British Nutrition Foundation
The British Nutrition Foundation is a British registered charity.[1][2] It has been criticised for conflicts of interest and for acting as an industry lobby group.[3]
Abbreviation | BNF |
---|---|
Formation | 1967 |
Legal status | Registered charity |
Purpose | Provision of information on nutrition science |
Location |
|
Region served | UK |
Director General | Prof Judith Buttriss |
Main organ | BNF Council |
Website | www |
History
It was founded in 1967 by Professor Alastair Frazer. In 1973 it held its first annual conference. 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.[4]
Operations
The BNF's team of nutrition scientists conduct academic reviews of published research on issues of diet and public health.[5] They present their reports in the BNF's Nutrition Bulletin, as well as various Task Force reports, intended for both academic and lay dissemination.[5] The BNF also organises educational programs designed to provide accessible information on diet and health for children and young people, aged 3–16+ years.[6] The BNF's education website, foodafactoflife.org.uk, provides teaching and learning resources about food and nutrition.[6]
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.[7]
Criticism
Concerns have been raised about the BNF's relationship with the food industry.[3] The BNF receives funding from some food manufacturers and distributors in the UK.
The BNF is open about its intention to shape UK Government policy on food,[7] and this has led to concerns that it is serving as a lobbying group for the food industry.[3]
References
- Charity Commission. British Nutrition Foundation, registered charity no. 251681.
- "British Nutrition Foundation, Registered Charity no. SC040061". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
- "Independence of nutritional information?". London: British Medical Journal. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- "Charity framework". London: Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- "Science Programme". British Nutrition Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- "Education Programme". British Nutrition Foundation. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- "Who we are, what we do". London: British Nutrition Foundation. 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Food - a fact of life
- Nutrition Bulletin journal homepage
- British Nutrition Foundation at Spinprofiles.org