"Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conflicts of Interest"
The food industry enjoys influential positions in surprising places.
The American Dietetic Association (ADA), the world's largest association of nutrition professionals,
is, in its own words, devoted to "improving the nation's health."
To that end, they promote a series of Nutrition Fact Sheets.
Who writes them?
Industry sources pay $20,000 per fact sheet to the ADA
and explicitly take part in writing the documents.
The ADA then promotes them through its scientific journal.
Some of these fact sheets are "What's a Mom to Do?: Healthy Eating Tips for Families"
sponsored and co-written by Wendy's;
"Lamb: The Essence of Nutrient Rich Flavor,"
sponsored by the lamb industry;
"Cocoa and Chocolate: Sweet News"
from the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition;
"Eggs" sponsored by the American Egg Board's Egg Nutrition Center;
"Responsible Drinking Choices" from the Distilled Spirits Council;
and "The Benefits of Chewing Gum" sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute.
I didn't know Wrigley's had a science institute...
In 2008, the ADA announced that the Coca-Cola Company had become an "ADA Partner"
through its corporate relations sponsorship program.
The ADA "provides partners a national platform via ADA events and programs"
"with prominent access to key influencers, thought leaders,"
"and decision makers in the nutrition marketplace."
The ADA's press release also pointed out that
"the Coca-Cola Company will share their research findings with ADA members"
"in forums such as professional meetings and scientific publications."
Did you know that there are no harmful effects of different Coca-cola beverages on rat testicles?!
Was that even a concern? Thou doth protest too much, methinks. (poking fun)
When the American Academy of Family Physicians was called out
on their proud new corporate relationship with Coke
to support patient education on healthy eating,
an executive vice-president of the Academy tried to quell protest
by explaining that this alliance was not without precedent.
They've had similar relationships with Pepsi and McDonald's for some time
reminiscent of similar types of relationships in the past...
The fact that the Academy of Family Physicians was also collaborating with Pepsi and McDonald's
didn't seem to placate critics.
So the exec continued, 'look even the American Dietetic Association has made a policy statement'
that "There are no good or bad foods."
Indeed, that's the ADA's official position.
"Classification of specific foods as good or bad is overly simplistic."
The ADA has taken a strong stand that there are no good foods or bad foods,
a position that the food industry has then exploited.
In its early years, the tobacco industry sounded a similar theme:
smoking per se was not bad, only "excess" smoking.
Everything in moderation...(sardonic)
Is this what family docs have been reduced to?
To justify an unholy alliance we hide behind what others say and do
and deny that there are actually unhealthy "bad" foods?
I wonder how much money the ADA receives from the Coca-Cola Company
and other food and beverage companies
to have come up with their "no good or bad foods" philosophy?
In 2012, the American Dietetic Association changed their name -
the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Did their policies change at all?
After all they now have "nutrition" in their title.
A landmark report last year from one of my favorite industry watchdogs,
found that they continue to take millions of dollars
in corporate sponsorship money every year from meat, processed junk, dairy,
soda, and candy bar companies.
And in return offer official educational seminars to teach dietitians what to say to their clients.
So when you hear the title "registered dietitian,'
this is the group they are registered with.