WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

Consumers’ Bill Of Rights Badly Needed In Canada

By EILEEN ROBINS

Canadians have been shocked, in recent months, to read of a drug which, having been taken by many expectant mothers as a sedative, apparently caused serious malformation to their unborn children. The drug—‘thalidomide’—which had proved to be eminently successful as a sedation, and as a treatment for preg- nancy nausea, was accepted by Canada’s Food and Drug Director- ate to be sold by prescription in this country, in April 1961.

In compliance with the Food and Drugs Act, the new drug had been tested and tested, and tested again, and had been on sale in Europe long before.

West Germany

In West Germany, in the Fall of 1961, it began to be apparent that the drug was causing severe mal- formation of babies born to women who had taken the thalidomide dur- ing pregnancy. West Germany and Britain withdrew the drug complete- ly in November, 1961.

Early in December letters were sent to all Canadian Doctors, warn- ing them not to prescribe the drug for pregnant women, but it was March, 1962, — some months after the initial warning from West Ger- many—before Canadian drug manu- facturers were requested to withdraw thalidomide from sale, and April béfore inspection was carried out to ensure its withdrawal.

For those of you interested in reading the entire tragic story, Mac- lean’s of May 19 carries it, brilliant- ly told by June Callwood, one of Canada’s top journalists.

Too Slow

It seems clear that the Food and Drug Directorate of the Depart- ment of Health and Welfare, which is the government agency delegated to protect Canadian consumers against such contingencies, moved too slowly in this case.

It seems equally clear that the Directorate believed itself to be act- ing in the best interests of Canadians. Its staff is highly-qualified and de- dicated.

If the fault lies anywhere, it ap- pears to be in the fact that the Di- rectorate staff is too small, and its budget limited: a staff of about 300 and an annual budget of two million dollars, compared with 2,500 staff and a budget of 22 million dol- lars for the Foods and Drugs Ad- ministration in the United States. Certainly there is a difference in populations — but little difference in the amount of testing to be done on drugs and foods.

Cake-Mix Scare

Soon after the shock regarding the drug thalidomide, the great cake- mix scare began. This was caused by publication of the news that sal- monella, a bacteria which can cause sickness in adults, and worse for in- fants, was present in cake - mixes which had been offered for sale on store shelves.

How had this been discovered? Not by the cake-mixes being exam- ined before they went on sale, but because the Food and Drug Direc- torate noticed that the number of salmonella poisonings was rising sus- piciously above normal. The Direc- torate then sampled cake - mixes and found some to be contaminated with the bacteria. As a result, the law which states that all food pro- ducts using egg powder must be free of salmonella contamination when they leave the plant, is now being strictly enforced.

No Pre-test

But the Directorate is not able to inspect all food manufacturing plants during the course of a year, nor does it pre-test new foods which go on the market. One presumes, therefore, that any penalties under the law dealing with salmonella con- tamination would not be imposed until salmonella poisoning had tak- en place, or unless contamination was found in a sample taken by random by the Directorate for test- ing. In addition to this sample test- ing, which it carries out all the time, the Directorate does pre-test foods when new chemicals are added.

It is obvious, however, that the Directorate needs to be enlarged and its scope and authority broad- ened and strengthened. Tommy Douglas, national leader of the New Democratic Party, said during the election campaign, that the New Democrats would introduce a Con- sumer’s Bill of Rights which, among other items, would provide for ef- fective safeguards against distribu- tion of tainted, impure or dangerous foods, drugs and other consumer goods.

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For Douglas

For once, the Canadian Medical Association, which has never shown any liking for Mr. Douglas’ theories, is in agreement with him. In its brief to the Royal Commission on Health Services, the CMA stated that Canada’s Food and Drug Act administration is inadequate, and handicapped by a small annual bud- get. Dr. R. L. Rabson of Winnipeg, who helped present the brief, stated

that large amounts of government money should be spent to strengthen

the staff and facilities of the admini- stration, so that it can carefully test and prevent possibly dangerous drugs from getting on the market. Dr. Rabson did not specifically men- tion food, but presumably he would agree that it is equally important that potentially dangerous food pro- ducts be kept off the market.

As a matter of fact, without go- ing into the details of what might be possible with a larger, more powerful Food and Drug Director- ate, it is easy to think of simple legislation which could protect the consumer from, literally, poisoning himself.

Ice Cream Danger

Food experts agree that ice cream, once it has become soft, should not be re-frozen—it is a particularly good medium for bacteria growth. Yet, in my examination of half-a- dozen different brands of ice cream, I found not one carton with this warning printed on it. It would surely be a small inconvenience for the ice cream manufacturers to print such a warning on their labels?

It is also well known that bulging or dented cans are dangerous. Yet what is the attitude of supermarkets? They put such cans on their Reduced for Quick Sale counter! It seems to me that it would be a simple matter to forbid the sale of damaged cans.

Supermarkets are also the culprits when it comes to frozen food dis- plays, where the food is handled, thaws a bit, then becomes frozen again. The food lower down in the display case may have been through this thawing and re-freezing process several times before we actually pur- chase it. Legislation could provide for strict inspection of frozen foods, so that those which are partially thawed could be removed from the case and discarded, or sold with the warning that they be used at once and not re-frozen.

Under the New Democratic pro- posal of a Consumer's Bill of Rights, such legislation, and much more to protect the consumer, would be writ- ten into the statute books. It is time, surely, that the Conservatives and Liberals also realized that Canada’s consumer protection laws are inade- quate.

1 —— BUSINESS AGENT, GIL INGRAM of Local 1-85, Port Alberni, right, makes presenta- tion of stemware to President Joe Morris and Mrs. Morris on behalf of his Local

Union during the farewell party held for the Morris’ by the Coast Locals at Wood- workers’ House.

