Table 3 Mechanisms used by the sample of food industry actors to shape the evidence base on diet- and public health- related issues in Australia
Australian Food and Grocery Council | Coca Cola | McDonald’s | Nestle | Woolworths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mechanisms | Examples identified during data collection | ||||
Fund research, including through academics, ghost writers, own research institutions and front groups | Promotion (industry website, Twitter, etc.) of research from a front group: “This review was commissioned and paid for by the Australian Breakfast Cereal Manufacturers Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.” (A40) | Not identified | Not identified | “[The] Nestle Research Center (NRC) (…) 250 scientists publish some 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications each year across areas including nutrition and health, public nutrition and food consumer interaction.”(A257) | Not identified |
Pay scientists as advisers, consultants or spokespersons | Not identified | “Coca-Cola Australia has an advisory council of experts in the area of obesity, public health and nutrition, who provide advice and counsel to the Company” (A139) | Not identified | Not identified | Not identified |
Cite research that has been funded (directly or indirectly, through third parties) by the industry | AFGC submission to the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating: references research funded by the food industry (or with authors that have declared interests with the food industry): Dairy Australia, Australian Beverages Council, Coca Cola, Meat and Livestock Australia. (A39) | “While they contribute minimal kilojoules to the diet, people question the role of diet soft drinks when managing their weight. […] A new study funded by the American Beverage Association and published in the journal Obesity may just have provided evidence to suggest otherwise.” (A134) | Not identified | “[A] recent study carried out by Zurich’s ETH University and Nestle (…) showed that serving school-age children a greater variety of vegetables increased the quantity they chose to consume.” (A257) | Not identified |
Disseminate and use non-peer reviewed or unpublished evidence | Not identified | 'Infographics on sweeteners on industry websites contain evidence that has not been peer reviewed (e.g., Calorie Control Council) (A135) | Not identified | Nestle Australia Response to Australian Dietary Guidelines - Incorporating the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating - Draft for Public Consultation (2012) includes information drawn from a poster presentation (A215, A268) | Not identified |
Participate in and host scientific events | Dietitians Association of Australia 31st National Conference - Sponsored Breakfast Seminars: Healthier Australia Commitment (A38) | 2014 Nutrition Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting - session sponsored by Coca Cola - “Do small changes make a big difference? Insights into weight loss maintenance research.” – Presented by: Professor James Hill, Denver University, USA (A133) | Dietitians Association of Australia 31st National Conference - Exhibitors: McDonald’s Australia | Dietitians Association of Australia 31st National Conference - Sponsored Breakfast Seminars: Nestle Corporate: “Unlocking the facts on kid’s snack habits” (A217) | Not identified |
Provide industry-sponsored education materials | “Details of planned activities for the Dietary Guidelines Work Program - Communication and Implementation Plan 2012: AFGC (…) indicated that they will have some of their own educations initiatives developed by May 2012” (A49) | Not identified | McDonald’s junior development basketball programs in partnership with Basketball Victoria: School resources - lessons plan (A175) | Nestle Healthy Active Kids “with resources for teachers […]. As part of the program [Nestle] distributed 80,000 Kids Nutrition Plates, 50,000 Healthy Active Kids booklets and as a result was able to reach 5,000 teachers and 250,000 school children.” (A224) | Not identified |