Lifting the Ban on Coca Chewing Bolivia’S Proposal to Amend the 1961 Single Convention

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Lifting the Ban on Coca Chewing Bolivia’S Proposal to Amend the 1961 Single Convention Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 11 March 2011 Lifting the ban on coca chewing Bolivia’s proposal to amend the 1961 Single Convention By Martin Jelsma1 January 31 marked the close of the 18- month period during which countries could submit objections to Bolivia’s proposal to remove from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs the obligation to abolish the practice of coca chewing. A total of eighteen countries formally notified the UN Secretary General that they could not accept the proposed amendment: the United States, the United Kingdom, KEY POINTS Sweden, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Russian Federation, Japan, Singapore, • The ban on coca chewing is a violation of Slovakia, Estonia, France, Italy, Bulgaria, indigenous rights and needs to be lifted Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico and Ukraine.2 • The condemnation of coca leaf and tradit- ional use by the 1961 Single Convention The U.S. convened a group of ‘friends of conflicts with the principles and provisions of the convention’ to rally against what they later treaties and declarations perceived to be an undermining of the ‘integrity’ of the treaty and its guiding • The whole of South America expressed principle to limit the trade and use of support for Bolivia’s amendment proposal narcotic drugs exclusively to medical and • The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous scientific purposes. The UN Economic and Issues, in its advisory capacity to ECOSOC, Social Council (ECOSOC or the Council) recommends that Member States support this will have to decide how to proceed, most initiative likely during its substantive session in • The opposing arguments brought forward Geneva this July. in the eighteen objections to Bolivia’s pro- This briefing paper analyses the reasons posal are dubious and contradictory behind the proposed amendment and the • Rejecting the amendment will not make the opposing arguments that have been issue disappear brought forward, and outlines the various • A constructive dialogue is required to re- options to be considered as the fate of solve the legal ambiguities one way or another Bolivia’s proposal is determined. Simply rejecting the amendment will not make the • A WHO expert review of coca leaf is long issue disappear. overdue Legislative Reform of Drug Policies | 1 THE BAN ON COCA CHEWING: LEGAL different approach to plants from which AMBIGUITIES alkaloids could be extracted. The 1971 Convention did not condemn traditional The decision to ban coca chewing fifty years and ceremonial uses of the plants contain- ago was based on a 1950 report elaborated ing psychoactive ingredients that were in- by the UN Commission of Inquiry on the cluded in the 1971 schedules. Coca Leaf with a mandate from ECOSOC, after a brief visit to Peru and Bolivia. The The Mexican delegate at the 1971 conferen- head of the Commission, Howard B. ce referred to the traditional use of the Fonda, gave an interview in Lima in Sep- peyote cactus (containing the hallucinogenic tember 1949, before beginning his work: substance mescaline) arguing that the “reli- gious rite had not so far constituted a pub- “We believe that the daily, inveterate use lic health problem, still less given rise to illi- of coca leaves by chewing ... not only is cit traffic…. It would clearly be extremely thoroughly noxious and therefore detri- unjust to make the members of those tribes mental, but also is the cause of racial de- liable to penalties of imprisonment because generation in many centers of population, of a mistaken interpretation of the Conven- and of the decadence that visibly shows in tion and thus add an inhuman punishment numerous Indians – and even in some to their poverty and destitution….” 3 mestizos – in certain zones of Peru and Bolivia. Our studies will confirm the cer- The U.S. delegation agreed to “a consensus tainty of our assertions and we hope we that it was not worth attempting to impose can present a rational plan of action ... to controls on biological substances from which attain the absolute and sure abolition of psychotropic substances could be obtained.”4 this pernicious habit.” By excluding from the schedules plants from Fonda’s language reads to us now like a which alkaloids could be extracted, the 1971 relic from a long gone era. But the decision Convention deviated – with good reason – to outlaw coca chewing based on the out- from the guiding rule that was applied with 5 dated report is still in effect today. A scien- zero-tolerance in the Single Convention. tific update formally sanctioned by a UN 1988 Convention. The 1988 Convention agency has not been undertaken since. against Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Embarrassingly, therefore, the 1950 report Psychotropic Substances added further con- still counts as the official UN reference fusion on the issue of traditional use. In a document on the coca leaf. new attempt to obtain legal recognition for Peru and Argentina