish to further reduce their risk of infection from bacteria that may be found in raw oysters.

In recent months, there has been an unusual increase in bacterial illness associated with eating raw oysters from the Pacific Northwest. The illnesses are associated with the naturally occurring bacterium Vp, which is most prevalent during summer months when water temperatures in the Pacific Northwest are most favourable for its growth. While Vp can cause mild gastrointestinal disorders in healthy individuals, older persons and those with weak immune systems are at greater risk for serious more illness, such as septicemia (infection of the blood system).

Pacific Northwest oysters are distributed nationally. Although to date most of the illnesses reported have occurred in the Pacific Northwest, some have been reported in New York state as well.

In Washington state, shellfish control authorities are identifying and closing areas where people have become sick from eating oysters.
Washington state has initiated a recall of all shell stock oysters (oysters in the shell) harvested from areas closed within the state. Because of the potential for nationwide distribution, consumers are advised to follow recall instructions and return associated shell stock oysters to the retailer from which they were purchased.

Cooking destroys the bacteria, eliminating the risk of illness for both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.The majority of illnesses that occur from the consumption of raw oysters are not life-threatening to the general population and commonly range from mild intestinal disorders of short duration to acute gastroenteritis. The symptoms are watery diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. Usually these symptoms occur within 24 hours of ingestion and last no more than three days. Severe disease is rare and occurs most commonly in persons with weakened immune systems.

Persons with weakened immune systems, including those affected by AIDS; and persons with chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach or blood disorders, cancer; diabetes, or kidney disease should avoid raw oyster consumption altogether, regardless of where the oysters are harvested.

Consumers can continue to enjoy oysters in many cooked preparations by following this advice.

At Restaurants and other Foodservice Establishments:
* Order oysters fully cooked.

In the shell:
* Purchase oysters with the shells closed. Throw away any oysters with shells already opened.
* Boil oysters until the shells open. Once open boil for an additional 3-5 minutes.
* Steamer - add oysters to water that is already steaming and cook live oysters until the shells open, once open steam for another 4-9 minutes.
* Use smaller pots to boil or steam oysters. Using larger pots, or cooking too many oysters at one time, may cause uneven heat distribution, which may cause the oysters in the middle to not get fully cooked.
* Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.

Shucked Oysters:
* Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or until the edges curl.
* Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes.
* Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes.
* Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

For further information contact:
FDA website: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov

The risks associated with fish consumption outweigh potential benefits, say dietitians and doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). PCRM nutrition experts are available for comment in response to a new report commissioned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the topic. The report, conducted by the National Academies of Science, was released on October 17th in conjunction with another study on fish from the Harvard School of Public Health.

‘The problems go beyond mercury and other contaminants,’ says Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H., a public health specialist with PCRM. ‘Fish are surprisingly high in cholesterol and saturated fat-that is ‘bad’ fat, which accounts for 15 to 30 percent of fish fat. Ounce for ounce, shrimp and lobster are much higher in cholesterol than steak.'

While fish does provide high levels of omega-3 fatty acid, a ‘good’ fat thought to help with cardiovascular health, most consumers don't realise that all fats have the same caloric content. ‘Good’ fats are just as likely to help one pack on the pounds as bad fats. Only a portion of the fat in fish is omega-3; much of the remaining fat is saturated. Chinook salmon, for example, derives 55 percent of its calories from fat, and swordfish derives 30 percent. About one-quarter of the fat in both types of fish is saturated.
Fish and shellfish are also significant sources of cholesterol. Three ounces of shrimp have 130 milligrams of cholesterol; in comparison, a 3-ounce steak has about 80 milligrams.

The most nutritious sources of omega-3s are plant-based foods, including green leafy vegetables, legumes, soybeans, and walnuts.

Web: http://www.pcrm.org/health/reports/fish_report.htm

Mythology is about human experience and it offers valuable life lessons to the person who understands the history and nature of myth. Mythogenic says that here are some interesting points that will help you with this understanding.

1. Human beings fall easily into despair and from the very beginning we invented stories that helped us to place our lives in a larger setting, that revealed a purpose and pattern to life, and gave us a sense that, against all the depressing and chaotic evidence to the contrary, life had meaning and value.

2. Mythology is meant to help us live more intensely in the world. To really live life, and engage fully in it in every way.

3. Myth came about as a remedy for a person's fear of death once their awareness of their own immortality came to be.

4. A powerful myth takes a person beyond themselves and their every day experience and leads them into a ‘new world’ that is unknown and sometimes feared.

5. Myth is not a story told for its own sake. It shows us how to behave so that we are in the correct spiritual or psychological frame of mind for action in this life...or the next.

The next ‘Mythogenic Self™ Experience’ training course is taking place on November 25th/26th in Kingston, Surrey. Details can be found at http://www.generativenlp.com/products/mythogenic-self-experience.html or by calling 020-8974-8974.

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