"Food and Nutrition Information You Can Trust"

I renewed my student membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy). I did not make this decision lightly.

I recently joined a group of "Progressive Nutritionists," started by members of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition dietetic practice group. These RDs are fed up with the company the Academy keeps. Partners include the following:

• ARAMARK - a food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel company

• The Coca-Cola Company - no explanation needed
• Moderation Nation - a national consumer education campaign sponsored by the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition
• National Dairy Council - providing science-based nutrition information to the public on behalf of dairy farmers

The Premier Sponsors line-up includes General Mills, Kellogg Company, Mars, Inc., SOYJOY, PepsiCo, Truvia, and Unilever (owner of such brands as Ben and Jerry's, Hellman's, Skippy, and SlimFast), as well as two companies that sell various nutritional products.

How credible does the nutrition advice from an organization that takes money from these companies seem to you?


Revised 8/4/12.