Can researchers engage safely with the food industry?

Researchers from The University of Queensland and University of Cambridge are exploring ways to help scientists better protect their work from the influence of the food industry. With rising obesity levels, and significant public interest in diet and health, the ethics surrounding research in this area is centre-stage. UQ School of Public Health nutrition expert Dr Katherine Cullerton said scientists have long been divided on the best way to manage industry involvement in diet and health research. "While some scientists feel that the food industry should never be involved, many take the view that achieving healthier diets among whole populations will require actions by the food industry - and for these actions to be effective it requires new research and access to food industry data," Dr Cullerton said. "As government funding for research is poorly available in some nations, more academics are looking to industries to contribute funding. "This is a particular challenge in low income countries which represent important, emerging markets for food companies." The study sought to build consensus on this issue by seeking the views of population health researchers and research stakeholders - such as funders, policy officers and journals -internationally. "Our study showed there was consensus on many of the principles designed to prevent or manage conflicts of interest, however researchers were divided on what is acceptable when it comes to accepting funding and the types of interactions with these companies," she said.