No: 1 in a series of articles - Natural Products Shows
When I agreed to write a regular column for Health Care Weekly Review I had planned as an ongoing subject, details of the production of a DVD I am producing called “Alternative Treatments for Prostate Cancer” and some of the subjects covered in that endeavor. But as I was cogitating on the kick-off article and thinking about the whole universe of “natural treatments”, I decided to take in the enormous Natural Products Show West at Anaheim Convention Center in California.
Much criticism is being directed towards the ‘natural” industry lately including the desire of government to regulate vitamins and supplements. That subject in itself is simply waiting to explode as the opposing sides line up for battle. I have very strong feelings on the subject and I fall on the side of the least government intervention, the less blood will have to be cleaned off the carpet. However, two days of wandering around this “natural” show leads me to conclude that the industry that does not police itself, will invite policing from a higher source. And I do not mean the Kosher source! Quite simply, I am appalled, that some products are allowed to use the word “natural” in the context that their definition of “natural” means healthy.
Much of this merchandise, both good and questionable, was being given away as samples to attendees who are retail store owners and other members of the trade, not the general public. The largest line that I saw however was for the free “hotdogs” and “ice cream”.The amounts of sugar used in many of the products is astonishing and begs the question: does the general public really know what sugar is? Does anyone remember SUGAR BLUES, written by William Dufty more than thirty years ago? I had the distinct impression that the connection between sugar and diabetes remained a mystery even to many of the people selling these products, not to mention the people who put together the ingredients.More than once I was told that this is the taste that the American consumer wants, or that it is the only taste they can sell.
One story stood out way beyond the general level and that involved a young lady who asked an exhibitor if her product was “sugar free” since this was important to her. She was told that it was; I asked this young lady, if "sugar-free" was so important to her, then why was she consuming a name-brand energy drink that contained around 35 grams of sugar. She explained that it was not sugar but cane juice. I pointed out that sugar is sugar, wherever it comes from, and cane juice certainly is sugar. She retorted, "That is your opinion!" and stormed off without further explanation. Unfortunately, her underwhelming knowledge is a perfect target for the clever salesmanship governing much of the "natural food industry." Integrity and a thorough knowledge of what constitutes---and supports--- "health"
appear to come secondary in favor of sweet quick-fix solutions to America's health problems.