Last month, we posted an Action Alert for RDs to write to the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and voice their concerns regarding McDonald’s status as a “gold sponsor” at the group’s annual conference held earlier this month (the fast food chain also provided lunch for all dietitians).
This is the response everyone received yesterday:
“Dear Colleague,
Thank you for sharing your concerns with the leadership of the California Dietetic Association (CDA). The CDA Executive Board will take your feedback into consideration for future CDA Annual Meeting sponsorships.
When it comes to sponsorships for the CDA Annual Meeting we look to organizations and associations who support the mission and vision of the CDA, which includes a variety of non-profits and corporations. The purpose for the CDA Annual Meeting is to provide educational opportunities for our members to be able to stay abreast with all that is going on related to our field of expertise.
With regards to your concerns regarding McDonalds, the sponsored lunch allowed RDs to taste first-hand a healthier alternative. As Registered Dietitians, we are trained to educate our patients/clients on moderation, balance and variety as a means to develop healthy eating habits.
This philosophy is in accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic’s (Academy) Position Paper on the Total Diet Approach to Healthy Eating that can be found at the following link: http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8356
Again, I do appreciate your feedback and I would encourage you to volunteer with us next year as we plan for the 2014 CDA Annual Meeting.
Regards,
Michelle
Michelle Wien, DrPH, RD, CDE
President
California Dietetic Association
michellewien@yahoo.com
909-558-4300 ext. 47165″
Once again, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics responds to sponsorship concerns with a non-response. Whatever happened to AND’s willingness to engage in dialogue on issues (a phrase they like to employ in press releases whenever they receive criticism from their own constituents)?
The notion that RDs need to eat McDonald’s food (and have a conference sponsored by McDonald’s) to learn about the chain’s “healthy offerings” is terribly disturbing, and demonstrates AND’s tone deafness when it comes to important concerns that puts the Registered Dietitian credential’s credibility at stake.
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