WHO hits out over reports on links with food industry

The World Health Organization has attempted to distance itself from the actions of one of its regional offices, which has been found to have taken money from the food industry.

A report by the news agency Reuters last month found that WHO’s regional office the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was taking money from large multinational food companies.1 The investigation found that PAHO had taken $50 000 (£31 000; €39 000) from Coca-Cola, $150 000 from Nestlé, and $150 000 from Unilever, which owns the Walls ice cream brand.

In a lengthy rebuttal Margaret Chan, WHO’s director general, said that the Reuters report and follow-up articles were “creating misinformation and confusion …