And Now a Word from Our Sponsors Australian Edition
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And Now a Word From Our Sponsors Australian Edition Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? Michele Simon FEBRUARY 2015 Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? 2 INTRODUCTION Just as most western nations do, due to its myriad conflicts with the junk Australia suffers significantly from diet- food industry.4 For example, dietitians related chronic diseases. Heart disease can earn continuing education credits is the leading cause of death, killing one from Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, and at Australian every 12 minutes.1 Diabetes their annual meeting, attend sponsored is also a serious health concern and sessions by Nestlé and lobbyists for has been on the rise in recent years, high fructose corn syrup. This sort according to the Australian government.2 of cozy relationship with the same Three out of five people who suffer from companies that are contributing to the diabetes also suffer from heart disease. very problems dietitians are supposed to Especially troubling is how the indigenous help prevent seriously undermines that population of Australia suffers from profession’s credibility. diabetes at three times the rate of the Sadly, a very similar situation exists general population.3 Given these serious within Australia’s dietetic profession. The public health problems, all preventable Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), through healthy eating, it behooves the representing more than 5,000 members, nation’s leading nutrition professionals to claims to be “the leader in nutrition for be honest with the Australian people. better food, better health and wellbeing The 2013 report, “And Now a Word for all.”5 But that can’t be true when from Our Sponsors,” also from Eat Drink the organization is compromised by Politics, found that the Academy of serious conflicts of interest, which cast Nutrition and Dietetics in the United doubt on the organizations’ dietary States has a serious credibility problem recommendations and policy positions. Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? 3 CORPORATE SPONSORS DAA’s Partners Influence association,” distracting the public from Nutrition Messages the industry’s multi-billion-dollar efforts to maximize sales of products that promote The concept of “strategic philanthropy” poor nutrition and obesity.6 was first honed by the tobacco industry, which curried favor with worthy causes Meat and Livestock Australia to boost its reputation. The food industry has similarly sought to cover up its health- Meat and damaging practices through sponsorships Livestock of professional groups in exchange for Australia is positive PR. Here is how the U.S.-based a producer Center for Science in the Public Interest owned describes such “philanthro-marketing” in company that provides marketing relation to the soda industry: and research to the meat industry To combat the growing public-health- about the alleged health benefits of perception crisis, leading soda producers eating meat.7 In an especially troubling have systematically cultivated financial example of conflict of interest, DAA partnerships with respected health and program partners directly support medical organizations. The companies use oversight and monitoring of important those relationships to foster “innocence by DAA initiatives. For example, Meat DAA Corporate Partners include8 According to its 2013 annual report, DAA received $661,000 from corporate sponsors in 2013, down slightly from $700,000 in 2012.9 DAA depends on its corporate partners for roughly 15 percent of its annual budget,10 and sponsorship income is the third largest source of revenue after membership dues and conference fees. Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? 4 and Livestock Australia is a sponsor of Nestlé proudly proclaims to be the the DAA program, Australia’s Healthy biggest employer of dietitians in Weight Week. In helping consumers with Australia. The company boasts it has “Understanding Food Packaging”, the worked with their dietitians to modify recommendations for eating healthier 70 percent of their portfolio to meet somehow do not include consuming less new nutritional criteria. However they meat or any meat alternatives.11 fail to state what that new criteria is, beyond vaguely saying their new Also Healthy Weight Week,12 promotes a system, “assesses a product’s nutritional free downloadable meat-centric recipe contribution, considering its role in a book. In the resource, dietitian Veronique balanced diet, its ingredients (including Droulez opines, “Protein-rich foods, such fat, added sugar, calcium and wholegrain) as beef and lamb provide important and the serving size usually consumed, nutrients necessary for good health.”13 either by adults or children.”16 This is just one example of how DAA- endorsed materials, which purport to be In the fall of 2014, DAA partnered with written by objective scientific experts, Nestlé in their “Nestlé Choose Wellness instead serve as promotional material for Roadshow”, which traveled across six sponsors who gain financially. cities in Australia promoting allegedly healthy eating. The tour proudly Nestlé proclaimed that, “Nestlé products are the ideal partners to help you invite Corporate partners more fresh food into your diet.”17 These sponsored many DAA products include MILO (a chocolate programs in 2014. For milk mix) with 12g of sugar per serving18 example, the Nestlé Nutrition (about 2.5 teaspoons) and Maggi Institute, in order to “build the next noodles (similar to Top Ramen) with 14 generation of nutrition researchers,” funds 880 mg of sodium per serving,19 more the DAA “Emerging Researcher Award.” It’s than one-half the daily “Suggested unlikely these awards are given to answer Dietary Target”.20 such pressing questions as: what would be The 5 Star Health Rating is a government the positive impact on Australian’s health initiative that creates a labeling system if Nestlé stopped marketing its candy for food products to help better inform and other sugary products to children? consumers about what they’re eating. Nor would the Nestlé Nutrition Institute The DAA and their corporate sponsor give money to study the superiority of Nestlé both support this program; the breastfeeding over formula for infant DAA’s logo appears on a flyer that Nestlé health, given the company’s financial stake created to explain the program; this in that market. The Australian press called flyer is available for DAA members to out Nestlé’s controversial role in promoting download from the DAA website. Food formula and undermining breastfeeding as companies can opt into the voluntary recently as 201315 and yet the DAA happily program. The Australian government takes their money. Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? 5 uses an algorithm to determine the Dairy Australia ratings, measuring how much energy, Through its Nutrition saturate fat, sugars, sodium, protein, Program, Dairy fiber, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and/or Australia seeks to 21 legumes is in each serving. Nestlé promote the evidence explains the exemptions for certain food based health and nutritional benefits products, such as candy, which according associated with dairy foods.27 The Good to Nestlé, have too small of package sizes Health Recipe Book by Dairy Australia is 22 for this rating system. How can DAA “independently reviewed” by the DAA, partner with a company whose marketing which intends the booklet be “given to messages stand in direct contrast to the you by your healthcare professional as one DAA mission and public health, such as: part of your overall care plan.”28 The book • “Don’t deprive yourself - banning your includes the dubious nutrition advice that favorite foods such as cakes, pizza or health needs are met by a variety of factors beer will only make you crave them more. including, “enjoying milk, yogurt, cheese Instead cut down on treats to once or – preferably reduced-fat varieties…” The twice a week.”23 book also features dairy products that can • Defining health and wellness as: “play an important role in the management “Encouraging responsible nutrition and of your weight, blood cholesterol, blood 29 moderation and variety in food habits. pressure, osteoporosis, and diabetes.” There is no such thing as bad food.”24 • A flagship product, Nesquik, which has Egg Nutrition Council 25g of sugar when served with milk.25 The Egg Nutrition • About its Kit Kats products: “Good to Council claims to be remember. In moderation chocolate can an independent group be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and of health and nutrition active lifestyle.”26 experts who provide unbiased and Dairy Campaign Wins Dietitian DAA Award At its annual meeting in May 2104, the DAA issued its President’s Award to Kim Tikellis, dietitian and nutrition manager at dairy giant Fonterra. According to DAA, she “won the award for the innovative campaign which has empowered 2,000 Fonterra employees around Australia to deliver healthy food messages to everybody, anywhere, everyday, especially in relation to the core dairy food group.”30 Tikellis created a nutrition education campaign that, “grew employees’ knowledge of dairy so that all can be dairy advocates.” The DAA praised Tikellis’ campaign for its potential to increase dairy consumption in Australia. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence that Fonterra has been a DAA sponsor.31 Is the Dietitians Association of Australia in the Pocket of Big Food? 6 accurate information to the Australian logic: “Research