More Annual Meeting Images
In addition to the food company booths, below are images of: 1) trade groups at the national meeting, 2) promotional emails sent before and after the meeting, 3) handouts from vendors, and 4) food booths from several state dietetic association meetings.
Read the full report: And Now a Word From Our Sponsors.
Trade Booths at National Expo
International Food Information Council Foundation
Sure looks and sounds impressive. But you can't tell from the booth that this group is funded by the junk food and pesticide companies, to spin the science in their favor. It's called being a front group.
The Sugar Association
The organization that lobbies on behalf of sugar producers was at a nutrition conference.
The United Soybean Board
Lots of spin here about how healthy soy is for you, and plenty of green-washing to deflect any criticism over genetically-engineered soy crops.
National Cattleman's Beef Association
'You gotta love lean beef' because that's the nutrition spin, along with 'one powerful protein', never mind zero fiber, higher risk of colon cancer, etc.
Corn Refiners Assocation promoting HFCS
Tweet by Andy Bellatti: Because when 'nutrition' comes to mind, we all think 'high fructose corn syrup', right?
National Confectioners Association
The lobbying group for the nation's candy makers.
(Photo by Andy Bellatti.)
Conference Promotional Emails
Frito-Lay pre-event promo
The nation's largest snack-food maker promoted a quiz game they called Chip Myth Challenge, to disabuse RDs of the notion that chips are junk food.
General Mills post-event promo
The maker of sugary cereals ensuring RDs keep 'whole grain' in their mind when they think of General Mills, instead of marketing junk food to children.
General Mills post-event promo
More health-washing from General Mills.
General Mills post-event survey results
It's unclear exactly how this survey was conducted or why it even matters.
Hershey's pre-event promo
Yes, Hershey's really has a 'Center for Health and Nutrition' and makes sure RDs knows all about it, to distract away from health concerns about its products.
Walmart pre-event promo
Walmart's 'Great For You' green man icon -- now confusing consumers nationwide.
Kellogg's pre-event promo
The maker of Frosted Flakes trying to build excitement, for what, who knows?
McNeil's Nectress pre-event promo
Not sure why 'from the maker of Splenda' would be a selling point.
Conference Expo Handouts
American Beverage Association promo
Quite a happy bunch of delivery folks. Must be all those reduced calories.
Frito-Lay healthwashing
Who knew that junk food was so good for you?
Frito-Lay greenwashing
While you munch away on salty snacks, rest assured you're saving the environment.
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
This is the cover page for a collection of handouts. If you just put the words 'science' and 'institute' right next to your otherwise unhealthy brand name, problem solved.
Grocery Manufacturer Assocation HFCS packet
The nation's lobbying group for food manufacturers promoting its very own educational materials on high-fructose corn syrup. I am sure it's all very objective information.
Hersheys 100-calories promo
Hershey's had a plethora of handouts, all trying to spin candy as healthy.
National Confectioners Association: Treat Right
Get it? The Academy's tag line is 'Eat Right.' Funny the companies don't market or sell these products in such tiny serving sizes. 'Chewing gum, as desired'?
National Dairy Council sessions promo
The National Dairy Council, as an Academy partner sponsored several sessions and made sure RDs knew about them with this handout. Note the continuing education units available.
PepsiCo careers
'Make PepsiCo a step on your career path?' If your career path is to promote disease, maybe. This is the worst kind of normalizing, that this is an acceptable job for an RD.
Soda lobby spinning science
This handout from the American Beverage Association is meant to confuse RDs on the connection between soft drinks and obesity. But what do lobbyists know about science?
PespiCo: meeting your hydration needs
Thanks, PepsiCo for busting the myth that 'plain water is superior.' What was Mother Nature thinking?
PepsiCo sweeteners
More science spin from a soda-maker.
Frito-Lay salty foods comparison
Funny how all the comparisons are to other processed foods.
Coca-Cola aspartame brochure
Note the endorsement from the American Dietetic Association (the Academy's former name).
Coca-Cola sweetener brochure
Because who better to educate RDs on sweeteners than Coke?
State-level Expo Booths
Egg Nutrition Center at Illinois Dietetic Association Expo
McDonald's at Illinois Dietetic Association Event
McDonald's booth at California Dietetic Association Expo
Mcdonald's yogurt at California Dietetic Association Expo
McDonald's booth at California Dietetic Association Expo
Nestle at Iowa Dietetic Association Expo
National Cattleman's Beef Association at Iowa Dietetic Association Expo
Sponsors at Illinois Dietetic Association Event