did register reserva- traditional uses, Peru and Bolivia negoti- tions regarding the articles banning coca ated paragraph 2 of article 14 into the 1988 chewing when signing the 1961 Conven- Convention, saying that measures to eradi- tion, but both countries later withdrew cate illicit cultivation and to eliminate illicit their objections, Peru upon ratification in demand “shall respect fundamental human 1963 and Argentina in 1979. Bolivia initial- rights and shall take due account of tradi- ly did not sign at all and only acceded to the tional licit uses, where there is historic evi- treaty in 1976, without any reservations. dence of such use.” The 1961 treaty obligation to abolish coca chewing is thus universally in force today, However, the 1988 Convention (articles even though much has happened since that 14.1 and 25) also said that its provisions raises questions about the validity of the ban. should not derogate from any obligations under the previous drug control treaties. 1971 Convention. Only ten years after the Bolivia therefore also made a formal reser- Single Convention, the 1971 Convention vation to the 1988 Convention emphasizing on Psychotropic Substances took a notably that its “legal system recognizes the ances- 2 | Legislative Reform of Drug Policies tral nature of the licit use of the coca leaf the intention of the plenipotentiary con- which, for much of Bolivia’s population, ferences that adopted those conventions.” dates back over centuries.” Peru also re- served the right to legal cultivation,6 and The INCB found that it “does not appear Colombia underscored the rights to grow necessary to amend the international drug coca of its indigenous populations.7 control treaties in substantive terms at this stage, but some technical adjustments are National legislation. Like Bolivia, Peru has necessary in order to update some of their always maintained a legal coca market provisions.”12 Summarizing its conclusions under its domestic law and declared coca on the coca leaf, the Board recommended 8 chewing in 2005 as cultural patrimony. that “the conflict between the provisions of Argentina decriminalised coca leaf in 1989 the 1961 Convention and the views and by inserting the following exemption article legislation of countries where the use of coca in its own law: “The possession and con- leaf is legal should be solved. There is a need sumption of the coca leaf in its natural to undertake a scientific review to assess the state, destined for the practice of ‘coqueo’ coca-chewing habit and the drinking of coca or chewing, or its use as an infusion, will tea”,13 calling on the WHO to undertake such not be considered as possession or con- a review. sumption of narcotics.” 9 WHO. In 1992 the World Health Organi- Colombia allows the traditional use of coca zation’s Expert Committee on Drug in its indigenous reserves.10 And the new Dependence (ECDD) undertook a ‘pre- Bolivian Constitution says that the: “State review’ of coca leaf at its 28th meeting. The protects the original and ancestral coca leaf 28th ECDD report concluded that, “the coca as part of the cultural Heritage … in its leaf is appropriately scheduled under the natural state it is not a narcotic.”11 This Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, article poses an absolute legal conflict with 1961, since cocaine is readily extractable Bolivia’s obligation under the 1961 Con- from the leaf. The Committee did not vention that needs to be resolved one way recommend coca leaf for critical review.” or another. INCB. Several of these inconsistencies were It is noteworthy that the Committee did pointed out by the International Narcotics not reconfirm the conclusion that coca leaf Control Board (INCB) in the supplement to should be scheduled because chewing the its Report for 1994. It contained a section on leaves was considered a hazardous practice, “Coca leaf: a need to clarify ambiguities,” but only because it is the raw material for saying that “the Board would like the clarifi- cocaine extraction. Moreover, the Com- cation of the long-standing misunderstand- mittee drew attention to the fact that since ing of the provisions of article 14 of the the 1950 report by the UN Commission of 1988 Convention, which has had some Inquiry on the Coca Leaf “there has been bearing on the debate on coca leaf.” The no official evaluation of coca leaf chewing 14 Board also pointed out that there by WHO.” “were no specific provisions in the 1961 Subsequently, the findings of a 1995 WHO Convention regarding another traditional study on coca/cocaine proved controver- non-medical use of coca leaf, the drinking sial, and were left unpublished due to in- of coca tea (mate de coca). Thus, mate de tense U.S. pressure. According to the brief- coca, which is considered harmless and ing kit that summarized the study’s results, legal in several countries in South Ameri- the “use of coca leaves appears to have no ca, is an illegal activity under the provi- negative health effects and has positive sions of both the 1961 Convention and therapeutic, sacred and social functions for the 1988 Convention, though that was not indigenous Andean populations.”15 Legislative Reform of Drug Policies | 3 Indigenous Rights.
