Thank you for Stepahnie Saul’s great piece of investigative journalism regarding the conflict of interest between Dr. David Allison, the incoming president of the of the Obesity Society, and his affiliations with the New York State Restaurant Association and other industry giants such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, and Frito-Lay. As a Holistic Health Counselor, I can’t imagine what harms Dr. Allison imagines could come as a result of New York City’s new rules about posting lists of calories next to menu items in chain restaurants, other then the chain restaurants losing business. Those chain restaurants now have an opportunity to change their menu items to healthier fare which will be good for all concerned.
Dr. Allison should step down or be removed from his impending role heading up the Obesity Society. The practice of accepting payment from organizations in direct opposition to your professional role immediately removes all credibility. Shame on Allison for trying to defend his corporate affiliations. I doubt highly it’s about his being flattered to act as a spokesman for these entities and more about the money lining his pockets.
Filed under: Letters Tagged: | Calories, Obesity, Restaurant food
