British Nutrition Foundation: Difference between revisions
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The '''British Nutrition Foundation''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Charitable organization#Charity registration|registered charity]].<ref>{{EW charity|251681}}</ref><ref>{{Scottish charity|SC040061}}</ref> |
The '''British Nutrition Foundation''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Charitable organization#Charity registration|registered charity]].<ref>{{EW charity|251681}}</ref><ref>{{Scottish charity|SC040061}}</ref> |
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==Aims== |
==Aims== |
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According to its entry in the Charity Commission's register, the aims of the British Nutrition Foundation are: |
According to its entry in the Charity Commission's register, the aims of the British Nutrition Foundation are: |
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#to advance the education of the public, and those involved in the training and education of others, in nutrition; and |
#to advance the education of the public, and those involved in the training and education of others, in nutrition; and |
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#to advance the study of and research into nutrition for the public benefit, and to disseminate and publish the useful results of such research.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=251681&SubsidiaryNumber=0|title= Charity framework|publisher= [[Charity Commission for England and Wales]]|location= London|accessdate= 4 April 2011}}</ref> |
#to advance the study of and research into nutrition for the public benefit, and to disseminate and publish the useful results of such research.<ref name=CharityCommission>{{Cite web|url= http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=251681&SubsidiaryNumber=0|title= Charity framework|publisher= [[Charity Commission for England and Wales]]|location= London|accessdate= 4 April 2011}}</ref> |
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==Operations== |
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The BNF's team of nutrition scientists conduct academic reviews of published research on issues of diet and public health.<ref name=BNFScienceProg>{{cite web|title=Science Programme|url=http://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/values/who-we-are-what-we-do?start=2|publisher=British Nutrition Foundation|accessdate=23 February 2012}}</ref> They present their reports in the BNF's Nutrition Bulletin, as well as various Task Force reports, intended for both academic and lay dissemination<ref name=BNFScienceProg/>. The BNF also organises educational programmes designed to provide accessible information on diet and health for children and young people, aged 3-16+ years.<ref name=BNFEducation>{{cite web|title=Education Programme|url=http://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/values/who-we-are-what-we-do?start=1|publisher=British Nutrition Foundation|accessdate=23 February 2012}}</ref> The BNF's education website, foodafactoflife.org.uk, provides teaching and learning resources about food and nutrition.<ref name=BNFEducation/> |
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The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) is a not-for-profit charity. BNF exists to deliver authoritative, evidence-based information on food and nutrition in the context of health. |
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| ⚫ | The BNF receives funding for its projects from a variety of sources, including contracts with the European Commission, national government departments and agencies; food producers and manufacturers, retailers and food service companies; grant providing bodies, trusts and other charities.<ref name=BNFWhoWeAre>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/values/who-we-are-what-we-do|title= Who we are, what we do|year= 2009|publisher= British Nutrition Foundation|location= London|accessdate= 4 April 2011}}</ref> |
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The BNF's core team consists of nutrition scientists and education experts who are passionate about communicating accurate and accessible nutrition messages, which serve to educate and ultimately enable people to make informed diet and lifestyle choices. The team is led by Director General, Professor Judy Buttriss, a highly experienced nutrition scientist. |
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==Criticism== |
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BNF is independent and impartial. It is a valuable source of credible and accurate information and its work is governed by independent expert science. BNF does not endorse brands, products or services. |
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Concerns have been raised about the BNF's close relationship with the food industry.<ref name=BMJSpinwatch>{{Cite web|url=http://spinwatch.org/-articles-by-category-mainmenu-8/40-pr-industry/5353-independence-of-nutritional-information-the-british-nutrition-foundation|title= Independence of nutritional information?|publisher= [[British Medical Journal]]|location= London|accessdate= 23 February 2012}}</ref> The BNF receives funding from almost every large food manufacturer and distributor in the UK, including [[Tate and Lyle]], [[Nestle]], [[PepsiCo]], [[McDonalds]] and [[Sainsburys]]. |
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Furthermore, Paul Hebblethwaite, a member of the BNF board of trustees and its former chairman, has had "a distinguished career in the food industry working for a number of major companies including [[Cadbury-Schweppes]] and [[Chivers-Hartley]]".<ref name=BNFNews>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nutrition.org.uk/attachments/288_Issue%2047%20Spring%202009.pdf|title= BNF News|publisher= British Nutrition Foundation|location= London}}</ref> He is also chairman of the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Trade Association.<ref name=BNFNews/> Many other members of the organisation’s board of trustees and oversight committees are or have been employees of the food industry.<ref name=BNFReport09>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nutrition.org.uk/attachments/330_BNF%20Annual%20Report%202008%2009.pdf|title= Annual Report and Accounts|publisher= British Nutrition Foundation|location= London}}</ref> |
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BNF's income comes from contracts and donations from government, the European Commission, the food industry and other charities. |
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The BNF is open about its intention to shape UK Government policy on food,<ref name=BNFWhoWeAre/> and this has lead to concerns that it is serving as a lobbying group for the food industry which largely funds it<ref name=BMJSpinwatch/>. Derek Shrimpton, former director general, has been quoted as saying: "In the period I was there the foundation was solely taken up with defence actions for the industry." He said that the foundation had been constantly engaged in frustrating government committees aiming to recommend reductions in sugars, salt, and fats.<ref name=CannonG>{{cite book|last=Cannon|first=G|title=The Politics of Food|year=1997|publisher=Century|location=London|pages=356}}</ref> |