Recommended publications
  • Legalization of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs Is Presented Below
    I. OVERVIEW 1. Measures taken nationally and internationally to reduce drug abuse and trafficking have yet to yield more universally visible and decisive results and, consequently, the validity and appropriateness of the drug control measures that Governments have agreed upon in international conventions and resolutions have continued to be questioned. The drug abuse and trafficking situation, which is accompanied by violence and corruption, remains grim, but the International Narcotics Control Board is not convinced that valid alternatives to present policies have been found that would meaningfully reverse the situation. Worldwide efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking have to be continuous, balanced and in an internationally concerted manner in order for further positive results to be achieved. Drug abuse is closely linked to political, social and economic problems, and progress in these areas will undeniably contribute to the solution of the drug abuse problem. In a number of countries positive developments have been reported and these should be more carefully studied and discussed so that successful experiences in one country can be considered by others. In addition, the mass media are invited to analyse and report on such positive developments. 2. The efforts of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) are highly appreciated by the Board. During 1992, UNDCP cooperated with 97 countries through 130 regional and country-specific drug control programmes. In addition, the operational work programme for 1992 included 30 global projects supporting a broad range of drug control activities, such as specialized training, research and advisory services. These activities have been implemented by UNDCP in collaboration with various specialized agencies of the United Nations system, other international organizations and various non-governmental organizations.
    [Show full text]
  • Beverages of Latin America
    ANT4930: Food and Gastronomy in Latin America Beverages of Latin America [00:00:05.53] Beverages of Latin America for the court's food and gastronomy in Latin America. There have been many major contributions to beverages worldwide that have come from Latin America. Including one of the world's most widely consumed beverages Coca-Cola, the story is quite interesting. [00:00:23.86] There was a pharmacist in Atlanta by the name of John Pemberton who heard about Coca wine being made in France. Of course, in France, they were getting the Coca leaves from the hyaline Andes where the plant is native. So he got some Coca wine and instead took the alcohol out of it but left the cocaine in and began marketing the syrup. The syrup was Coca-Cola syrup and with the addition of carbonated water people could make the beverage Coca-Cola. [00:00:51.16] In 1983 the cocaine was removed from the beverage but the leaves were left in it as a flavoring agent, and to this day lives are still imported and make up part of the secret formula or so- called secret formula for Coca-Cola as a flavoring agent. Meanwhile tea from coca leaves has a really long history of consumption in its native habitat in the Andes. Long before European arrival, indigenous peoples there were drinking Coca tea. [00:01:17.38] It's very beneficial for adjusting to the high elevations and it's quite common to find it in markets in the Andes today. The impact of Coca-Cola on Latin America has been pretty widespread.
    [Show full text]
  • The Coca Debate: Headed Toward Polarization Or Common Ground?
