New research has shown that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest professional organization for nutritionists in the United States, is heavily influenced by corporate interests in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. The study, published in Public Health Nutrition, reveals that these corporations have a significant impact on the Academy’s policies and recommendations, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the U.S. nutrition industry.
The report, titled “Corporate Capture of the Nutrition Profession in the USA: The Case of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,” analyzed the Academy’s financial ties to processed food companies and pharmaceutical giants such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Abbott Nutrition. The authors of the study found that these corporate entities contribute millions of dollars to the Academy, which in turn influences its messaging, policies, and recommendations. The report highlights the problematic relationship between the Academy and the very corporations that profit from unhealthy food and drugs.
The implications of this corporate influence are alarming, especially when it comes to public health. The Academy’s recommendations and policies affect the way that Americans think about nutrition and the foods they choose to eat. The study suggests that this corporate influence may be a contributing factor to the current epidemic of chronic diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, that plague the United States.
But what does this mean for the average American? It means that the information we receive about nutrition and health is often biased and not based on scientific evidence. It means that the food industry has a significant influence over what we eat, and that our health may not be their top priority.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the influence of the food and pharmaceutical industries on nutrition policy and oversight. Studies have shown that the food industry spends billions of dollars on lobbying, advertising, and political campaigns, all of which are designed to influence policy and sway public opinion. This industry has a vested interest in promoting highly processed foods, even though they are often high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry has a vested interest in promoting drugs and medical treatments, even when they may not be necessary or beneficial. The industry spends billions of dollars on marketing, and many doctors and medical professionals receive incentives for prescribing certain drugs.
So, what can we do about this? The first step is to be aware of the influence that corporate entities have on our nutrition information. It’s important to be skeptical of any nutrition advice that comes from sources that may have a conflict of interest.
It’s also important to prioritize whole, organic, non-GMO foods whenever possible. Processed foods are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and they may contain harmful chemicals and additives. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help to promote good health and prevent chronic diseases.
But changing our diets is only part of the solution. We also need to demand greater transparency and accountability from the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as from organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. We need to push for more independent research on nutrition and health, and for policies that prioritize public health over corporate profits.
The influence of corporate entities on the nutrition industry is a serious concern that affects the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has been found to have significant financial ties to the very corporations that profit from unhealthy food and drugs. As consumers, it’s important to be aware of this influence and to demand greater transparency and accountability from the food and pharmaceutical industries. By prioritizing whole, organic, non-GMO foods and pushing for policies that prioritize public health, we can take steps towards a healthier and more equitable food system.
Is there a book on nutrition controlled by corporate interests?
Here are the ones I know of:
“Perilous Bounty: The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It”, by Tom Philpott.
Anything written by Marion Nestle
“Bite Back: People Taking on Corporate Food and Winning”, edited by Saru Jayaraman and Kathryn De Master
“Food Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know”, by Robert Paarlberg
“Foodopoly” by Wenonah Hauter
“Stuffed and Starved” by Raj Patel
“A Foodie’s Guide to Capitalism” by Eric Holt-Gimenez
“Unpacking School Lunch: Understanding the Hidden Politics of School Food” by Marcus B. Weaver-Hightower
“Shattering: Food, Politics, and the Loss of Genetic Diversity” by Cary Fowler & Pat Mooney
“Death by Food Pyramid: How Shoddy Science, Sketchy Politics and Shady Special Interests Have Ruined Our Health” by Denise Minger
“Formerly Known as Food: How the Industrial Food System Is Changing Our Minds, Bodies, and Culture” by Kristin Lawless
“The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Save Your Life and Our World” by John Robbins
“Junk Food Politics: How Beverage and Fast Food Industries Are Reshaping Emerging Economies” by Eduardo J. Gómez
“Concentration and Power in the Food System: Who Controls What We Eat?” by Philip H.
Howard
I’ve known this over 40 years. The Food Industry does the food research and passes it along to the nutrition schools. It supports the nutrition schools, which teach R.Ds. and other students. It is not being altruistic! its products are promoted.
It also sets some nutrient standards, which are killlers. Sodium have been set ultra high, so companies can sell products which should not be marketed. Sixty years ago. the standard was approximately, 500 mg daily. Today it is 2200 mg.
If I ate that much I would swell up like a balloon. My max intake is 500 mg. My father died from heart disease, because of the sodium in his foods. His body retained fluid and his blood became water-logged and could not pump it. His heart failed for lack of nutrients. His normal weight was 150 pounds and he would go up to 250 pounds. Then, he would be hospitalized and given diuretics. to bring his weight down to normal. After doing this a number of times, he died. He was given potassium after the procedure, but the body needed many other nutrients,.
Our government permits profit-seeking industrries to do their biased research, while it should be doing honest reasearch, which would benefit Americans.