industry influence
The sugar, salt, beef, pork, egg (also here and here) poultry, fish, juice (also here and here) and dairy industries have been accused of downplaying the risks of their products. Some of this may because of the “funding effect,” which describes the skewing of results favorable to research funders. Agribusiness and the US Department of Agriculture have been accommodating to corporate influence, perhaps even to the extent of purposefully ignoring scientific evidence. Unlike countries that rely on health rather than agriculture professionals to create their dietary guidelines, the USDA has an inherent conflict of interest to promote agricultural products that may have unduly influenced the U.S. guidelines over the past 30 years.
Legislation supporting nutrition education has come under attack from—of all quarters—the medical profession. The balance of evidence suggests that a plant based diet is healthiest, but this advice is often met with and overcome by the “tomato effect” and other resistance from medical groups.
Topic summary contributed by Stephanie Davidson
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Watch videos about industry influence
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Is Pomegranate Juice That Wonderful?Food companies (such as POM Wonderful) invoke the First Amendment to defend false and unsubstantiated health claims.
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Alzheimer’s and Apple JuicePilot study published on whether apple juice could affect the cognitive performance, day-to-day functioning, mood, or behavior of Alzheimer's patients.
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Amyloid and Apple JuiceGinger and apple juice appear to protect human nerve cells from the neurotoxic Alzheimer's plaque protein amyloid Beta in a petri dish.
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Nutrition Bill Doctored in the California SenateCalifornia Senate Bill 380 to require nutrition education for physicians was passed, but not before it was gutted.
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California Medical Association Tries to Kill Nutrition BillCalifornia State Senator Mark Wyland struggles between his conscience and his campaign contributor in deciding whether or not to vote for a bill that would require physicians to learn nutrition.
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Dietary Guidelines: Pushback From the Sugar, Salt, and Meat IndustriesThe Sugar Association, Salt Institute, and American Meat Institute all railed against the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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New Dietary Guidelines for AmericansFollowing the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to "shift food intake patterns to a more plant-based diet," the latest USDA guidelines include a vegan adaptation.
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Dietary Guidelines: Advisory Committee Conflicts of InterestThe USDA Dietary Guidelines Committee has been made of up individuals funded by McDonald's, Coca Cola, the Sugar Association, the American Meat Institute, candy bar companies, and the egg and dairy..
