The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) is the organization that represents the largest group of nutrition-related health professionals in the country. Although I am a registered dietitian, I am not a member of AND for a variety of reasons, primarily due to their continued collaborations with junk and processed food companies.
This week yet another snafu as reported in the New York Times. This time AND allowed Kraft to put their “Kids Eat Right” label, on Kraft Singles, a highly processed “cheese like” food. Although AND claims it is not an endorsement, but rather a way of getting the word out about their consumer website, KidsEatRight.org, Kraft clearly thinks that it is.
On Marion Nestle’s blog, Food Politics, she cites ABC News as saying that “Kraft paid the advertiser — the academy — an undisclosed amount to place the logo.” Taking money from Kraft to use a logo that insinuates a food is healthy is just unbelievable, especially considering their mission, which states: “The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.” Clearly, it is not.