This Japanese Strike Proves Whose Boss

OSAKA, Japan (UPI)—A henpecked boss was blamed by a union leader for the walkout of 600 women employees at the Asia Pharmaceutical Co. here.

Union chairman Juzo Nakahchi said he pulled the girls off their jobs when negotiations for a new contract broke down. He claimed no agree- ment was reached because the company president, Sueo Sato, 56, could

not make any management decisions without first consulting his wife, Kimie Sato, 48.

“The union charge is a vicious slander against my husband and myself,” Mrs. Sato said. Her husband, reported to be in failing health, remained silent.

Modern Times

Connect my toothbrush

I feel no tremor!

The high-chair’s had it! Plug in the hammer!

It does not take

More than one finger

To sew or wash or

Use the wringer.

I vacuum-clean with energy! We dearly love the car,

It all spells automation, And overweight so far...

SUSAN MONKMAN

Sick List

Royal Columbian

Sisters Betty Trineer and Elizabeth Rose of the LA of Local 1-857, IWA., visited the following patients in the Royal Columbian Hospital May 24 to June 12, distributing candy, cigarettes and copies of the Western Canadian Lumber Worker. Clifford Yaciw, Rayon- ier (New West.) ; Peter Light, Ameri- can Fabricators; Rudolph Gelowitz, Tim- pound Jim Scott, Evans an

x * ran regon, MacMillan, Bloedel; Ore’ showed that a basement pipe had Boileau, B.C. Mfg.; Roy McGregor, burst; the water was slowly rising ete eames coe Leonard Larson, aan

ale, Fraser Mills; H. Braun Timber on the cellar floor. . Preservers; George Coutu, Fraser Mills;

“Call the plumber,” said Mrs. Clarence Moore, Flavelle Cedar; Ted

" Anderson, Rayonier (New West.); Wal-

Aspirin Repairs

A wholly fictitious doctor named Jones was awakened at four a.m. recently by the sound of running water. Investigation

Jones. ter Kuby, panier Veneer; F. Ferraro, “ 9» Pacific Pine; G. Trotter, Surrey Cedar; At four a.m.? the doctor J. Herring, M. Turnbull, Whonnock asked. Lumber; Ken Matheson, Timber Preser-

vers; John McCormack, T. Sundveck, Pacific Veneer; Carl Carlson, Angus Craig, Timber Preservers; Alvin Sharpe, Westminster Shook; Clifford Horton, Granville Bay; Roy Corey, Peter Hei- sler, Pacific Pine.

King’s Daughters

Sisters Gladys Sjoberg of the LA of Local 1-80, IWA., visited the following patients in the King’s Daughters Hos- pital June 8, distributing candy, cig- arettes and copies of the Western Cana- dian Lumber Worker. Frank Williken, Lake Cowichan; Ernie Pickard, Duncan; Edward D. Pepin (Jr.), Lake Cowichan; Jerry Gregson, Duncan; Ano Wiersma, Dunean; Otto Chremeich, Youbou; Mr. M,. Kral Youbou; Mrs. G. Bergman, Dun- ean; Mrs. M. Thorne, Duncan; Mrs. Ed McMahon, Lake Cowichan; V.B. Parsey, Lake Cowichan; Judy Jubenville, Lake

“Certainly,” his wife replied. “He wouldn’t hesitate to call you if he had a medical problem.”

So Doctor Jones called his plumber and explained the emer- gency.

“You were quite right to call me,” the plumber said. “Ill tell you what to do. Drop two aspirin tablets into the broken pipe every two hours. If the leak hasn’t cleared up by nine o’clock, call me at the office.”

152 West Hastings Street

Westminster

INSTRUCTION IN INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID

available through Correspondence Courses leading to Industrial First Aid Certificates approved by the Workmen’s Compensation Board of B.C. For further information communicate with

THE INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID ATTENDANTS ASSN. OF B.C.

CREDIT UNION DIRECTORY IWA Credit Unions and other Credit Unions

supported by IWA Local Unions in B.C.

Alberni District Credit Union, Head Office: 211 Argyle St., Port Al- berni, B.C, Alberni Branch: 280 Merrifield St., Alberni, B.C.

IWA 1-217 Savings, Broadway & Quebec Streets, Vancouver 10

IWA (N.W.) Credit Union, Room 21, 774 Columbia Street, New

Local 1-118, IWA (Victoria), 904 Gordon Street, Victoria Chemainus & District Credit Union, Box 229, Chemainus Lake Cowichan and District Credit Union, Lake Cowichan, B.C. Courtenay Credit Union, Box 952, Courtenay

Duncan & District Credit Union, Box 1717, Duncan

Prince George & District, 1046 - 4th Avenue, Prince George Nanaimo & District Credit Union, 499 Wallace St., Nanaimo Ladysmith & District Credit Union, Box 154, Ladysmith, B.C. United Labour Credit Union, 1475 East 43rd, Vancouver Salmon Arm Credit Union, Shuswap Ave., Salmon Arm, B.C.

Cowichan; Mrs Baites, Duncan; Mrs. E. Bognar, Youbou; Mrs. G.A, Trueman, Cobble Hill; Mrs. S.W. Gibson, Duncan; Mrs. Olie Beline, Lake Cowichan.

State Hits Doctors

Vancouver 3, B.C.

The New Jersey state legisla- ture passed a resolution con- demning a threat by 200 doctors to refuse to take part in a system of providing medical care to the elderly.

C. J. MURDOCH

Please Contact Jackson at Suite 6

855 Thurlow St. Vancouver 5, MU 4-6045