    The Coca Debate: Headed toward Polarization or Common Ground? By Kathryn Ledebur and Coletta A. Youngers May 2008 In March 2008, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB, a United Nations agency) provoked outrage in Bolivia by calling for the elimination of traditional uses of coca, such as chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea. Although a 1961 anti-drug convention called for the elimination of all such uses of coca within 25 years, subsequent UN statements have recognized the legitimacy of traditional coca consumption. Dismayed by the lack of sensitivity to indigenous cultures, President Evo Morales’ government announced that it would formally request coca’s declassification as a narcotic drug, as it is presently listed in the 1961convention. Such a move would have no bearing on the status of cocaine under the conventions. Even though modifying the status of coca under the UN conventions would not affect provisions related to controlling cocaine and other illicit drugs, the obstacles to coca declassification remain formidable. Historically, UN member states have resisted changes to the established conventions and significant political support would need to be built among countries that have ratified the 1961 convention. Moreover, the Bolivian government is facing a delicate political situation domestically, which understandably diverts attention and resources from other, less immediate initiatives. In any case, changing coca’s status will be a difficult and lengthy endeavor, but it would represent an important step toward promoting respect for indigenous rights in Bolivia and other Andean countries. The INCB’s condemnation of the coca leaf comes at a time when the Bolivian government is making significant headway in meeting its international anti-drug obligations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Plight of Bolivian Coca Leaves: Bolivia's Quest for Decriminalization in the Face of Inconsistent International Legislation
    Washington University Global Studies Law Review Volume 13 Issue 3 The Legal Challenges of Globalization: A View from the Heartland (Symposium Edition) 2014 The Plight of Bolivian Coca Leaves: Bolivia's Quest for Decriminalization in the Face of Inconsistent International Legislation Abraham Kim Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_globalstudies Part of the Criminal Law Commons, International Law Commons, Legislation Commons, and the Transnational Law Commons Recommended Citation Abraham Kim, The Plight of Bolivian Coca Leaves: Bolivia's Quest for Decriminalization in the Face of Inconsistent International Legislation, 13 WASH. U. GLOBAL STUD. L. REV. 559 (2014), https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_globalstudies/vol13/iss3/13 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Global Studies Law Review by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE PLIGHT OF BOLIVIAN COCA LEAVES: BOLIVIA’S QUEST FOR DECRIMINALIZATION IN THE FACE OF INCONSISTENT INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION INTRODUCTION On March 12, 2012, at a United Nations narcotics control summit in Vienna, Austria, a man held up a green leaf in front of representatives from fifty-three nations.1 This man, Bolivian President Evo Morales, declared that his countrymen possessed an “ancestral right” to consume
    [Show full text]
  • Coca Myths T N Drugs and Democracy Programme I
    DEB ATE PAPERS JUNE 2009 no17 Coca Myths T N Drugs and Democracy Programme I TRANSNATIONAL TNI Briefing Series No 2009/1 CO N TE N T S AUTHORS • Editorial 3 Anthony Henman Pien Metaal • Myth One: Coca and Nutrition 4 EDITORS Martin Jelsma Box: Nutritional value of coca leaf - Harvard Study 7 Amira Armenta DESIGN • Myth Two: Coca and Alkaloids 7 Jan Abrahim Vos • Myth Three: Coca and Addiction 13 PRINTER Drukkerijj PrimaveraQuint • Myth Four: Amsterdam Coca and the Environment 16 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS • Myth Five: Coca and Society 20 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands) • Final Remarks 22 Foundation Open Society T Institute (FOSI) • Bibliography 23 N Drugs & Conflict Series I CONTACT Transnational Institute No. 1 Europe and Plan Colombia, April 2001 De Wittenstraat 25 1052 AK Amsterdam No. 2 In the Heat of the Debate. Fumigation and Conflict in Colombia, September 2001 Netherlands No. 3 Merging Wars. Afghanistan. Drugs and Terrorism, December Tel: -31-20-6626608 2001 Fax: -31-20-6757176 No. 4 A Failed Balance. Alternative Development and Eradication, [email protected] March 2002 www.tni.org/drugs No. 5 Breaking the Impasse. Polarisation & Paralysis in UN Drug www.ungassondrugs.org Control, July 2002 No. 6 Change of Course. An Agenda for Vienna, March 2003 The contents of this No. 7 Cross Purposes. Alternative Development and Conflict in Colombia, document can be quoted or June 2003 reproduced as long as the No. 8 Transcending Drug Control. Forward Operating Locations in Latin America, September 2003 source is mentioned. TNI No. 9 Drugs and Conflict in Burma (Myanmar). Dilemmas for Policy would appreciate receiving a Responses, December 2003 copy of the text in which this No.
