The Ultimate Truth. Demons, Dogma, Dominance, Definitions and Democracy - Farewell Address

Abstract

Few things are more dangerous than some people’s (our) “ultimate” truth claiming precedence over other people’s conception of truth. The ultimate truth kills dialogue and tolerance.

Within food law, dogma dictates that foods cannot have curative properties and, if they do, that this may not be communicated; that alcohol cannot have benign properties and, if it does, that this may not be communicated, and that correlations are not sufficient to communicate health benefits. Unauthorised medicinal or health claims may not be communicated by businesses not even as a news item, nor by journalists or even between professionals.

Food democracy requires a forum where all honestly held claims to truth can be shared. Consumers need protection, but we are citizens as well. Protection must not be allowed to take the shape of censorship.

Keywords: Farewell Address, Food Law, Food Labelling, Freedom of Expression, Free Speech, Medicinal Claims

JEL Classification: K20, K23, K30, K32, Q18