At the specific request of the NHF, and with the participation of John Hammell, of the IAHF, Representatives Ron Paul (R-TX), Peter DeFaizo (D-OR), Dan Burton (R-IN), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), and Virgil Goode (R-VA) have signed a joint letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, seeking answers to eight questions related to the agency’s conduct and participation related to the Trilateral Cooperation Charter between the US, Canada and Mexico.  

The NHF is the only health-freedom group with sustained Congressional access and lobbying resources with a known representational identity that is pushing this issue, as of now. Hopefully, other groups will join in a Congressional coalition effort. The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have and are jointly engaged in “conferencing” with Canadian and Mexican regulatory bodies under the auspices of a Trilateral Cooperation Charter. It appears that the FDA has and is engaged with its regulatory counterparts for the purpose of creating one harmonized set of food-and-drug regulations for all three countries. Canada and Mexico regulate supplements as drugs, whereas the US treats them more like foods as regards to regulatory oversight. The FDA and FTC scope of participation and any joint bilateral agreements have apparently not been fully disclosed to the public.

Congressman Paul, in a collaborative effort with the NHF lobbyist, is spearheading the lobbying effort. Along with these five Representatives, other Congresspersons are being targeted and approached to send identical letters to the FDA. Depending upon an FDA response, Congressional lobbying efforts will expand the investigation of FDA involvement, with the goal, if necessary, of having a Congressional oversight hearing if the agency does not cooperate fully and explain this apparent semi-secret bilateral relationship.

There is a tentative draft of the joint Congressional letter that may be circulating within the health freedom community. This was not the official letter sent.

The official letter sent to the FDA on July 28, 2006 appears below: