Dr Carrie Ruxton RD in the news.

Dr Carrie Ruxton RD is a very high profile UK dietitian. I have been highly critical of the British Dietetic Association, and some of it’s senior dietitians, including Carrie. The standard response from dietitians to any criticism on social media is to block or ban. Even a straight question regarding diet, that does not fit the well worn script, is enough to earn an exit visa. Although Carrie blocked me on twitter some months ago, I was surprised to see yesterday, I had been unblocked. Also, Carrie is the only dietitian to visit this blog, using her own name, to counter my posts and comments, I respect her for that. Clearly Carrie is a very busy woman, and I am but a minnow in a very big pond, the last place she needed to defend herself, was on this blog. It is very rare a medical professional contacts me publicly, although more than a few contact me privately. That being said, she has been defending herself rigorously of late.

Two articles have appeared in UK newspapers recently, the Times and the Herald, regarding conflicts of interest. Read full article in Herald here.

“Food Standards Scotland is under pressure over a leading member’s financial links to the confectionery and fizzy drinks industries. Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian who sits on the board of the government's food regulator, was paid by chocolate maker Ferrero and chaired a panel event for the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA). She also cast doubt on a sugar tax weeks after FSS called on the Government to consider the move in a bid to help the nation’s health. David Miller, a Professor of Sociology at Bath University and co-founder of the public interest campaigning organisation Spinwatch, said: “FSS should tighten up its procedures and dispense with the services of those with conflicts of interest.”

Carrie responded read full reply here.

“A few media outlets have recently printed stories about my freelance activities which have the potential to mislead on my integrity and transparency. It could be interpreted from these stories that I am not fit to be a member of the Food Standards Scotland Board because I also undertake consultancy work. On the contrary, my long-term and broad experience of the food industry – working with nearly 100 different companies and trade bodies since 2004 – as well as my track record in the public sector writing obesity strategies and audits, have given me the knowledge to serve effectively on the Food Standards Scotland Board since April 2015.”

Let’s be clear, no one has suggested Carrie is not qualified to advise on matters concerning diet. Carrie has been very open, regarding her financial connections to food companies, but where does the line get drawn? I suspect very few of her connections promote a whole fresh food lifestyle. All too often we have high profile BDA dietitians, advising us in the media, on the correct diet. Very often these people are heavily overweight, that cannot be said of the slim Carrie. I have a sneaking suspicion, Carrie’s diet is very close to mine. A diet based on fresh vegetables, adequate protein and healthy natural fats. A very long way, from the junk food she has helped to promote.

To conclude this post. I do not believe dietitians are wholly to blame, for the epidemics of obesity and the often linked type two diabetes, the reasons are myriad. That being said, many (but not all) have played a large role, in the crisis affecting most of the so called first world countries. Check out dietetic organisations in the UK, US, South Africa, Australia, and you will see they are receiving money and sponsorship, from what are now considered junk food outfits. This is not just my opinion. Many, including A1 rated science Professors, Surgeons, Cardiologists, and GP.s and wait for it, dietitians not on the junk food payola treadmill, share the same view. These medical professionals are leading the way forward to better health for millions. What a great pity, so many now regard dietitians, at best a growing irrelevance, and at worst, a health hazard.

As always, any comments, other than obvious troll and from spammers, will be authorised and unedited.

Eddie