Oncology Nutrition

ADA Criticism by Alliance for Natural Health

A new negative online campaign containing a barrage of accusations toward ADA has recently been shared with members via DPG listservs. The Alliance for Natural Health is behind this attack and makes claims about ADA that are not only erroneous, they are ridiculous. ANH has criticized ADA in the past - and will likely do so in the future - for our alleged efforts to suppress "nutritionists" from earning a living. ANH's one sided and misleading portrayal of ADA has a hidden agenda. The group is dedicated to undermining ADA's licensure efforts and the RD credential, with little concern for the welfare of the public. Their allegations are not true, and we have said so many times.

ADA has made a decision not to reply to every wild accusation that is leveled against the Association, especially on the Internet. Last May, then President Judith C. Rodriguez, PhD, RD, FADA, LDN, sent a similar communication to members:

"ADA's position as the world's leading organization of food and nutrition professionals occasionally results in ADA becoming a target for criticism. This is nothing to be surprised about. Given the wide range of important food and nutrition issues facing the Association, our members and our country, it would be unrealistic to expect 100-percent agreement on every issue and stance.

Some have asked why ADA does not always issue responses to some of the extreme criticisms we receive. I am happy to explain why: We are an Association of professionals in a field based on science and evidence. We are always ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with individuals and groups with whom we disagree.

Levelheaded criticism is different from deliberate misinformation, which ADA and many other credible organizations are occasionally subjected to. Blogs and other communications that contain falsehoods about our Association are easily written and - with a click on a keyboard - posted and re-posted the world over. I want to assure members that ADA will not be distracted by engaging in point-by-point rebuttals of disparaging untruths and insults every time they appear on the Internet. ADA will not issue formal responses to ill-informed attacks or outright lies. Such responses would only lend credibility to erroneous arguments and baseless charges and elevate their authors. This is the intent of our detractors.

Sometimes, unfortunately, the re-posting of falsehoods is conducted (unintentionally, I am certain) by ADA members; I encourage all members to remember that "loud" does not equal "accurate," not to believe all that you read, and to make sure the information that you circulate is accurate. Our clients, patients, colleagues, fellow members and the general public look to us for reliable facts. Get information from every source you can - but please make every effort to be sure it is true before passing it along. 

ADA's efforts on behalf of the dietetics profession and our members are and will continue to be our priority."

Judith C. Rodriguez, PhD, RD, LDN, FADA

President, 2010-2011