Did you hear the story of how one little, bitty cheese slice crumbled the credibility of a nutrition organization 75,000 dietitians strong?
No? Well, I’m going to tell you and then I’m going to ask you to sign this petition which aims to get this whole mess fixed up.
How one little cheese slide rocked the nutrition world
My professional association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) – is the organization known for being THE NUTRITION EXPERTS. A few days ago they announced a new partnership with Kraft foods. This would allow AND’s “Kids Eat Right” logo on Kraft singles packages.
It’s bad enough that they chose Kraft singles, not even real cheese but a ‘cheese product,’ as the landing point for their Kids Eat Right logo. Many feel that any food would have been ill-advised.
Registered dietitians can’t be seen as for sale.
The Academy has denied this is an endorsement of any kind. However, the collective groan heard ’round the world is a sure sign that is exactly what it looks like. As stated in the Change.org letter (written by 3 highly respected RDNs and members of AND), “A logo on a product label is an endorsement, an alignment, and recognition of a paid relationship.”
Essentially, AND sold out its entire membership — the very people it is bound to represent.
Repeal the seal.
I’m hopeful that through the Change.org petition, cleverly called ‘repeal the seal,’ we will force AND to re-think its position. We’d like them to re-think not just this partnership with Kraft, but on corporate sponsorship altogether. The media featured the Kraft Cheese hullabaloo quite negatively, including the The Daily Show, Huffington Post, and ABC News.
Let’s keep it going! Sign the petition. Tell your friends. Use the #repealtheseal hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Feel outrage. Because credibility should not be for sale, and at the moment that is what it feels like to nutrition professionals all over.
Thanks in advance!
No…no and NO!!! Hoping all the signatures can reverse this travesty! This certainly is ill advised and will result in the loss of credibility. So sad…money once again, ahead for health and truthfulness.
I agree! Let’s keep talking about it until it changes.
Well said. I’m still shaking my head at this whole fiasco. We have thousands of signatures and I’m confident the Academy will reconsider this ill-advised partnership.
I sure hope it does. I’m doing what I can to spread the word! PS I think it’s funny I’m typing this to you while watching Liz teach us how to make mini cheesecakes on the Accent Health show!