    [Show full text]
  • The Seven Sisters of Sleep: Popular History of the Seven Prevailing
    & 4£- » 22101570028 f R • HRT t v “K.HW. ‘ \ ' ‘ ^r\ 4 • ' i | % Japanese smokers. THE SEVEN SISTERS OF POPULAR HISTORY OP THE SEVEN PREVAILING NARCOTICS OF THE WORLD. BY M. C. COOIE DIRECTOR OP THE METROPOLITAN SCHOLASTIC MUSEUM. “ 1 How many are you, then ? ’ said I. ' 0 Master, we are seven.’ ” Wordsworth. To ro-create lor man, whate’er Was lost in Paradise." Southev's TnAEAni. LONDON: JAMES BLACKWOOD, PATERNOSTER ROW. [ The right of Translation is reserved.] fcF /COo ; jliHfdnrn. TO ALL LOVERS OF TOBACCO, IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD, JUVENILE AND SENILE, MASCULINE AND FEMININE AND TO ALL' ABSTAINERS, VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY— TO ALL OPIOPHA5I, AT HOME AND ABROAD, WHETHER EXPERIENCING THE PLEASURES, OR PAINS OF THE SEDUCTIVE DRUG— TO ALL HASCHISCHANS, EAST AND WEST, IN WHATEVER FORM THEY CHOOSE TO WOO THE SPIRIT OF DREAMS— TO ALL BUYEROS, MALAYAN OR CHINESE, WHETHER THEIR SIRI-BOXES ARE FULL, OR EMPTY— TO ALL COQUEROS, WHITE OR SWARTHY, FROM THE BASE TO THE SUMMIT OF THE MIGHTY CORDILLERAS— TO ALL VOTARIES OF STRAMONIUM AND HENBANE, HIGHLANDER, OR LOWLANDER— AND TO ALL SWALLOWERS OF AMANITA, EITHER IN SIBERIA OR ELSEWHERE— THESE PAGES COME GREETING WITH THE BEST WISHES OF THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, J3ke ^fluikat 1 Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding ofMedicine PREFATORY PREMONITION. “A certain miller was much annoyed by a goblin, who used to come and set his mill at work at night when there was no grain to be , ground, greatly to the danger of the machinery, so he desired a person to watch. This person, however, always fell asleep, but once woke up from a nap time enough to see the mill in full operation, a blazing fire, and the goblin himself, a huge hairy being, sitting by the side thereof.
    [Show full text]
  • Usos De La Hoja De Coca Y Salud Publica
    INSTITUTO BOLIVIANO DE BIOLOGIA DE ALTURA DEPÓSITO LEGAL 4-1·227·97 DISEÑO Y DIAGRAMACIÓN: THIEL ART IHANNA BECERRA S JORGE BERTOCHI IMPRESiÓN: WEINBERG FOTOGRAFIA TAPA: JAIME CISNEROS FECHA: MARZO, 1997 INSTITUTO BOLIVIANO DE BIOLOGíA DE ALTURA • USOS DE LA HOJA DE COCA y SALUD PÚBLICA Editores: Mercedes Villena Cabrera Michel Sauvain Comité Editorial: Enrique Vargas Christian Moretti Mireille Hontebeyrie AGRADECIMIENTOS Los autores agradecen al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Francia, que con su aporte financiero ha hecho posible la ejecución de este trabajo de investigación. A la Embajada de Francia por auspiciar la presente publicación. .... Al mismo tiempo, a los pobladores de las comunidades de Taucachi y Ventilla, sin cuya participación como sujetos de estudio, este trabajo no hubiera sido posible. A la Lic. Sonia Paredes por la revisión gramatical del texto. LISOS DE LA HOlA DE COC~_A,-Y,-S_AL::..:U,-D_P-"U~BLI_C,,-A ~ _ íNDICE Página * Prólogo 7 * Introducción general 11 * Resumen General 13 * Historia del uso tradicional de la coca 15 * Localización de las antiguas zonas de producción de coca en el territorio boliviano 29 * Estudio químico y botánico de las diferentes formas de Erythroxylum coca varo coca cultivadas en Bolivia 34 * Absorción de los principios activos de la hoja de coca en el humano sano, durante el uso tradicional 47 * Coca y esfuerzo físico 51 * Efectos del consumo tradicional de hojas de coca sobre la respiración 62 * Efectos del acullicu de la coca en el metabolismo de la glucosa 72 * Uso ele la hoja de coca y hematología ~................ 78 * Ingesta Alimentaria en acullicadores y no acullicadores de dos comunidades rurales 83 * Las comunidades de nuestro estudio 87 * Leyendas sobre la aparición de la coca 89 * Bibliografía :....................
