|
By Kent Larsen
IOC Claims Hatch-Sponsored Drug Regs Lax
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND -- The International Olympic Committee attacked
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch on Tuesday, criticizing the Senator for his
support of the dietary supplements industry. The IOC claims that
dietary supplements are poorly labeled, and sometimes contain
steroids that the IOC has banned for athletes. Explanations from
athletes who tested positive for drugs during the Sydney Australia
games led the IOC to blame the supplements.
The IOC blamed Hatch because of his support and sponsorship of the
1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which limited the
Food and Drug Administration's authority to test and regulate the
substances. The dietary supplement industry includes two Utah
companies in its top 15, according to a 1997 report in Nutrition
Business Journal. Salt Lake-based Weider Nutrition Group is #7 with
sales of $219 million and Nature's Way Products of Springville, Utah
is #15, with $100 million in sales. Both companies employ many LDS
Church members.
Hatch reacted strongly to the IOC accusations, issuing a statement
that said these substances are legal in the U.S., and are only banned
for Olympic competitions. "It does not take a rocket scientist to
know that Olympic athletes should not be taking substances banned by
the IOC. That is not a matter of U.S. law or European law or any
other law. Everyone knows that even a commonly sold, over-the-counter
cold medication can disqualify an Olympic athlete. Does this mean
that we should take all cough syrup off the market?" Hatch also
pointed out that dietary supplements "must be labeled as to their
content. If the law is not being followed by U.S. manufacturers, then
we do need better enforcement. . . . The FDA could do a better job in
this area."
Sources:
Food fight: IOC vs. Hatch
Seattle WA Times 13Dec00 T2
IOC Blasts Utah Over Drug Regs
Salt Lake Tribune 13Dec00 T2
By Mike Gorrell: Salt Lake Tribune
|
