‘The sugar industry buys scientists for a rosier picture’ | Inland

Foodwatch focuses mainly on the Knowledge Center for Sugar and Food (KSV) and nine scientists involved in that center. KSV is financed by the Cosun Beet Company, the former Suiker Unie, one of the major players in the European sugar industry.

According to Foodwatch, the research shows that in studies, interviews, in YouTube videos and at conferences, the scientists involved are expressing opinions that are in line with the interests of the sugar industry and are at odds with insights about sugar from leading international scientists and the World Health Organization. . For example, KSV-funded scientists emphasize that eating sugar in itself does not make people fat, but that overeating and too little exercise is the problem in general, Foodwatch said. Or they produce research showing that sugar is not physically addictive.

Vet

Another strategy, according to Foodwatch, is to emphasize the harmfulness of fat, so that attention is diverted from sugar. “While the WHO says very clearly that we should all use less sugars,” says a spokeswoman for the organization. According to the activist ‘food watchdog’, there is “selling out science.” The spokeswoman says it is difficult to prove influencing science hard. “That’s because it can be so subtle. But when financing is involved, it leads to influence, ”she says.

According to the authors of the report, various scientists are also not transparent enough about their links with the sugar industry. According to Foodwatch, various scientists who play a role in the food knowledge center have also been involved in international lobby organizations. The food watchdog includes, for example, the European branch of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) and the World Sugar Research Organization (WSRO), because these organizations are supported by large companies in the sector.

‘Tendentious’

KSV calls the Foodwatch story “suggestive and biased.” The center suspects that Foodwatch “wants to sideline the sugar sector in the discussions about sugar” and states that Foodwatch only finds studies independent if they are negative about sugar. “Our information about sugar is correct. And we like to hear substantive criticism. But we cannot do anything with mere suspicion, ”says KSV.

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