The media frequently report claims by nonprofit consumer groups about alleged health hazards in our food supply and our environment. Often these claims are coupled with suggestions for specific actions to reduce the purported risk of disease or premature death by avoiding or reducing exposure to the allegedly harmful substance.The media frequently report claims by nonprofit consumer groups about alleged health hazards in our food supply and our environment. Often these claims are coupled with suggestions for specific actions to reduce the purported risk of disease or premature death by avoiding or reducing exposure to the allegedly harmful substance.
The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), a consumer education group directed and advised by over 300 leading scientists and physicians, has reviewed many such reports and claims.
After carefully considering the scientific evidence, ACSH concludes that it would be in the best interest of the American consumer if the media treated such reports with a greater degree of skepticism than is currently employed.
By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D. Director of Nutrition, ACSH
Art Director Jennifer Lee
The American Council on Science and Health gratefully acknowledges the comments and contributions of the following individuals who reviewed this work:
Christine M. Bruhn, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Thomas R. DeGregori, Ph.D., University of Houston
Jack C. Fisher, M.D., F.A.C.S., University of California, San Diego
Michael Kamrin, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Manfred Kroger, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
ohn H. Moore, Ph.D., M.B.A., Grove City College
Albert G. Nickel, Lyons Lavey Nickel Swift, Inc.
Joseph D. Rosen, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Gilbert L. Ross, M.D., American Council on Science and Health
Stephen S. Sternberg, M.D. New York
Jeff Stier, Esq., American Council on Science and Health
Aubrey N. Stimola, American Council on Science and Health
Rivka Weiser, American Council on Science and Health
Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H., American Council on Science and Health
Robert J. White, M.D., Ph.D., MetroHealth Medical Center
ACSH accepts unrestricted grants on the condition that it is solely responsible for the conduct of its research and the dissemination of its work to the public. The organization does not perform proprietary research, nor does it accept support from individual corporations for specific research projects. All contributions to ACSH—a publicly funded organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code—are tax deductible.
Good Stories, Bad Science: A Guide for Journalists to the Health Claims of 'Consumer Activist' Groups by American Council on Science and Health on Scribd
