Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Sponsorship Update

We are still looking into PepsiCo’s sudden absence from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ list of premier sponsors. We will update you when we know more (i.e.: which party cut ties, whether PepsiCo is still a sponsor in another way, etc.). We’re also waiting to hear about a new AND premier sponsor that should be announced this month.

For now, let’s talk about the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ upcoming conference, FNCE.

A few things to point out (more to come as we get closer to October 15 — the event’s start date):

• This year’s FNCE exhibitor signature sponsors are: Canadian Lentils, the Hass Avocado Board, Hydralyte, Premier Protein, Heartland Food Products Group (Splenda), and Sunsweet prunes.
• This year’s FNCE exhibitor wellness and prevention pavillion sponsors are the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

These are significant improvements from prior years.

• Per the 2016 FNCE exhibitor list, it appears Coca-Cola will, for the second consecutive year, be absent from the expo (the company’s Fairlife milk has a booth). This is significant, as Coca-Cola has always had one of the largest FNCE booths.

• Lastly, let’s take a look at AND’s Foundation events at FNCE. In the recent past, these events were sponsored by the likes of PepsiCo, Kellogg, Nestlé, and ConAgra. At this year’s FNCE, these events are sponsored by:
  • Elanco (a partnership that concerns us)
  • Nature Made
  • Fairlife (Coca-Cola’s pricey low-sugar, high-protein milk)
  • The American Pulse Association
  • The Florida Department of Citrus

Further advocacy is needed, but the corporate sponsorship situation at AND appears to have somewhat improved over the past few years. Here’s to more positive changes!

Continue to respectfully speak out and advocate for an organization that represents registered dietitians in an empowering and positive fashion.