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==Science programme== |
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BNF's proactive forward-looking science programme informs and empowers health professionals through updating their knowledge. Its publications, including the highly respected Nutrition Bulletin, and Task Force reports on emerging science are read by health professionals across the disciplines, including nutritionists, dietitians, practice and community nurses, GPs, health visitors, academics, and students. |
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==Education programme== |
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BNF works on a wide range of exciting and innovative programmes designed to educate children and young people, aged 3-16+ years, with the vital knowledge and skills they need. The education group provides education professionals with stimulating and engaging resources and teaching tools. |
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==Communications== |
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BNF nutrition scientists are available to answer media enquiries and they provide reliable information and unbiased comment on all nutrition issues. Outcomes from the science programme are communicated through a series of high profile publications and events, supported by media relations activities, aimed at disseminating important nutrition messages to the broadest possible audience. |
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The Foundation has two high profile websites providing up-to-date, accurate and consistent information. The main website, nutrition.org.uk, has recently been relaunched with updated and extended content, improved navigation and a helpful search facility. The education website, foodafactoflife.org.uk, provides extensive teaching and learning resources about food and nutrition. |
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==Funding== |
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| ⚫ | BNF |
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However, concerns were raised in an article in the British Medical Journal (available [http://spinwatch.org/-articles-by-category-mainmenu-8/40-pr-industry/5353-independence-of-nutritional-information-the-british-nutrition-foundation here]) about the closeness of the links between the BNJ and its funders, which include Tate and Lyle, Unilever, Kraft and Nestle. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:37, 23 February 2012
| Abbreviation | BNF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1967 |
| Legal status | Registered charity |
| Purpose | Provision of information on nutrition science |
| Location |
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Region served | UK |
Membership | Most main UK food companies |
Director General | Prof Judith Buttriss |
Main organ | BNF Council |
| Website | www |
The British Nutrition Foundation is a British registered charity.[1][2]
History
It was founded in 1967 by Professor Alastair Frazer. In 1973 it held its first annual conference. It is based between Holborn and Chancery Lane tube stations. The BNF educational programme, Food - a fact of life, was launched in 1991.
Aims
According to its entry in the Charity Commission's register, the aims of the British Nutrition Foundation are:
- to advance the education of the public, and those involved in the training and education of others, in nutrition; and
- to advance the study of and research into nutrition for the public benefit, and to disseminate and publish the useful results of such research.[3]
Operations
The BNF's team of nutrition scientists conduct academic reviews of published research on issues of diet and public health.[4] They present their reports in the BNF's Nutrition Bulletin, as well as various Task Force reports, intended for both academic and lay dissemination[4]. The BNF also organises educational programmes designed to provide accessible information on diet and health for children and young people, aged 3-16+ years.[5] The BNF's education website, foodafactoflife.org.uk, provides teaching and learning resources about food and nutrition.[5]
The BNF receives funding for its projects from a variety of sources, including contracts with the European Commission, national government departments and agencies; food producers and manufacturers, retailers and food service companies; grant providing bodies, trusts and other charities.[6]
Criticism
Concerns have been raised about the BNF's close relationship with the food industry.[7] The BNF receives funding from almost every large food manufacturer and distributor in the UK, including Tate and Lyle, Nestle, PepsiCo, McDonalds and Sainsburys.
Furthermore, Paul Hebblethwaite, a member of the BNF board of trustees and its former chairman, has had "a distinguished career in the food industry working for a number of major companies including Cadbury-Schweppes and Chivers-Hartley".[8] He is also chairman of the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Trade Association.[8] Many other members of the organisation’s board of trustees and oversight committees are or have been employees of the food industry.[9]
The BNF is open about its intention to shape UK Government policy on food,[6] and this has lead to concerns that it is serving as a lobbying group for the food industry which largely funds it[7]. Derek Shrimpton, former director general, has been quoted as saying: "In the period I was there the foundation was solely taken up with defence actions for the industry." He said that the foundation had been constantly engaged in frustrating government committees aiming to recommend reductions in sugars, salt, and fats.[10]
References
- ^ "British Nutrition Foundation, registered charity no. 251681". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ "British Nutrition Foundation, Registered Charity no. SC040061". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
- ^ "Charity framework". London: Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Science Programme". British Nutrition Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Education Programme". British Nutrition Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Who we are, what we do". London: British Nutrition Foundation. 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Independence of nutritional information?". London: British Medical Journal. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ a b "BNF News" (PDF). London: British Nutrition Foundation.
- ^ "Annual Report and Accounts" (PDF). London: British Nutrition Foundation.
- ^ Cannon, G (1997). The Politics of Food. London: Century. p. 356.
External links
- Official website
- Food - a fact of life
- Nutrition Bulletin journal homepage
- British Nutrition Foundation at Spinprofiles.org