BMJ Reveals Secret Industry Influence on Medical and Science Reporting

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News Release

For Immediate Release:April 5, 2017
For More Information Contact: Gary Ruskin (415) 944-7350

The medical journal BMJ published an article today about how Coca-Cola Co. deployed hidden influences to obtain favorable media coverage on issues of soda and obesity.

“Industry money was used to covertly influence journalists with the message that exercise is a bigger problem than sugar consumption in the obesity epidemic, documents obtained under freedom of information laws show. The documents detail how Coca-Cola funded journalism conferences at a US university in an attempt to create favourable press coverage of sugar sweetened drinks,” the article states.

The BMJ article by Paul Thacker, based on documents obtained by consumer group U.S. Right to Know, is available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1638.full

In October, BMJ published another article, also based in part on documents from U.S. Right to Know, regarding ties between Coca-Cola Co. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That article is available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/355/bmj.i5723.

U.S. Right to Know is a nonprofit organization that investigates the risks associated with the corporate food system, and the food industry’s practices and influence on public policy. We promote the free market principle of transparency – in the marketplace and in politics – as crucial to building a better, healthier food system.

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