An extraordinary press release from Fluoride Free NZ highlights the inconsistency of the group’s position on science – and then attempts to re-write local history.

The release this week cites the new data from the highly-respected Dunedin longitudinal study showing that exposure to lead in the ‘70s reduced children’s IQ by about 4 points.

The lobby group’s release attempts to compare the danger of lead to exposure to water fluoridation – yet the group has repeatedly rejected the same Dunedin study’s finding that water fluoridation has no effect on IQ and in fact improves lives by reducing the burden of tooth decay.

“It’s ridiculous that FFNZ is trying to have it both ways,” says Making Sense of Fluoride president Daniel Ryan. “You can’t accept the results you like from a study and then turn around and dismiss the ones you don’t, especially when the data is from the same source.”

The dangers of lead poisoning have been known since the 19th century, though lead was slow to be recognised as a hazardous fuel additive. The FFNZ release goes on to make a further remarkable claim: that the Royal Society of NZ supported opposition to lead’s removal from petrol – when in fact, the Society commissioned its own study and in 1986, recommended removing all lead from gasoline (which occurred in 1996).

“Perhaps FFNZ has made this claim because they’ve never accepted the Royal Society’s 2014 review finding that fluoridation is safe and effective,” says Mr Ryan. “Once again, they are misrepresenting data and even history to support their opposition to fluoridation. It’s time they faced reality.”

For more information please contact:

Dr Ken Perrott, Science adviser, MSoF

[email protected]

Daniel Ryan, President, MSoF

[email protected]

The post Fluoride Free NZ makes astonishing claim appeared first on Making Sense of Fluoride.

Two more rulings released today find Fluoride Free New Zealand is not a reliable source of information – and MSoF president Daniel Ryan is urging Whakatane District Councillors to pay
attention to the rulings when they revisit the issue of fluoridation tomorrow.

The decisions by the Advertising Standards Authority relate to an information leaflet distributed by fluoridation opponents during November’s referendum in Thames and to their newspaper advertising at the time.

The leaflet made a number of claims such as ‘fluoride is harmful to health’ and ‘fluoridation does not reduce dental decay’, which the ASA found to be misleading and alarmist, while parts of the newspaper ads were found to unjustifiably play on consumers’ fears.

‘Fluoride Free NZ has no qualms about spreading false information,’ says Ryan. ‘This is just the latest in an ongoing series of successful complaints against FFNZ which in fact currently ranks as the 12th worst organisation in NZ for successfully upheld or settled ASA complaints; quite an achievement when taking into account the small scale of their advertising.’

Ryan says it’s disturbing that before voting narrowly in late January to remove fluoridation in the Whakatane District Council water supply, one of only four parties invited to address the council was FFNZ.

‘FFNZ is simply not a reliable source. The Advertising Standards Authority is a neutral body and it has demonstrated that you don’t need to be a scientist to see when a statement is an opinion rather than a fact.’

‘It appears some of the councillors take FFNZ’s information at face value,’ Ryan adds. ‘To be fair, opponents are slick at making their information look convincing which makes it challenging for councillors. It’s why we and so many other public health advocates keep calling on central government to give responsibility for fluoridation to the Ministry of Health.’

Meanwhile, MSoF calls on Whakatane District Councillors to be mindful of today’s ASA decisions, along with the overwhelming scientific consensus on the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation, when they meet to reconsider their decision tomorrow.

Full ASA decisions:
http://msof.nz/wp-content/uploads/ASA-complaint-15470.pdf
http://www.asa.co.nz//backend/documents/2016/02/10/15503.pdf

For more information please contact:

Dr Ken Perrott
Science advertiser, MSoF
[email protected]

Daniel Ryan
President, MSoF
[email protected]

The post More Strikes Against the Credibility of Fluoride Free NZ as Whakatane Councillors reconsider their decision appeared first on Making Sense of Fluoride.