MP Mark Warawa Addresses Concerns of Langley Citizens On Amending the Food and Drug Act

May 23, 2008

Langley MP Mark Warawa met with more than 80 concerned citizens on Thursday night regarding Bill C51, an Act to Amend the Food and Drug Act. The introduction of bill C-51 is one step in the government’s Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan and is an attempt to modernize the 50 year old Food and Drug Act.

Recently, Health Canada officials have been crossing the country meeting with stakeholder’s and NHP professionals to help clarify the intent of the proposed legislation and have set up a toll free number for Canadians to call. Bill C-51 has been criticized by some stakeholders and consumers who are afraid it will restrict an individual’s right to choose how to treat themselves for ailments or restrict options for prevention so they can remain healthy.

Residents who attended the meeting had contacted Warawa’s MP office recently about their concerns regarding the proposed legislation. Concerns were based around the potential ‘big brother’ access to Canadians who use Natural Health Products and included whether or not vitamins would now require a prescription, whether inspectors would have access to private homes, and viewed the legislation as a way for doctors and pharmaceutical companies to control NHP businesses.

Warawa addressed the concerns of residents, “The Bill is focused at the commerce of food, drugs and cosmetics; not at the consumer.”

“The meeting addressed the fact that the intent of Bill C-51 is actually to protect consumers from manufacturers and importers who currently are under limited regulations as to what is being sold as a Natural Health Product in Canada,” says Warawa. “Currently there is a potential for the health and safety of Canadians to be jeopardized due to the lack of controls over the labeling practices, and marketing and distribution of potentially dangerous food, drugs and cosmetics.”

“The intent of the Bill is to provide greater consumer safety and access to safe and effective food, drugs (including natural health products and medical devices) and cosmetics,“ says Warawa. “Natural health products (NHPs) are not the focus of this legislation but provide the government greater ability enforce current regulations and ensure that manufacturers and distributors properly label their product. It also allows the government to remove product that has been proven dangerous to Canadians.”

Warawa was thanked for his efforts to reach out to his constituents, and assured them that their concerns, and those of any other Langley residents will be forwarded directly to the Minister. For more information on Bill C51 or to voice your concerns and questions you can:

Visit the websites:

www.healthycanadians.gc.ca
www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Call 1-866-891-4542 to speak with an official

Or email: fscap-paspac@hc-sc.gc.ca