POSITION OF THE AMERICAN-DIETETIC-ASSOCIATION - FOOD AND NUTRITION MISINFORMATION

Food and nutrition experts, including ADA members, need to take an active role in helping consumers recognize misinformation. The challenge of dealing with food and nutrition misinformation is long-standing and persistent. However, qualified dietetics professionals, in partnership with other members of the health-care team, educators, and representatives of the food industry, can be a forceful voice against food and nutrition misinformation. Qualified dietetics professionals can positively shape the food choices of Americans by collaborating with the media to communicate balanced nutrition information to consumers and to counter misinformation; writing letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines to counter inaccurate and biased articles; calling television and radio shows that interview nutrition extremists and purveyors of misinformation to express their professional concerns; directing the news media and consumers to responsible sources of nutrition information; encouraging researchers to present their results with a balanced perspective; collaborating with the food industry to provide reliable nutrition information; and cooperating with other practitioners to expose emerging misinformation, misbeliefs, frauds, and quackery before they are widely accepted. ■ ADA Position adapted by the House of Delegates on October 16, 1994. The original ADA Position was approved by the House of Delegates on August 26, 1988. This position is in effect until December 2000. The American Dietetic Association authorizes republication of the position statement/support paper, in its entirety, provided full and proper credit is given. Requests to use portions of the position must be directed to ADA Headquarters at 800/877-1600, ext 4896. ■ Recognition is given to the following for their contributions:. Authors:. Judith M. Ashley, PhD, RD and William T. Jarvis, PhD. Reviewers:. C. Wayne Galloway, MD; Mary Abbott Hess, MS, RD; Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH; Nutrition Education for the Public dietetic practice group; Mindy Hermann-Zaidins, MBA, RD. © 1995 American Dietetic Association.