Report Describes Sugar Industry Efforts to Obscure Science

The Union of Concerned Scientists’ Center for Science and Democracy has
published a report describing how companies with an interest in promoting
sugar consumption have hidden scientific evidence that reportedly reveals
sugar to be a serious health threat. Goldman et al., “Added Sugar, Subtracted
Science: How Industry Obscures Science and Undermines Public Health Policy
on Sugar,” June 2014. Likening sugar interests to the tobacco industry, the
report accuses companies of (i) attacking science, including burying data
and threatening funding to the World Health Organization; (ii) spreading
misinformation through research institutes, trade associations and front
groups; (iii) deploying industry scientists to conduct studies and participate in
scientific discussions; (iv) influencing academia by paying academic scientists
to persuade other scientists of their positions; and (v) undermining policy
through lobbying and supporting political candidates.

The report urges the media to call out sugar interests’ misrepresentations of
science and encourages scientists to disclose all real or perceived conflicts
of interest. It also advocates action from the U.S. surgeon general, National
Prevention Council, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Department of
Agriculture.

Issue 529