Free access to natural health options is a basic human right

Free access to natural health options is a basic human right

Suggested Health Principles (“Bill of Rights”)

1. Every person has a basic right to choose natural therapies and control what goes into their body
2. Because of their history of use and safety profiles, natural foods, herbs, and nutrients should be regulated as food rather than as medicinal products
3. Natural foods, herbs, and nutrients sold in capsule or tablet form should be regulated as food supplements rather than as medicinal products
4. Government must bear the burden of proof if restricting access to natural therapies, foods, herbs, nutrients, and related supplements
5. Restrictions must be based only on demonstrable scientific evidence of an unreasonable safety risk
6. Our ability to make informed decisions on natural therapies and what to eat requires free access to scientific information without censorship
7. Restrictions on labeling and commercial speech must be minimal and targeted to avoid unnecessarily reducing consumer options
8. Truthful statements about foods, herbs, and nutrients in any form should include unrestricted accurate information about the prevention and treatment of disease
9. Citizen input and impacts must be considered whenever non-emergency restrictions on natural products and therapies are proposed
10. Governments must consider these rights before regulations are imposed that may restrict citizens’ free access to natural therapies, foods, herbs, nutrients, and related supplements