    [Show full text]
  • Carleton-Willard Villager
    CARLETON-WILLARD VILLAGER DECEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 32 k Number 4 Co-Editors’ Corner T HE C ARLE T ON -W ILLARD VILLAGER Published quarterly by and for the residents and hen the Editorial Board decided on the administration of Carleton-Willard Village, an ac- Wtheme Journeys for this issue of the credited continuing care retirement community at Villager it resonated with CWV residents. Sub- 100 Old Billerica Road, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730. missions arrived quickly, and in large numbers, soon after the theme was announced. As well as familiar authors’ names, we are, as always, CO-EDITORS, pro tem pleased to welcome new contributors. Mary Cowham, Alice Morrish, Articles ranged from the memory of a first flight when a cross country trip required two and Peggy McKibben fuel stops to the account of a slippery descent of Machu Picchu. One writer tells longingly of a EDITORIAL BOARD trip not taken while others remembered a family Christmas, a visit to the Oval Office, and a jaunt Edwin Cox • Henry Hoover to Pategonia. Some journeys were of the mind, Anne Schmalz • Mary E. Welch including a teacher’s guidance of eighth grade Cornelia (Neela) Zinsser English students on a literary quest, or the trac- ing of the work of several generations of a medi- cal family. There are, as well, some nods to the PRODUCTION STAFF season: holiday memories and winter features, Kathy Copeland including Connie Devereux’s cover “Winter Hush,” the first she has done for the Villager. Whether we circle the globe or take an “off- CIRCULATION site trip” on an Essex River boat or the jitney to Ruth Y.
    [Show full text]
  • Download/Debate13.Pdf ;2006 []
    Bauer Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines (2019) 5:20 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-019-0095-7 REVIEW Open Access Travel medicine, coca and cocaine: demystifying and rehabilitating Erythroxylum – a comprehensive review Irmgard Bauer Abstract Few travel health measures are as controversial as the use of coca leaves at high altitude; yet, there appears widespread ignorance among health professionals and the general public about coca, its origins as well as its interesting and often flamboyant history. Equally, the cultural and traditional significance to Andean people is not recognised. The coca leaves contain many alkaloids, one of which, cocaine, has gained notoriety as a narcotic, leading to the mistaken idea that coca equals cocaine. This article contrasts coca with cocaine in an attempt to explain the differences but also the reasons for this widespread misconception. By its very nature, there may never be scientific ‘proof’ that coca leaves do or do not work for travellers at altitude, but at least a solid knowledge of coca, and how it differs from cocaine, provides a platform for informed opinions and appropriate critical views on the current confusing and contradictory legal situation. Keywords: Coca leaf, Acute mountain sickness, Narcotics, Cocaine, Altitude, Travel health advice enthusiastic welcome in the industrial world of the nine- The use of the coca plant not only preserves the health teenth century. By necessity, this article includes a sum- of all who use it, but prolongs life to a very great old marised coverage of key aspects of cocaine to allow an age and enables the coca eaters to perform prodigies of objective assessment and the distinction between natural mental and physical labor.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of the Mineral Composition of Leaves and Infusions of Traditional and Herbal Teas
    Page 1 of 7 Research Article Comparison of the mineral composition of leaves and infusions of traditional and herbal teas Authors: Most research on teas has focused on organic composition and less attention has been given 1 Jana Olivier to the mineral composition. