>Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 19:26:22 -0400 (EDT)
>X-Sender: mgang@interlog.com
>X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Version 2.1.1
>To: jham@concentric.net
>From: "Stephen J. Marsden" <smarsden@MAIL.ORION.ORG> (by way of Marilyn
Gang <mgang@interlog.com>)
>Subject: FDA TO BURN BOOKS
>
>John - If you haven't seen this yet, here it is.  Was just
>emailed to my list today.  --- Marilyn --
>----------------------------------------------------------
>
>Subject: Stevia
>   Date:  Sun, 24 May 1998 22:39:35 -0500
>   From: Mary Stoddard <marystod@airmail.net>
>     To:   Steve Marsden <herbal@dialnet.net>
>
>Steve,
>
>I am a Publicist by profession [Aspartame Consumer Safety Network & Pilot
>Hotline are my avocation] and Oscar Rodes is a good friend of mine, so I
>became the Stevita Co. Publicist this weekend. Here's a news release I
>want you to *copy and send out to everyone you know*. This story isn't
>over yet. Stay tuned.
>
>
>ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENTS EDITORS & PRODUCERS
>Contact  Mary Stoddard: 214-352-4268 or email: marystod@airmail.net
>
>"Freedom of the Press embraces the circulation of books as well as their
>publication."
> -- from Judge's ruling in Bantam Books v Sullivan [1963]
>
>FDA ATTEMPTS TO COMPEL DESTRUCTION OF BOOKS
>[On Natural Herbal Supplement Stevia]
>
>        DALLAS - May 26, 1998 -- In an unprecendented move, US Food and
>Drug Administration officials threatened legal action against Texas-based
>Stevita Co., importers of the sweet-tasting herbal dietary supplement,
>Stevia - for distributing books and literature about their product. The
>latest volley in a bitter battle has been fired at Texas-based Stevita
>Co.by federal Food and Drug Administration officials.  The FDA, an agency
>of the federal government, is responsible for upholding the U.S.
>Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. This
>responsiblity was drawn into question on May 19th when FDA Compliance
>Officer, James R. Lahar faxed a letter to Stevita Co. addressing the
>destruction of 2,500 books he deemed "offending," at a cost to the company
>well in excess of $10,000. The letter further threatens that investigators
>will conduct a current inventory and "witness the destruction of the
>cookbooks, literature, and other publications for the purpose of verifying
>compliance" upon visiting Stevita Co. for a fourth time this year.
>        One of three books in question is The Stevia Story  - A tale of
>incredible sweetness & intrigue, by Linda Bonvie, Bill Bonvie and Donna
>Gates with Foreword by James S. Turner, Esq..  Ironically, Chapter Four of
>the book the FDA wants to destroy is titled: "What's wrong with the FDA?"
>An attempt to strongarm critics into silence - similar to book burnings in
>Nazi Germany?
>        Oscar Rodes, President of the Stevita Company said the FDA ordered
>the action because the books contain general information that include:
>history, usages and scientific studies regarding stevia.  Currently,
>Federal law requires stevia herbal products can only be marketed as
>dietary supplements without any mention of having sweetening power.
>
>                                ###
>
>[Media contact Mary Stoddard for names and telephone numbers of all
>Principals available for interview]
>
>"The Stevia Story-A tale of incredible sweetness & intrigue" by Linda
>Bonvie, Bill Bonvie and Donna Gates [ISBN :0-9638458-1-0 ; 79 pp; B.E.D.
>Publications Co., Atlanta, GA 30327; 1997. 1-800-4STEVIA.]
>
>"Information You Can't Afford to Miss"
>http://web2.airmail.net/marystod
>
>Thought you might be interested.
>Steve Marsden
>http://www.HerbalAdvantage.com
>Herbal@HerbalAdvantage.com
>800-753-9199
>Rogersville, Missouri
>
>
>
>
******************************************
Donations Needed- Need Help to Keep Helper On
International Advocates for Health Freedom
John C. Hammell, Legislative Advocate
2411 Monroe St. Hollywood, FL 33020 USA
800-333-2553, 954-929-2905, FAX 954-929-0507,
jham@iahf.com    http://www.iahf.com
HERBS ARE _NOT_ DRUGS! HELP PASS HR 2868
THE CONSUMER HEALTH FREE SPEECH ACT!!!