Independence of nutritional information?

Phil Chamberlain’s attack on the governance and reputation of the
British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) (BMJ 27 March 2010) has at its core a
wholly incorrect statement about the Chairman of our Board of Trustees,
along with several other factual inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the
way we work. This has been used in an attempt to undermine our reputation,
integrity and the quality of our work.

The capacity to make objective and independent appraisal of
scientific evidence and our commitment to quality and scientific process
are fundamental to the success of the BNF. Our integrity and independence
are the very essence of why the Foundation is held in such high esteem
within the nutrition and education communities; without these qualities we
would not have support from either our project sponsors or our membership.

To ensure this integrity and independence, the BNF has developed a
rigorous structure of governance that is also followed by many other
organisations. This involves a Board of Trustees, a Council and
scientific committees that are purposely weighted towards independent
academics of the highest repute (lists are available to the public on our
website www.nutrition.org.uk). We operate a Competing Interests register,
have a policy for declaring interests at meetings and have an ethical
policy for members. Our Council, under the leadership of our Honorary
President, not our Board of Trustees, directs our science strategy. Our
sources of income are made publicly available via our website and Annual
Reports. It is made absolutely clear to the companies that support us
financially (all of whom are listed on our website) that they can have no
influence over policy decisions and the scientific outcomes of our work.
Our reputation for integrity and independence is also why the Foundation
continues to flourish among those who commission or use its work in
promoting greater understanding of the role of diet and nutrition in the
health of the population, from governments to educators, from industry to
the media.

Yet the picture Chamberlain attempts to paint is the antithesis of
this and focuses on a false statement: the Chairman of our Board of
Trustees, Paul Hebblethwaite, is not and has never been Chairman of the
Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance.
This letter sets the record straight for your readership.

Professor Alan Shenkin, Honorary President, British Nutrition
Foundation, London WC1V 6RQ

Mr Paul Hebblethwaite, Chair of the Board of Trustees, British
Nutrition Foundation, London WC1V 6RQ; Independent consultant, Sustained
Advantage Ltd.

Professor Judith Buttriss, Director General, British Nutrition
Foundation, London WC1V 6RQ

Competing interests:
None declared