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the mineral Elize A. Symington2 Cornelia Z. Jonker1 compositions (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Al) of eight commonly consumed teas. Isaac T. Rampedi3 The teas included three traditional black or green teas (from Africa, China and Sri Lanka) Tersia S. van Eeden2 and five herbal teas – two from South America (maté and coca) and three from South Africa (rooibos, honeybush and Athrixia phylicoides). Analyses were conducted on five samples of Affiliations: 1Department of dry tea leaves of each of the teas and their infusions (steeping time: 6 min) using identical Environmental Sciences, techniques in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). It was University of South Africa, found that each tea has a unique mineral profile. Dry tea leaves and their respective infusions Roodepoort, South Africa also exhibited different mineral profiles. The tea infusions that contained relatively higher 2Department of Life and concentrations of beneficial minerals were maté, coca and Athrixia. High levels of aluminium Consumer Sciences, were found in the traditional black and green teas whilst rooibos was high in sodium. Although University of South Africa, teas are not rich sources of nutrients, the consumption of maté could contribute significantly to Roodepoort, South Africa dietary manganese requirements. 3Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Introduction University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water.1 During 2004, tea consumption reached three billion cups per day whilst 3.2 million tonnes of tea (Camellia sinensis) Correspondence to: 2 Jana Olivier were produced worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights from South America
    H.–G. & M. Hoprich & Family e–mail: [email protected] Jacob Rauschenfels–Gasse 8/10 SKYPE ID: HansMaggiHoprich A–7000 Eisenstadt Internet: <www.DMGint.de/index-EN.html> AUSTRIA Mobile (WhatsApp / Telegram): +43–664–5544021 Tel.: +43–2682–76021 TT – ‘Travelling Together’ (EXTRA) “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26) Dear Friends, End of March 2017 Here at last the report on our visit to South America, complete with colour photos. We apologize for not having been able to send it out earlier due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you so much for bearing with us. Please enjoy travelling with us to Chile Peru Brazil As we wrote down our memories and looked through the many photos, we re–lived it all! When you get them, we hope you will catch something of the amazement that we felt during our entire trip and may it be an inspiration to you… We would love to have your reactions and responses to it. Our next ‘TT’ (92) is coming soon. This comes with all our love, Hans–Georg, Margret & Annika DMG interpersonal e.V., Buchenauerhof 2, D–74889 Sinsheim, www.dmgint.de/about-us.html ENGLAND: SIM–DMG, acc no 60829838, Barclays Bank West Norwood, London SE27 9DW, Bank code 20–94–67 IBAN: GB14 BARC 2094 6760 8298 38, BIC: BARCGB22, or send cheques to: SIM–UK, The Treasurer, Wetheringsett Manor, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5QX, Please state purpose: „DMG P10260 Hoprich“ UNITED STATES: Bank transfers: SIM–DMG Account No. 650551381, Bank of America, Charlotte NC 28255, or send cheques to: SIM–USA Receipting department, P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Reconstituted Plant Material and Its Use for Packaging
    (19) TZZ¥_ __T (11) EP 3 122 941 B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: D21H 27/10 (2006.01) B65D 65/02 (2006.01) 06.03.2019 Bulletin 2019/10 B65D 65/38 (2006.01) D21H 17/02 (2006.01) (21) Application number: 15713709.2 (86) International application number: PCT/EP2015/056745 (22) Date of filing: 27.03.2015 (87) International publication number: WO 2015/144893 (01.10.2015 Gazette 2015/39) (54) RECONSTITUTED PLANT MATERIAL AND ITS USE FOR PACKAGING, WRAPPING AND FOOD APPLIANCES REKONSTITUIERTES PFLANZENMATERIAL UND DESSEN VERWENDUNG FÜR VERPACKUNGS-, EINWICKEL- UND SPEISEVORRICHTUNGEN MATÉRIAU VÉGÉTAL RECONSTITUÉ ET SON UTILISATION À DES FINS D’EMPAQUETAGE, D’EMBALLAGE ET POUR DES DISPOSITIFS À USAGE ALIMENTAIRE (84) Designated Contracting States: • ROUSSEAU, Cédric AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB F-72000 Le Mans (FR) GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO • PONS, Esther PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR F-33600 Pessac (FR) (30) Priority: 28.03.2014 US 201461971580 P (74) Representative: Jones Day Rechtsanwälte,Attorneys-at-Law, Patentanwälte (43) Date of publication of application: Prinzregentenstrasse 11 01.02.2017 Bulletin 2017/05 80538 München (DE) (73) Proprietor: SWM Luxembourg s.a.r.l. (56) References cited: 5326 Contern (LU) EP-A1- 0 500 931 EP-A1- 0 630 828 WO-A1-2011/094840 JP-A- 2001 104 153 (72) Inventors: US-A- 3 847 164 US-A- 3 860 012 • RAGOT, Philippe US-A- 4 182 349 US-A- 5 006 405 LU-5720 Aspelt (LU) US-A- 5 858 487 US-A1- 2003 079 846 • BARAT, Laetitia F-72100 Le Mans (FR) Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations.
    [Show full text]