Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) - Statement to Media

OTTAWA, June 8 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) would like to respond to an article posted on CBC.ca on June 8th, 2010. The article is entitled Health food store advice not scientific: study.

The article represents an unfair and one-sided attack on an industry that helps protect the health of Canadians from coast to coast. It paints a misleading picture of health store retailers and an industry dominated by safe and effective products that 75% of Canadians have come to rely upon to protect and enhance their health.

CHFA publishes a quarterly report entitled Research and Your Health that documents the scientific nature of the products in our industry. In a recent edition of this publication, for example, an observational study showed that the risk for certain types of cancer was reduced by as much as 60% in individuals that take vitamin D and calcium supplements. This was a 4-year, population-based, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. The study referred to in the CBC.ca article cannot match such a trial in terms of scientific veracity.

Natural health products are just that - natural. They are safe products that are fully regulated with a much lower risk profile than drugs, and so should not be compared to pharmaceutical products. This is an industry based on sound science and effective products. The study conducted by Athabasca University and referred to in the CBC.ca article are unfair representations of an industry that helps the majority of Canadians achieve optimal health and well-being.

For further information: Barbara Barrett, CHFA Public Relations, Telephone: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]