I need your help.
I and others who work in the field of holistically oriented nutrition are in a battle for our survival here in Michigan against the American Dietetic Association.
Four years ago the ADA’s (American Dietetic Association) lobbyists succeeded in convincing a legislator that all nutritional and dietetics practitioners should be licensed for the safety of the public and a law was passed. As a result of the licensure law that passed in 2006 the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition - appointed by the governor was charged with evaluating other nutrition credentials to determine if any other professionals (besides the Registered Dietitian) can be licensed. The credentials for licensure have been being debated for 4 years now by board members. Only two of the board members are supportive of the distinction between the ADA educational & careers paths and the Nutritionist educational and career paths. The registered dietitians are so far succeeding in writing the licensure requirements to be that of the RDA –
Based on the criteria that the board developed as "equivalent course of study" to dietetics, no other nutrition credentials are accepted. This means that the CNS, CCN, CNC, CN, DACBN do not meet criteria for licensure. However, a PhD or MS Nutrition who can document 900 hours of clinical experience is eligible to take an exam given by the state. The state will use the RD exam and may use the CNS exam for those who do not go through a dietetics program, such as someone with a MS or PhD in Nutrition.
This law will restrict your right to choose what kind of nutritional counseling by legally silencing those who have a different approach than the ADA. For more on some of the distinctions and impact of this law please visit the websites below. (aka; the food programs in our public schools, hospitals and prisons and their sponsors such as Coca-Cola Company - all run bay and endorsed by the ADA).
Please add your voice by using the forms at these websites to send an email against the law as it is being drafted an in support of health freedom of choice.
http://www.michigannutritionassociation.org/
https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=563
Please view the video (next post) featuring Jamie Oliver for more reasons why defeating this law is so important!
