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American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics denounced as ‘pro-industry voice’
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When multinationals dictate their agendas to nutrition academies
According to a recent study, the prestigious American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) has accepted millions of dollars from multinationals in the pharmaceutical and agri-food sectors, of which it has become the real spokesperson.
Review Public Health Nutrition, published by the University of Cambridge, has recently taken an interest in the ” stranglehold » multinationals in the food or pharmaceutical sector on the profession of nutritionist in the United States. For this, researchers have analyzed the case of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), one of the largest associations of US health professionals.
The result is overwhelming. By compiling public and internal data at this academy covering the period from 2014 to 2020, we note that the DNA has accepted millions of dollars from pharmaceutical or agri-food multinationals like Nestlé or PepsiCo, Coke, Unilever or even Kellogg’s, and quietly ” discussed internal policies » with them for « meet their needs », in particular through public positions favoring them. So much so that the relations between the DNA and these multinationals are described as “symbiotic”.
Cherry on the cake, some of the DNA’s top executives themselves hold key positions in these industries and the AND has squarely invested funds in these companies by becoming a shareholder.
Negative impacts on public health around the world
Although she has changed some of its internal policies to deal with corporate interference and funding », l’AND continue de « advancing corporate interests in a number of ways and serves as the voice of its sponsors “. As the researchers summarize: these companies help the DNA with financial contributions [puis] the AND acts as a pro-industry voice in some political places, and takes public positions that conflict with its mission to improve global health “which, in the end, ” might negatively impact the public health agenda in the United States and around the world. »
This particularly striking example is reminiscent of certain practices that can also be observed in France, not only with major bodies aiming to define recommendations, but also with patient associations that team up with the industry to the point of becoming its spearheads.
The authors of this study point out, moreover, that the case of DNA presents « striking similarities “with other cases of institutions” captured by companies »and that these dangerous liaisons are generally only regulated (as has been the case for doctors and the pharmaceutical industry) by means of laws or regulations. firmly enforced ruleslaws that do not yet exist in the United States, to govern relations between dietitians, nutritionists and manufacturers.
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